EARSC Awards 2026 open for applications

Applications are now open for the EARSC Awards 2026, recognising companies, products, and start-ups contributing to the European Earth Observation (EO) sector. The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at EXPANDEO 2026.

Organised by the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies, the awards highlight achievements across the EO value chain, from established companies delivering operational services to emerging start-ups developing new applications based on satellite data.

Three award categories

The 2026 edition includes three categories:

Company Award

Open to Earth Observation companies based in the EU or ESA Member States that have been established for more than five years. The award recognises companies demonstrating market development, contribution to European programmes such as Copernicus Programme, and measurable growth in revenue or employment.

Learn more about Company Awards

Product Award

Recognises innovative EO products that are already operational and used by customers. Eligible products can include platforms, value-added data services, or intermediate EO products supporting areas such as climate monitoring, environmental management, or disaster response.

Learn more about Product Awards

Start-Up Award

Open to companies less than five years old that use Earth Observation data to develop new services or applications. Shortlisted start-ups will be invited to pitch live during EXPANDEO, where the audience will select the winner.

Learn more about Start-Up Award

Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by category:

• Company Award: 18 March 2026
• Product Award: 3 April 2026
• Start-Up Award: 3 April 2026

For the start-up category, five finalists will be selected to pitch in person during EXPANDEO in Brussels.

Additional opportunity for start-ups

The 2026 Start-Up Award is organised in collaboration with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme. Following the event, the winning start-up will receive the opportunity to meet with EUSPA experts and explore ways to leverage EU space data and services, including potential support through initiatives such as CASSINI.

The EARSC Awards take place annually during EXPANDEO, one of the key European events dedicated to the Earth Observation industry.

Companies and start-ups interested in participating can submit their applications through the EARSC website.