CDE space related start-ups and innovation in EO*GI science

We support our students in their early career steps and are grateful for funding opportunities such as ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs). The Copernicus Master in Digital Earth programme board and faculty is impressed by student’s achievements in exceptional scientific development contributions in the domains Earth Observation, Geoinformatics and Digital Earth.

Start-up

Wematics is the first ESA BIC startup in Salzburg, Austria founded by CDE students and headed by Max Aragon, it fills the gap in current operational weather monitoring systems (Science Park Graz); Termatics is an Earth Observation (EO) spinoff from the University of Salzburg with three CDE alumni as founding members: Max Aragon, Carla Arellano and Jose Gomez.

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Innovation

CloudSEN12 is a benchmark dataset for cloud-contaminated imagery developed by Cesar Cesar Luis Aybar Camacho, a CDE student. “It is the largest public database in this respect, a very valuable source for scientist working in the field to improve the current cloud detection algorithms, especially also for regions beyond Europe/US“, Dirk Tiede, Department of Geoinformatics Z_GIS, University of Salzburg.

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One of the special features in this EMJM is a start-ups & innovation emphasis where students are supported on how to launch or work with start-ups emerging out of the programme. Beyond coursework, practical innovation, business model development, prototyping and possibly start-up incubation are part of the experience. Innovation focuses on student research and innovation in the development of EO in order to discover and promote self-directed learning and creativity in the development of individual projects.

What this means for prospective students:

If you enrol, you’ll have the opportunity not just to study, you may also participate in or found a start-up, particularly in the domain of Earth observation, Geoinformatics, or Digital Earth technologies.
Start-ups like “Termatics” and “Wematics” have been founded by programme alumni, with support from the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre Austria (ESA BIC) and other partners.
We encourage creative problem-solving and students can bring in fresh ideas and perspectives; innovation shall encourage students to combine science technology and creativity to develop new tools, apps, or analysis methods. Some CDE examples have been listed above such as CloudSEN12, VirtuGhan or the Cupurrnicus and Digital Earth game.