This action aims at launching 6 innovation and business challenges where ‘end-user’ will express a challenge to be solved by the use of space data, and especially Copernicus based products. SMEs will have the opportunity to propose innovative ideas and concepts in answer to the business challenge expressed by the end-user. The objective of organizing such contests is twofold: encourage the adoption of space data by new end users, and fostering new business collaboration around Copernicus data through the development of business oriented demonstrators.

Additionally, the promotional impact of the organization of such challenges is vast, due to numerous calls, communications and events.

The targeted fields are Security, Energy, Solar energy, Insurance, Climate and Environment.

The action plan will proceed as follow:

1. CHALLENGE DEFINITION
2. CHALLENGE STARTING EVENT
3. LAUREATE SELECTION
4. DEMONSTRATORS DEVELOPMENT
5. END OF CHALLENGE AND RESTITUTION EVENT

This Action also includes a dedicated funding for the four challenges laureates that will receive a 50k€ grant each to develop a prototype of solution. The relevant ideas received but not selected could be linked to the existing initiatives such as Copernicus Accelerator and Copernicus Incubator.

Outputs and Results:

• 6 challenges, open to all residents of Copernicus-participating countries,
• 50 propositions of innovative solutions,
• 6 laureates that will receive a grant and a dedicated follow-up by the organizer in order to develop concrete demonstrator of product or services.