Future of Retail is an upcoming new opportunity for businesses to submit proposals to develop innovative services that leverage space technology for the benefit of the retail sector. Selected projects can access 75% funding by the European Space Agency (ESA), up to €75 000 per activity.
The call for proposals will be officially presented on October 1, 2025 during a free webinar.
The challenge
The impacts of climate change on supply chains, pressing sustainability imperatives and increasingly savvy consumers pose challenges that retail businesses must solve to remain commercially successful. Against this backdrop, emerging technologies and data are also presenting exciting new opportunities for retailers to transform the way they reach their shoppers and engage with them.
These are areas where new services could be developed under the ESA initiative:
Immersive retail: there has been a dramatic leap in retail personalisation driven by technology such as generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) that anticipates consumer needs with precision. For example, dynamic pricing systems offer personalised deals based on spending habits. Augmented Reality (AR) is also making its debut into the retail sector, guiding customers to specific products or promotional areas.
Supply chain transparency and resilience: supply chains in retail are more and more focused on transparent and climate-conscious approaches to meet the demands of increasingly informed consumers. Resilience in supply chains is also a key factor for retailers, supported by predictive analytics to forecast demand spikes and potential shortages.
Autonomous retail: self-operating shops, automated warehouses and autonomous delivery vehicles are expected to become more and more common. This trend towards automation is not only about cutting costs; it’s about offering a more seamless and convenient shopping experiences.
Connected retail: digital technologies facilitate real-time monitoring of sales data, inventory levels, and customer traffic. This data-driven approach allows connected retail businesses to make informed decisions, identify trends and respond quickly to market changes.
What ESA is looking for
The European Space Agency is looking for promising early-stage service concepts addressing topics of relevance with the following:
Desirability: service concepts wanted by customers, evidenced through customer engagement.
Viability: service concepts that are commercially viable / profitable.
Feasibility: service concepts that are technically feasible.
Motivated teams with business, technical, and financial expertise.
Added value of space data or technology.
Some of the potential technologies and applications may be:
Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO)
Market insights: identification of potential store locations by assessing population density, urban development trends, or consumer behaviours.
Sustainability monitoring: using SatEO data combined with blockchain to verify sustainable sourcing practices.
Assessment of new store locations by monitoring customer traffic.
Satellite Communications (SatCom)
Satellite Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (SatPNT)
Autonomous delivery vehicles leveraging SatPNT.
Real-time tracking of goods in transit, allowing retailers to predict delays and optimise delivery routes.
Smart warehousing using AI-powered robots leveraging SatPNT for precise navigation, accurate inventory management and faster order fulfilment.
Why and how to participate
ESA offers funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. The offer includes:
75% funding by the European Space Agency, up to €75,000, for each selected activity. The maximum total project cost is €100,000.
Technical and commercial guidance.
Access to our network and partners.
Use of the ESA brand for your service.
Zero-equity funding.
Kickstarts are six-month Feasibility Studies designed to determine if a service is technically feasible, commercially viable, and wanted by users. The studies must involve at least one space asset, such as satellite communications, Earth Observation, or navigation.
The call will open on 6 October 2025 and close applications on 23 January 2026.
Information about the full application process is available on the official webpage of the call.
