The Copernicus Masters 2020 – Europe’s leading innovation competition for EO – is in search of outstanding applications, solutions, and services from future-oriented SMEs, startups, universities and individuals in the fields of business, research, and higher education that tackle important challenges faced by business and society.
From 1 April to 30 June, participants in the Copernicus Masters 2020 can submit their innovative EO application or service to 9 challenges offered by the following world-class partners: European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission (EC), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Planet, BayWa, Airbus with sobloo, and the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). At the same time, they have the possibility of entering up to 13 brand-new Copernicus Prizes co-funded by EC with up to EUR 10,000 each.
“ESA measures the pulse of our planet. Earth observation helps us to better understand what happens on Earth and simultaneously provides a solution to monitor our planet. In order to solve current environmental and societal challenges, we need to invest in innovation. The Copernicus Masters is an innovative driver for future-oriented applications and services using EO data. It supports the commercialisation of businesses and creates new results,” states Josef Aschbacher, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes. ESA is an initiating partner of the Copernicus Masters and has set a challenge every year since 2011.
Participants can demonstrate their innovative use of EO data across a wide variety of challenge topics, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing, data analytics, health, smart farming, and digital transportation – to name just a few.
“Since 2011, the Copernicus Masters competition has evolved into the leading innovation competition for promoting user uptake of EO data in a commercial, societal and sustainable context. This year, the European Commission is contributing 2 new challenges and co-funding the brand-new Copernicus Prizes with up to EUR 10,000 each. This makes the Copernicus Masters even more attractive,” adds Thorsten Rudolph, Managing Director of AZO, the competition organiser.
Together with cash prizes, challenge winners will receive access to an international ecosystem of leading Earth observation organisations, substantial satellite data quotas, and individual business development support. The Overall Winner will receive an additional cash prize of EUR 10,000.
For more details on this year’s challenges, prizes, and partners, please visit www.copernicus-masters.com
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