ENRICH in the USA Aerospace Sector Focused Tour

ENRICH in the USA Aerospace Sector Focused Tour

June 01 - 05, 2020 (postponed/cancelled)

1. Services offered in this specific call

ENRICH in the USA is launching the Aerospace Sector Focused tour to assist European Union and EU-affiliate headquartered, high-growth startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and/or other research actors with the pursuit of US-based business and investment opportunities. This Aerospace Tour, co-hosted by the Space Coast EDC, provides European stakeholders a powerful entrée to the heart of the United States aerospace industry. The entire Tour provides hyper-focused programming, connections, and services designed to help identify appropriate US market opportunities, execute US market entry, and ensure a sustainable presence of the company amongst renowned aerospace corporations and organizations.

The Aerospace Sector-Focused Tour was made for entrepreneurs with either an aerospace solution – technology, process, or technique - which needs to be demonstrated or needs to be scaled up for US market traction, with relevant customers and partners. After the Tour each participant will: gain a better understanding of the market entry and dynamics for this challenging sector in the U.S.; catalyze promising connections to a local network in the United States – such as Blue Origin and Brazil-based Embraer, Harris, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin, and be better prepared to consider a satellite presence within the region to be closer to critical stakeholders.

During the Tour, the Space Coast EDC, a one-stop resource for confidential site research, workforce program options, intergovernmental and community relations, cost negotiation, data analysis, and creative incentive packages that meet the needs of business today, will provide participants with an immersive experience ripe with business connectivity opportunities. Tour participants will be connected with leaders of the ecosystem, universities, manufacturing resources, incubators, and corporations.

Space Coast; Brevard County, Florida.

Positioned along 72 miles of Florida’s eastern coastline, the Space Coast is the perfect combination of high-tech industry, innovation, and natural wonders. As the hub of the privately-funded space exploration industry, rocket launches adorn scenery such as crystal-blue waters and habitats housing over 4,000 animal species. The region, which is home to just over 568,000 people, boasts world-known locations such as the Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.

Business Environment

The birthplace of NASA has evolved into the prime location for the aerospace and aviation industry. Since October 2010, the county has seen tremendous growth in this sector with 22 aerospace project announcements creating 6,244 jobs. This represents over 2 billion dollars in capital investment. Industry top names such as the commercial human space flight company Blue Origin and Brazil-based Embraer join others such as Harris, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin is calling the Space Coast an integral part of their success in the aerospace and aviation sector.

The innovative spirit that launched the space shuttle program is still thriving today with a robust support system for entrepreneurship in high-tech industry. The Space Coast is known throughout Florida as one of the best places to start or grow a business. This movement is supported locally by programs such as high-tech incubator Groundswell Startups, The Space Coast FabLab, weVenture, the Small Business Development Center, and CAMID, (the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design at FIT), supporting corporations of all sizes in finding cost-effective solutions to manufacturing and engineering design challenges.

Transportation

As the world’s only quintimodal community, offering transportation infrastructure in air, land, rail, sea, and space, Brevard County is a top name in business sectors such as aerospace, aviation, defense, communications, and more. Port Canaveral, one of the world's most dynamic and exciting ports, is a world-class gateway for cruises, cargo, recreation, and logistics, as well as a gateway to new frontiers, including space. With less than one hour transit time from sea buoy to dock, the Port’s channel is the most-accessible East Coast port in Florida. Annually, Port Canaveral hosts more than 4 million revenue cruise passengers through its state-of-the-art terminals and 5.5 million of tons of cargo, including bulk, break-bulk, project, and containerized. The Port is strategically located to service all Florida markets, as well as the Southeastern United States. Currently, the Port reaches a population of more than 58 million people in the Southeast United States, as well as markets in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. In addition to world class cruise facilities and diverse cargo operations, Port Canaveral offers more recreational opportunities than all other Florida deep-water seaports combined, including public parks, free public boat ramps, marinas, an entertainment district, and the seven-story interactive exhibit and event venue Exploration Tower.

For the final frontier, the Space Coast is one of only three areas in the country that currently conduct commercial orbital launches. Together, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are home to the most U.S. commercial launches.

Higher Learning

Local high-learning institutes, educators, and leaders foster innovation and entrepreneurship for economic growth. Several state-run colleges call Brevard home. Eastern Florida State College offers bachelor and associate degrees in growing fields such as health care and business computer information technology, as well as certificate and trade programs, like welding. Also in the region is the University of Central Florida (UCF), the nation’s second largest university, offering more than 210 degree programs for bachelor and graduate degrees.

Florida Institute of Technology is a national, private, research-intensive university offering bachelor's, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, computing, science, aeronautics, business, psychology, education and communication. It is ranked a Tier 1 Best National University by U.S. News & World Report and has been named to The Wall Street Journal’s list of best U.S. Universities. Based in the city of Melbourne on Florida’s “Space Coast,” Florida Tech is located at the heart of the area’s commercial space, aerospace, cybersecurity, and high-tech manufacturing cluster, regularly contributing the research expertise of its faculty and the skilled professionalism of its graduates to organizations such as Harris Corporation, Northrop Grumman, Embraer, SpaceX and NASA - Kennedy Space Center. The university’s numerous research programs include The Harris Center for Information Assurance, Buzz Aldrin Space Institute, Aerospace Systems and Propulsion Laboratory, and Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control. The ACE 8 Florida delegation will see first-hand Florida Tech’s world-class research and teaching programs in vital disciplines including computer security, aerospace systems, advanced manufacturing, and climate science. Learn more about Florida Tech at www.fit.edu.

Eligible participants may either have companies already incorporated or planning to incorporate, already proven their technologies at least at lab scale, and able to send personnel chiefly responsible for technology and/or business development. Participants who attend the Tour must be either responsible for technical sales and/or have invented and is responsible for the future development and scale-up of the product.

This Tour will accept up to 20 participants. If 20 qualified participants who meet the eligibility and other selection criteria apply, a waiting list will be created; therefore, you are highly encouraged to apply for the Tour immediately upon interest. If any spots on the Tour become available, potential participants on the waiting list will be invited on a first-come, first-serve basis, so long as they also meet the eligibility and selection criteria. The Tour is open to EU Member States and Horizon 2020 Associated Countries aerospace and related (further defined in Target Group section) stakeholders. This tour gives participants the opportunity to:

• Create US-based aerospace technologies and/or business opportunities for EU and EU-affiliate startups and entities
• Find financial support for EU startups and entities
• Explore facilities and programs to serve as a Soft Landing destination for EU startups and entities to be closer to the first two aims
• To find opportunities, through engagement with leading players from the business, investment, and regulatory domains of a top U.S. ecosystem for aerospace technologies and ventures.

Tentative Schedule

Introduction

Selected participants will meet virtually with both the Space Coast EDC and ENRICH in the USA US staff, to best understand what connections could be made while in the region. On Fridays leading up to the Tour.

Participants will travel to Titusville, Florida, and are expected to arrive no later than by mid-day May 31, 2020. The following itinerary for the Tour is below for June 1-5, 2020

Day 1 - June 1

• Presentation of the Brevard Economy with concentration on the manufacturing sector - Elizabeth Huy, EDC
• Presentation of the Space Coast Innovation Eco-System - Dr Abram Walton
• Presentation on The changing Space Economy - Space FLORIDA
• Tour Groundswell StartUps – an incubator located in the Space Coast
• Presentation of Groundswelll resident and supported companies

Day 2- June 2

• Tour of BRIDG (a $50 million microelectronics fabrication facility/200mm wafer fab accelerator)
• Presentation of capability solutions for commercialization /BRIDG
• Tour of RUAG Space - European (Swiss) 2017 manufacturing investment (FDI) producing satellite structures for the growing satellite market
• Tour One Web - French co-venture satellite production facility

Day 3 - June 3

• Meeting with Local Press - discuss mission of Enrich Program and findings
• Presentation of Enrich Companies - to Space Coast business and manufacturing community
• Presentation of local entrepreneurial company
• Enrich Program participants Attend, present and sponsor To EDC Board of Directors - attend welcome reception with leading Space Coast business (sponsorship will be absurd by fee - no additional cost)

Day 4 - June 4

• A tour of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design at the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). This will include demonstrations of technical capabilities and networking with resident companies. Additionally, this day will include facilitated interface with target industry Space Coast companies.

Day 5- June 5

• All-day Kennedy Space Center tour This will be a behind the scenes tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the birthplace of the U.S. Space Program. It will include historical landmarks, highlight technologically significant milestones since the inception of the U.S. Space Program and introduce attendees to new space infrastructure and activity at the NASA center.

Expected outcomes and impact per participant: 

• ≥2 business connections per participant resulting in direct follow-up between participants and potential customers and/or industrial partner
• ≥1 participant obtaining an investment prospect from either a business and/or other lead

2. Target Group of this Call

Applicants must be taxpayers in an EU Member State or Associated Country AND/OR be an EU Member State or Associated Country passport holder.

• Startups and SMEs developing innovations and products
• Researchers
• Large corporation executives in R&D, Engineering, Product Development, Manufacturing, Operations, Business Development and/or Financial Departments
• Cluster coordinators
• Economic development organizations
• Multipliers
• Industry and trade organization representatives
• Local or regional government representatives
• University administrators
• Science/Technology/Industry/Research/University Park executives

Aerospace and related products/services relevant in the fields of aerospace and aeronautics are all welcome to apply. This may include products directly used in aerospace activities or component products and innovations. Please contact us for any questions regarding eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• If an individual, applicant must be a taxpayer in an EU MSAC AND/OR be an EU MS/AC passport holder
• If incorporated, applicant must pay taxes in an EU MS/AC AND/OR have as the majority of shareholders EU MS/AC passport holder
• Be able to communicate (read and speak) in English

3. Funding Principle

Thanks to support for this Bootcamp by the European Commission, the cost per participant for all expenses is a non-reimbursable fee of 1,150€. This highly reduced participant fee covers two meals per day, entrance fees to associated events/venues, and transportation to/from hotel and all Tour sessions.

Participants must cover the costs for flights to and from the United States, and other costs not mentioned above (e.g. ESTA/VISA application costs, health insurance, accommodation, dinners, etc.).

4. Submission Procedure

All applicants must register at the electronic submission tool F6S under  https://www.f6s.com/aerospacesector-focusedtour.

It is highly advised again, that interested applicants apply as soon as possible, and not wait for the application deadline, as eligible applicants who meet the selection criteria will be invited to the Tour in the order in which they applied. ENRICH in the USA staff will assist with questions or portal issues for applicants. Besides basic information, applicants must complete a checklist to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria and each section of the application.

In F6S, the applicant is asked to register and provide general and personal information, (such as name, institution, organization type, contact details, and specific questions referring to the organization type). All applicants must acknowledge that they are aware that some costs have to be covered individually.

Applicants must complete all required questions in the F6S application and confirm that they:

• Engage in commercial and/or research activities within the aerospace and related industries (see previous section for definition/areas of alignment)
• Are a major decision-maker in executing new customer, supplier, or partnership relationship developments
• Have a sincere interest in US-based business, technology development, and/or other partnership collaboration opportunities and be a decision-maker in potential location scouting activities

The questions listed under Specific Questions were designed to help both the applicant and Host organizations foster ideal connections within the ecosystem, as well as to refine the Tour itinerary. These questions include:

• What types of products/services and/or research does your organization develop? If you do not directly conduct technology development, please indicate if you have stakeholders (customers/clients, members, tenants, etc.) that do conduct technology development and in what areas relevant to the Tour sector.
• What are your expectations from the ENRICH in the USA Aerospace Sector-Focused Tour Tour?
• Why are you interested in learning more about the US market?
• Please list particular companies, investors, and/or institutions you are interested in being connected to inside the region this Tour is held.

Note that all application responses have to be submitted in English.

5. Evaluation and Selection Procedure

The fundamental principles governing the evaluation of the applications are:

• Transparency: The process for selecting applicants will be clearly described and made available to any interested party.
• Fairness and Equality of treatment: All applications shall be treated alike, irrespective of where they originate or the identity of the applicants.
• Ethical and Legal considerations: Any application that contravenes ethical principles and legal regulations may be excluded from being evaluated and rejected at any time.

Selected participants must meet basic eligibility criteria and participant fee must be received by May 1, 2020. Applicants who meet the criteria will be contacted with payment information.

Step 1:

Eligibility Check: Will be done by the ENRICH in the USA staff following the criteria defined in section 3:

1. If they meet the respective eligibility criteria (outlined above)
2. If they meet the respective target group for this call (outlined above)

Step 2:

Selection: Applicants who meet the optimal selection criteria and satisfactorily answer the Specific Questions outlined in Section 5 listed above, will be invited to the Tour. Unanswered or partially completed questions will not be considered to move forward in the process. A team formed of ENRICH in the USA staff will review applications in the F6S portal, every two weeks leading up to the application deadline.

Step 3:

Scoring: All applicants will be evaluated on a five-star evaluation scale – if applicants can confirm all three selection criteria statements and answer all four of the Specific Questions thoughtfully, they will earn a 5-star rating.

Step 4:

Admission: The first 20 candidates with 5 star-ratings will be invited to attend the Tour. Within two weeks of applying, if not sooner, applicants will be notified of their selection.

Please note: ENRICH in the USA is beholding the right to create a waitlist of suitable candidates reaching the necessary 5 stars score.

6. Time Schedule

7. Contacts

For questions regarding the ENRICH in the USA Aerospace Tour, please contact:

[1] ENRICH in the USA has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 733286.