EIF and Centre National d’Études Spatiales sign cooperation agreement to support SMEs in the space sector

On Wednesday, 22 June 2022, CNES Director of Strategy Jean-Marc Astorg and European Investment Fund (EIF) Chief Executive Alain Godard signed a partnership agreement to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in the space sector at the Guiana Space Centre. Present were European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Kris Peeters, who is responsible for the space and defence sector at the Bank, and Guiana Space Centre Director Marie-Anne Clair.

The EIF and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a similar agreement earlier this year. The agreement comes five months after European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton launched the CASSINI scheme run by the European Union and implemented by the EIF. The CASSINI initiative — aiming to mobilise over €1 billion — is intended to support the development and growth of startups in the fast-growing space sector, encouraging private investment.

This long-term partnership between the CNES and EIF forms part of the CNES’ objectives and performance contract (2022-2025), under which the CNES is responsible for strengthening the competitiveness of the French space sector by supporting the diversification of players in the ecosystem, focusing on the development of disruptive technologies and implementing new partnership models and co-investing with the industry. It is supporting the transition from an infrastructure economy to a data-driven economy, promoting new uses and services.

This partnership establishes a desire for coordination between the parties in four main areas:

• ability to expand actions to support investment in space sector-related activities;
• knowledge sharing;
• advice and coordination on training;
• access to financing and market promotion.

The EIF and EIB — both key project financing players in the European Union and France — wish to expand their presence in the European space sector with the goal to finance around €1 billion a year in these markets.

On the sidelines of this signature ceremony, the EIF and EIB delegation was able to appreciate the commitment of the CNES and its partners (Arianespace, ESA, Guiana region) to modernising the Guiana Space Centre as part of decarbonisation efforts and the arrival of the new Ariane 6 launcher. Meetings were also held with economic and institutional stakeholders from the Guiana region.

Background information

About the EIF

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by helping them to access finance. It designs and implements venture and growth capital operations, as well as guarantee and microfinance instruments specifically targeting this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth, and employment.

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