[SatNews] Submit a great satnav idea and win a prize with ESA support to create your own business.

Previous winning ideas today guide visitors around exhibition centres, help position offshore ships with centimetre accuracy and spot pollution in waterways. The eighth European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) began on 1 April. Inventors and entrepreneurs can propose their ideas on how to use satellite navigation technology in new applications on Earth. The winners will get the chance to turn them into viable businesses with the support from business incubations centers throughout Europe.

What began in Bavaria in 2004 as the ‘Galileo Masters’ with just three regions has turned into the global ESNC, with more than 20 high-tech regions. Many of the thousand-plus ideas submitted have turned into new businesses in Europe. Each region offers a prize to its winners. Special topic prizes sponsored by partners from industry and research add to the 1 million euros prize pool. The best overall idea is awarded the Galileo Master grand prize of 20,000 euros and the opportunity to realize the project during a six-month incubation program. Other organisations also award prizes. The ESA Special Prize is awarded for the best idea that can be quickly nurtured into a profitable business with the technical and financial assistance from one of our five, soon to become six, ESA Business Incubation Centres. The winner will also receive a 10,000 euros cash award.