ESA Φ-lab invites you to join a dynamic three-day event in the heart of Europe’s Earth Observation disruptive innovation hub. Held at ESA-ESRIN (Frascati, Italy), from 23 to 25 June 2026, this event event brings together forward-thinking researchers, bold entrepreneurs, and technology pioneers to explore the future of Earth observation.
Framed around groundbreaking ideas and transformative innovation, this gathering will spotlight disruptive technologies and approaches that could redefine the future of Earth Observation, exploiting transformative innovations like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Quantum, Neuromorphic, Edge and Bio-inspired Computing, Metamaterials and Surfaces, Immersive Visualisation, Cognitive Space, Computational Imaging, and many more.
Φnnovation Summit is not your typical conference. Designed to be interactive and community-driven, the programme features many parallel sessions, with formats chosen by the attendees themselves - whether it is a fast-paced PechaKucha, an open Fishbowl dialogue or the Main Plenary in the mornings.
This is where your ideas will take flight! Researchers, tech and business innovators alike will find a space to connect, collaborate and inspire. This event offers a rare opportunity to engage in bold, open dialogue on how emerging technologies can accelerate progress in Earth Observation and beyond
The main plenary will run each morning and present the audience with numerous panels and key-note speeches, delivered by representatives from both space agencies, industries and academia.
Meet the visionaries driving the future of Earth Observation - leading researchers, pioneering entrepreneurs, and bold thinkers shaping the next wave of innovation
This is your chance to shape the conversation. You are invited to propose and organise side events, deciding the theme and selecting a format. These interactive sessions are designed to encourage deeper exploration, bold thinking and cross-disciplinary exchanges.
Entities interested in organizing their side event at the Φ-nnovation Summit can express their interest by clicking on the dedicated link that will be available soon.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
During the Summit you have the opportunity to showcase your project in the form of an oral presentation in one of the sessions on the stage, or to bring your poster and showcase it and present it during the coffee breaks.
If you’re interested in showcasing your project, please register your interest by clicking on the link below.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
A limited number of scholarship and funding opportunities are available to support student participation in the Φnnovation Summit 2026.
With only limited spots, the Pitch Hour is designed to showcase fresh perspectives and early-stage innovation. Each day concludes with a Pitch Hour winner, who will be offered the opportunity to join ESA Φ-lab as a Visiting Researcher; winners are awarded on stage on the final day of the conference.
The Pitch Hour sessions are sponsored by the ESA Education Office, covering costs for 12 tertiary education students attending under the ESA Academy Conference Student Sponsorship programme.
More information are available below in section PITCH HOUR.
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) provides grants to support Canadian post‑secondary students attending eligible space conferences and training events (including the Φnnovation Summit 2026).
Grants may cover registration fees, travel, and other eligible participation costs.
Eligibility: Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and enrolled in a Canadian post‑secondary institution (college, undergraduate, master’s or doctoral level) at the time of the event.
Deadline: 21 April 2026, 13:00 (EDT).
More information available HERE .
During the event, talented students (BSc, MSc and PhD) will take the stage to deliver 5-minute pitches showcasing their bold ideas and research in Earth Observation and emerging technologies.
With only limited spots, this session is designed to highlight fresh perspectives and early-stage innovation. Each day will conclude with the selection of a Pitch Hour winner, who will be offered the opportunity to join ESA Φ-lab as a Visiting Researcher. The winners will be awarded on stage during the last day of the conference. The pitch hour sessions will be sponsored by ESA Education Office that will cover the costs for the 12 tertiary education students that will attend the Φnnovation Summit 2026 under the ESA Academy Conference Student Sponsorship programme. More information on this sponsorship opportunity are available here.
Don’t miss your chance to share your vision - apply early to secure your spot!
Students interested in participating to the Pitch Hour at Φnnovation Summit can express their interest by clicking on the link below.
Submissions open until 30 April 23:59 CET
A networking session designed to spark new collaborations! Innovation Speed Dating will connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators through a series of quick, focused one-on-one conversations with ESA staff members (15 minutes max.).
Participants interested in participating to the Innovation Speed Dating can express their interest by clicking on the Innovation Speed Dating box in the Event Registration Form.
Founded by ESA’s InCubed programme, and organized by IngeniArs, the EO MakerSpace Hackathon invites innovation community to co-create the next generation of AIdriven smart sensors.This is a call to makers, researchers, start-ups, and visionaries who want to shape the future of how Earth is observed and understood. Five Selected Projects will be presented during the.
Apply here by 15 March and enjoy the opportunity of presenting your project at Φnnovation Summit.
On 23 June, join us for a relaxed ESA-hosted Cocktail and Buffet Dinner, an informal moment to unwind, connect with fellow participants, and spark new conversations over a refreshing drink.
Participants interested in participating to the hosted Cocktails and Buffet Dinner can can express their interest by clicking on dedicated box in the Event Registration Form
On 24 June, an elegant evening of fine dining and high-level exchange, the Gala Dinner will offer a unique opportunity to connect with leaders, innovators, and peers in a relaxed setting, fostering meaningful conversations and lasting collaborations. The location of the Gala Dinner will be the fine dining Cacciani Restaurants in Frascati.
Participants interested in attending the Gala Dinner can check the Gala Dinner box in the event registration portal and proceed with the payment of the fee.
Looking to keep the conversation going over dinner? On 25 June, join one of our informal, non-hosted Thematic Dinners: small groups gathered around three curated topics: Technology Push; Innovation Impact; Foundation Models, GenAI and Quantum Computing. This will be an opportunity to dive deeper into shared interests, meet new people and enjoy good food.
Sign up through the dedicated WhatsApp channel and pull up a chair!
Participants interested in attending one of the thematic dinners can check the dedicated box in the event registration form to receive additional information and the link to the Whatsapp Group.
On 26 June you will have the opportunity to join an unforgettable cultural trip to Rome. Details will be provided soon.
Participants interested in attending the cultural trip can express their interest by checking the dedicated box on the event registration form and will be re-contacted for additional information and finalization of the cultural trip fee payment.
Dedicated to ESA’s Earth-observing activities, ESA-ESRIN is the European centre of excellence for exploitation of Earth observation missions. The mission and payload operations of ESA's Earth observation satellites are managed here, and ESRIN is the primary source for the acquisition, distribution, and exploitation of data from these and other non-ESA satellites.
ESA Φ-lab accelerates the future of Earth Observation (EO) through disruptive and transformational innovation and commercialisation actions, aiming to strengthen the world-leading competitiveness of the European EO industrial and scientific sectors.
We firmly believe in the potential of truly transformative ideas and the power of compelling partnerships to accelerate the future of Earth Observation.
Our core strength lies in our ability to connect people and ideas. We foster and generate transformative ideas, nurture and mature a select few, and evolve them into practical solutions or products that generate traction. For innovation with a strong commercial appeal, we provide investment, business and technical support through the InCubed programme, ensuring a supported journey to market adoption.
ESA Φ-lab uniquely manages the entire innovation cycle, spanning from blue-sky ideas to tangible impacts within the commercial, scientific and NGO communities; we discover, nurture, mature, fund, and finally generate impact.
