PICOSATS - Space Technologies Solutions, the startup created as a spin-off from the University of Trieste and specialised in the design and production of small, state-of-the-art satellite telecommunications systems, has won the first edition of the Innovative SME Award.

The prize is awarded by InnovUp – the association that has represented and united the Italian innovation sector since 2012 – in collaboration with InValue, with the aim of valorising small and medium-sized Italian companies that stand out for their capacity for innovation, technological impact and contribution to the country's economic and social progress.

Selected by Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico ‘Andrea Galvani’ as the winner of the regional level for Friuli Venezia Giulia, PICOSATS went on to win the title of Innovative SME of the Year in the national competition.

The company, based at the Area Science Park in Padriciano, develops proprietary transponders and antennas - RADIOSAT and BEAMSAT - providing services for space applications dedicated to small satellites. The business is based on strategic partnerships with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

In November 2023, PICOSATS' technology was integrated on board D-Orbit's ION satellite carrier in SpaceX's Transponder-9 mission, with a very successful in-orbit validation.

PICOSATS outperformed the competition of four other SME finalists, selected by several Italian technology parks. Aortic Lab, a candidate from Piedmont and supported by the Bioindustry Park with Environment Park, Sigma Ingegneria, representing Tuscany and selected by the Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio, Optoelettronica Italia, a company from the province of Trento recommended by Trentino Sviluppo, and Faba, a company from Veneto.

‘The InnovUp award is a great honour for us, especially because of the stature of the other finalists, innovative SMEs that do exceptional work,’ commented Anna Gregorio, professor of Astrophysics at the University of Trieste, founder and president of PICOSATS.

‘The most important aspect of PICOSATS,’ continued the lecturer from the Physics Department at UniTS, ‘is the team! Working with very young boys and girls is each day more enjoyable and stimulating. Added to this, of course, is the technology, which to be at the cutting edge in the space sector is extremely expensive.’

During the award ceremony, Anna Gregorio also mentioned the role of the investment funds - Liftt, Progress Tech Transfer and Galaxia - and all the partners. She concluded by thanking the University of Trieste - where the PICOSATS story began ten years ago - Area Science Park and Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico, emphasising the importance of science and technology parks as places of innovation.