The Nordic Software Update: How tenics is Revolutionizing European Space Software

ESA BIC Northern Germany Success Story: tenics Software Engineering GmbH

When Dirk Roßkamp founded tenics in September 2021, he had a clear mission: to awaken space software development from its slumber. „What I always observed is that software engineering in the space sector was very much characterized by rather old processes and old tools,“ explains the founder. This insight from his extensive experience in aerospace became the foundation of impressive growth.

The Turning Point: European Focus Pays Off

Initially, tenics tried to serve both space and related markets. „But soon we wanted to focus on space only,“ he admits openly. The decisive turning point came with strategic focus on the European space sector and joining ESA BIC Northern Germany. „It really developed positively exactly at the moment when we said we’re concentrating on space.“

This decision proved golden. With a packed order book in confirmed contracts plus more in verbal commitments, tenics has proven that the European market is ready for innovative software solutions. The highlight: a major flight software contract with OHB, one of Europe’s leading space companies.

Innovation Through Smart Architecture Decisions

The heart of tenics is the Vector Engine – a modular flight software platform that cleverly integrates selected components from proven flight systems. This architectural decision not only accelerates development but also creates a robust foundation for European space missions.

In parallel, tenics invested personal money in internal product development, not just for the Vector Engine, but also for Dragonfly, their ground software suite for Earth observation data processing. „We wanted to do both contract work and develop our own products,“ explains Roßkamp about the bold dual strategy.

ESA BIC – The Nordic Growth Catalyst

„The network character“ of ESA BIC Northern Germany proved to be a decisive success factor. Not just the financial support, but especially the connections to other ambitious startups like Marble Imaging, with whom tenics develops joint projects, and to industrial partners like OHB made the difference.

From Solo Founder to Seven-Person Team

What began as a one-man company is today a seven-person team with plans for further expansion. „We will hire more people in the coming months and probably double next year,“ Dirk reveals. The recipe for success: a structured recruiting process that tests both technical competence and team fit.

A solid part of ESA BIC Northern Germany – the founders together with other ESA BIC founders. Vltr Manuel Olariu, Prof. Dr. Dr.-Ing. Yilmaz Uygun, Fatih Damat, Dirk Roßkamp, Christian Westendorf, Lukas Focken, Henry Köhler, Gabriele Möhlenkamp

Vision 2030: European Market Leader

The companies vision is ambitious but realistic: „The goal is that we become the leading company in Europe“ for space software. By 2030, tenics should be the established partner for space startups, scale-ups, and established companies. For both flight software and ground processing solutions.

The path leads through the ESA Booster De-Risk Program, with which tenics wants to bring the Vector Engine to market maturity. With solid foundation, clear vision, and the tailwind of the growing European space market, tenics is perfectly positioned to revolutionize software development in the space sector. All while proving that sustainable, organic growth is the key to success.

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About ESA BIC Northern Germany

The Incubation Centre of the European Space Agency in Northern Germany (ESA BIC Northern Germany) is headquartered jointly with the Bremen aeronautics and space industries association at the Bremer Innovations- und Technologiezentrum BITZ as well as the Digihub Industry – two of the largest innovation and technology centres for high-tech companies and startups in the German federal state of Bremen. The ESA BIC Northern Germany brings new startup opportunities to the region and thus strengthens the aeronautics and space sector in the German federal state of Bremen. AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. supports the incubatees with its network, public relations work and targeted coaching not only during the incubation period, but also afterwards as alumni. STARTHAUS Bremen & Bremerhaven is the central point of contact in the Bremen startup ecosystem and supports the startups on all issues relating to business development and financing. The ESA BIC Northern Germany is managed by Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO), an international networking and branding company for the European space programmes that also manages ESA BIC Bavaria with three locations in southern Germany.

Since 2021, ESA BIC Northern Germany has also been offering its service to space-related startups in Schleswig-Holstein. The Technikzentrum Lübeck with GATEWAY49, AviaSpace Bremen and AZO jointly operate this extension of ESA BIC Northern Germany. As of June 2024, ESA BIC Northern Germany also offers its services to space-related startups in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Innovation Port Wismar with AviaSpace Bremen and AZO jointly operate this extension of ESA BIC Northern Germany. There are also plans to extend ESA BIC Northern Germany to the northern German federal states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Berlin-Brandenburg.

Technical support of the ESA BIC Northern Germany, is offered by Fraunhofer IFAM, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, DLR-RY Institute for Space Systems, Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar Research AWI, Universities in the State of Bremen including many institutes such as IUP Institute for Environmental Physics, Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM, TH Lübeck, University Lübeck,  Life Science Nord, Airbus Group, ArianeGroup, AES Aircraft Elektro/Elektronik System, Dräger, DSI Aerospace, Possehl, and OHB.