Fostering Innovation: Exploring the Synergies Between Space Startups and University Incubators in the Space Economy

Given the substantial investments and specialized skills required to enter the space sector, space startups face unparalleled challenges to obtain these resources and survive. University incubators are in a unique position to support space startups offering them knowledge, skills, and networks, while at the same time gaining advantages by hosting space startups. However, the potential synergies that may emerge from the interplay between space startups and university incubators received little attention. This study explores the mutual benefits arising from the collaboration between space startups and university incubators, with a focus on resource exchange. By drawing on the resource management theory framework and examining the collaboration between Astradyne and the BINP incubator at the Polytechnic University of Bari, this study sheds light on how these synergies are realized considering four key categories of resources: financial, human, physical, and network.