In the middle of NL Space Week, the space community gathered at Space Expo for the XL edition of Network & Drinks event, designed to bring together industry leaders, aspiring talent, and space enthusiasts for an evening of collaboration, inspiration, and networking. Held at the heart of the Dutch space ecosystem, this special gathering not only facilitated meaningful exchanges but also highlighted the ever-growing potential of the space sector.
A Major Networking Hub
The Network & Drinks XL 2024 was the biggest space networking event this year in the Netherlands, coinciding with NL Space Week and the ASE Planetary Congress. The over 300 attendees joined for a mixed programme of networking, socialising, updates, pitches and more. The atmosphere of the Space Expo venue added to the unique vibe of this edition, with a DJ providing lively music, food and drinks circulating throughout the event, an ice cream stand, and a playful orange rocket creating a festive ambiance for networking and socializing. As always, a careful balance was intended between the main part of the evening and the more relaxed, social segment.
The evening began with an inspiring address from Afke van Rijn, Director General at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. In her speech, she highlighted the critical role of space data in our society, emphasising that “our society relies on inclusive services based on data collected from space.” She discussed the significance of Earth observation in various sectors, including weather forecasting, climate adaptation, and urban planning. Van Rijn stressed the importance of cooperation among government, businesses, and knowledge institutes in building a collaborative community for future innovations. One of these valuable cooperations was held that same day in the EO4IMPACT event organised by the ITC faculty of the University of Twente and NL Space Campus as part of the ‘Earth Observation Day’.
In fact, that same day, the ITC Faculty and NL Space Campus further solidified their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement marks a crucial step in advancing space data innovations, particularly in areas like Resource Security, Disaster Resilience, and Geo-AI, by merging ITC’s academic expertise with industry needs.
In addition, the Space Lady of the Year Award was one of the key highlights, celebrating women making impactful contributions to the space sector.
NL Space Campus Network & Drinks XL edition included the festive One Space Hub Platform Launch, where attendees learned about this new initiative through interactive displays, a photo booth, and a designated networking area.
Network & Drinks Highlights
Moonshots Transition to Space for Talent
The event touched on the conclusion of the NL Moonshots ’24 programme, with its final event having taken place during the 35th ASE Congress. But as Dutch astronaut André Kuipers noted during NL Moonshots’24 finals, “The search for talent continues, both on Earth and in space. We desperately need young people with bright ideas to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.” For this reason, NSO, SpaceNed and NL Space Campus kicked off the new “Space for Talent” programme at MBO Rijnland on 2 October with Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins
One Space Hub Platform Launch
The One Space Hub Platform was officially launched, aimed at easing the entrepreneurial journey for current and future space industry entrepreneurs. Project manager Parya Pasha explained, “We have built an educational institute with individuals who have previously competed against each other but have come together to create something truly remarkable.” The platform promises to support space enthusiasts at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey, making programmes more aligned, visible, and accessible.
Collaboration with the University of Twente – ITC Faculty & NL Space Campus
Another exciting announcement came with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Twente’s ITC Faculty and NL Space Campus. This academic partnership will leverage ITC’s expertise in geo-information science to drive forward space data innovations, focusing on themes like Resource Security, Disaster Resilience, and Geo-AI. The collaboration promises to combine academic research with industry needs, creating opportunities for students and researchers to directly engage with space technologies.
Reflecting on importance of this collaboration, Marc Sandelowsky, Director of NL Space Campus, stated: “We are proud to welcome the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) at the University of Twente as a valuable addition to our NL Space Campus ecosystem. Building strong partnerships with leading knowledge institutions like the Leiden, Delft, and Erasmus (LDE) universities has been key to our development, and ITC’s expertise, particularly in Earth Observation data, will strengthen our efforts even further. Their contributions through initiatives like One Space Hub, Earth Observation Day and EO4IMPACT have already proven impactful, and we look forward to even greater collaboration as we advance our work with NL PhiLab and the Space and Resilience impact centre.”
The MoU between the organisations was made public by a video describing the importance of close partnerships in the space ecosystem and the ceremonial signing of a plate commemorating the MoU by ITC’s vice-dean of education Victor Jetten and Wim van den Doel, chair of the board of Stichting NL Space Campus.
LDE NL Space Campus Summer School Reunion
The event also featured a reunion for LDE NL Space Campus Summer School alumni, providing a chance for former participants to reconnect and share their progress. Daan Molhuijsen, an LDE NL Space Campus Summer School alumnus, reflected on their recent reunion and his journey since the programme. “After a few months since the programme, it was nice to reconnect and see how everyone had progressed with their projects,” he shared. Daan became a team member of Tumbleweed after meeting their representatives during summer school, where he learned about their focus on innovative solutions for space applications. He emphasized the importance of such gatherings in strengthening connections within the space community.
19 Pitches + Announcement of New Member on campus
The over 300 attendees had the chance to participate in spontaneous 30-second pitch sessions—an excellent opportunity to share ideas and projects with industry leaders and investors. With limited spots for pitches available on a first-come, first-served basis, early arrivals secured their chance to take the stage. This year, 19 pitchers seized the stage to present their innovative ideas during the spontaneous pitches session. The excitement peaked when one of pitch rounds also included the announcement of a new SBIC (Space Business Innovation Centre) member RegenRate establishing themselves on campus, showcasing yet another addition to the thriving startup ecosystem.
Space Lady of the Year Award
A notable moment during the event was the presentation of the Space Lady of the Year Award 2024, which celebrates women who have made significant contributions to the space sector. The award was presented to Joanna Ruiter, Senior Advisor Space at the Netherlands Space Office. In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude to the supportive network of women in the space community, saying, “The connection and informal support I’ve experienced from this group has been truly overwhelming in the best way. Let’s continue uplifting each other as we push the boundaries of what’s possible in space.”
“We are Starting to see the Fruits of our Efforts from Previous Years”: Reflecting on the event
Maaike Smelter, the event host and Community Manager at NL Space Campus, shared her thoughts: “This edition was especially remarkable due to the strong international presence, including ESA representatives. The event was fully booked before it even began, which speaks volumes about the growing interest and engagement within our space community.”
She acknowledged the importance of working together, stating, “We are starting to see the fruits of our efforts. More initiatives are coming to life, and our network is expanding, bringing in diverse perspectives and expertise.”
See You Next Time!
The Network & Drinks XL event was an incredible success, but it won’t be back until next year. However, you can still join the regular monthly editions this year on 31 October and 28 November. Plus, don’t miss the special edition for students startups and young professionals, Connecting the Curious, at Space Tech Expo Europe Bremen on 20 November, 2024. It’s another exciting opportunity to pitch, network, and explore the ever-expanding possibilities of the space industry.
Stay curious, and we’ll see you next time!
