On 27 March 2025, NL Space Campus hosted a special edition of its monthly Network & Drinks at ZIE 2025 in Rotterdam. Organised as part of the broader ZIE programme, the session brought together people from the space community and other sectors including high-tech manufacturing, maritime, and defence.
ZIE 2025 focused on shared challenges across industries, such as digitalisation, supply chains, and applied innovation. Throughout the day, NL Space Campus helped facilitate knowledge exchange by moderating several sessions, co-hosting the ESA Technology Broker NL booth with SBIC Noordwijk, and ending the day with Network & Drinks.
A Different Setting, New Connections
By joining ZIE, the networking event offered a chance to meet with communities who may not normally attend space-focused events, offering opportunities for new conversations, meetups and potential collaborations and partnerships.
“The space industry has clear connections with many high tech manufactory products and services. By bringing this event to the high tech network in Zuid-Holland and offering the stage to space innovations, we directly create links with potential new business opportunities. Plus, showcasing the RISE student team’s rocket in real life is a real show-stopper for tech enthusiasts,” said Maaike Smelter, Community Manager at NL Space Campus. “It was inspiring to bring Network & Drinks to ZIE and see so many new faces engaging with the space sector. These kinds of connections are exactly what our community thrives on.”
Pitches That Sparked Conversations
The pitch session featured a mix of student projects and early-stage companies working on practical applications across sectors:
Student Team RISE
A collaboration between students from the University of Twente, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Saxion, Team RISE is working on sustainable space exploration and the reduction of space debris. Their diverse team, representing over 20 nationalities, aims to make space safer and more accessible by involving STEM students in real-world challenges.
At ZIE 2025, they presented recent milestones, including the First Titan Test — a rocket engine developed by the team and launched in March 2025.
“They left the day with more than 30 business cards for new collaborative opportunities,” shared Maaike Smelter. “That’s what Network&Drinks is about!”
Learn more about their mission and projects via their website https://www.riseteam.nl/
Aardvark Sensing (ESA BIC Startup)
Aardvark develops autonomous soil-sensing robots that can operate for months in harsh conditions. Their solution enables detailed soil data collection for satellite calibration, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Seeing the robot in real life for visitors at ZIE, makes space solutions tangible.
Explore their technology and use cases on the Aardvark website https://www.aardvark-sensing.com/
Refit Alliantie – Winner of the Hi Delta Synergy Award 2025
Recognised at ZIE 2025 with the Hi Delta Synergy Award, Refit Alliantie Duurzame Binnenvaart is an open innovation initiative working to make inland shipping more sustainable at scale. The alliance brings together companies, knowledge institutions, and governments, with a strong link to education and regional collaboration. The jury highlighted its practical approach and the visible cooperation between partners.
Read more about their award and initiative on the Hi Delta website. https://hidelta.nl/winnaar-bekend-hi-delta-synergy-award/
What’s Next: Network & Drinks ‘Funding & Financing’ on 24 April
The next edition of Network & Drinks takes place on 24 April 2025 at SBIC Noordwijk. This time, the focus will be on Funding & Financing, with updates from NL Space Campus and SBIC Noordwijk, and new pitches from companies working on space-related initiatives.
Wyrm Engineering and Stellar Space (Simulation Chamber) have been confirmed as pitchers.
Want to get to know funding opportunities and broaden your network with the space industry? Join the 24th on campus!
Registration to the event is available via the link: https://www.nlspacecampus.eu/events/april-24-nl-space-campus-network-drinks/
More information about the upcoming event is available on the https://www.nlspacecampus.eu/events/
Photo credit: Bram Saeys, Kacia Rutkouskaja
