The June edition of Network & Drinks was the final gathering before the summer break. From NL Space Campus and SBIC announcements to insightful results of the ESA Technology Broker research, the event concluded with three pitches that showcased diverse financing and investment opportunities for the space sector.
Updates from NL Space Campus
- Geo-Data Fusion Hackathon 2024 was succesful, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W). It brought together entrepreneurs, students, startups, academia, companies and government to leverage satellite data for societal challenges. The hackathon featured three core challenges: optimising urban spaces, mitigating the ecological impacts of offshore wind farms, and enhancing soil monitoring. Eight teams with a total of 48 participants joined. The SoilSpectrum team emerged victorious with their innovative soil quality dashboard, while ParkSense team secured the runner-up position with their vehicle index for urban planning optimisation. Both teams are invited to submit a proposals worth twenty thousand and ten thousand euros to further develop the idea.
- ICARUS Consortium: Breaking New Ground in Space Technology – Congratulations were extended to ESA BIC alumnus HDES Service & Engineering for being selected as a consortium partner in the ICARUS project. This project aims to develop an inflatable re-entry system, with a demonstration flight scheduled for 2028. HDES will be responsible for the inflation system, utilising large cool gas generators.
- Save the Date: NL Space Week 2024 September 29 – October 6 – This nine-day event promises a unique space experience, connecting over 10,000 visitors with the Dutch space sector. With events and activities spread across exclusive locations in the Netherlands, NL Space Week aims to demystify space and showcase its endless possibilities. The event is powered by NL Space Campus in collaboration with ESA ESTEC and supported by the Dutch space sector. By leaving your email address on www.nlspaceweek.eu you will receive updates about events in NL Space Week. You can already register for the Network & Drinks XL Edition during NL Space Week here.
Updates from SBIC Noordwijk
- Ignition Programme: One-on-One Expert Sessions – SBIC Noordwijk shared updates on their ongoing Ignition Programme, which is currently in full swing. Participants in this pre-incubation programme are engaging in one-on-one expert sessions, delving deeper into topics such as finance, space, and technology.
- ESA-BIC Programme Webinar Series – Additionally, SBIC hosted a webinar on the ESA BIC programme on 27 June, providing an introduction to what the programme entails. The next webinar is scheduled for 27 August and will focus on success stories from ESA BIC.
Ask the Community
In the latest edition of “Ask the Community,” the focus was on integrating space business into other sectors. Interns Saurab den Butter and Jelle van Zundert presented their findings on connecting space technologies to the top sector and TKI Agendas of the Netherlands. Their summary and insights will be published soon, so stay updated with our website for the full article or find the link in our next community update.
Pitches
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Rabobank department for SMEs, start-ups & scale-ups
Wesley Lie Kon Pauw, a business advisor from Rabobank, introduced the various financing options available to SMEs, startups, and scale-ups. He highlighted the Rabobank Impact Fund, which offers donations of up to 25k for innovative projects, and the Rabo Innovation Loan, a self-funded loan of up to 150k. Wesley emphasised Rabobank’s role as a growth partner, providing not only financial support but also access to a global network of sector specialists. You can reach out to Wesley via Wesley Lie Kon Pauw Wesley.Lie-Kon-Pauw@rabobank.nl
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GoldenEggCheck – StartupRoulette
Anna Dyachenko from GoldenEggCheck presented Startup Roulette, a curated speed-dating event for startups, scaleups, VCs, and angel investors. This initiative, born out of the need for virtual networking during the COVID-19 pandemic, has since grown into a robust platform connecting startups with a network of 1,000 investors. Anna also introduced their co-investment fund, which partners with strong lead VCs and angel investors to support startups across various industries. You can connect with Anna via anna@goldeneggcheck.com.
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4Impact VC Fund
Yasmin Venema from 4Impact VC Fund introduced their mission of funding early-stage tech startups with a focus on impact. They invest in digital tech-for-good companies, particularly those in the Seed to Series A phase, with ticket sizes ranging from 500k to 2.5 million. The fund supports startups addressing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasized their commitment to driving meaningful change through scalable technology. Get in touch with Yasmin via yasmin@4impact.vc
Next Edition after Summer on 3 October during the NL Space Week!
Mark your calendars for the next Network & Drinks, the XL Version at Space Expo on 3 October. You can already register for this event here! Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and collaborate with leading professionals in the space sector. Apply now to receive our community updates and stay informed about upcoming events.
