A number of space business incubatees were on hand to help out the exceptional students from the MSc International Management / CEMS programme who visited SBIC Noordwijk recently. A week-long challenge took place for the 19th edition of the collaboration between ESA (European Space Agency) and CEMS (Community of European Management Schools) as part of collective efforts to foster innovation and collaboration between business and space. After final presentation pitches, the winning team was announced on 1 September.
The arrival of the students to SBIC Noordwijk created a buzz in the building after the quietness of the summer season. Following welcome messages and introductions from Niels Eldering (ESA) and René Olie and Graham Cross (Rotterdam School of Management/Erasmus University), the students immediately got to work. The theme of this year’s ESA–CEMS challenge was: “In-Orbit Manufacturing.”
Space business cases
Groups of students were each teamed with different ESA BIC startups, which provided the opportunity to gain real world insights from these incubated space business companies and for the startups to get input from the talented students. Members from our space business community who joined the event represented: 2C Degrees, Celemation, Ecosmic, Inframent, Revolv Space and Spherical Systems.
Over the next few days, the students worked in their individual groups, deliberated with the startups, and attended workshops and presentations about pitching, entrepreneurship and consultancy – both at SBIC Noordwijk and on the campus of ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC).
The dedication and creativity of these students was remarkable. The inspiring new business ideas that took shape covered everything from 🛰️in-orbit assembling lines to 🚀 orbital fuel stations, ♻️ green energy and even ordering your 💫 shooting star! Final presentations of the business cases covering the future of #NewSpace markets were made in front of a jury – which included representation from ESA and CEMS, as well as the Dutch technology broker.
Niels Eldering (ESA) commented: “Congrats to all teams of this year’s 19th edition of the ESA–CEMS’ Master in International Management. This week has been a truly extraordinary journey into the new space economy with the young business talents and excellent scholars.”
ABOUT ESA–CEMS:
This event is possible through collaboration with Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Universität St. Gallen-Hochschule für Wirtschafts-, Rechts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Nova School of Business and Economics, HEC Paris, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Università Bocconi, Stockholm School of Economics, NHH Innovation School, University of Cologne Business School and CEMS Alumni Association.
We share some photos giving insights from the culmination of the week at SBIC and we are already looking forward to welcome the cohort of CEMS students next year!
ABOUT ESA BIC NOORDWIJK:
In this programme, space startups get up to €50,000 zero-equity funding for the development of their idea, receive technical support by ESA or partners, and get extensive business support by SBIC. Full details at: esa-bic.nl.
