Space4Good joined the partner network of SBIC Noordwijk a little over 2 years ago and it has been a fruitful collaboration ever since. We caught up with founder Alexander Gunkel to get an update of what’s been happening at this innovative social enterprise in its mission to use space technology for social and environmental good. As a technical partner of SBIC, Space4Good is available to support startups in the Dutch business incubation centre of the European Space Agency (ESA BIC Noordwijk) by offering geospatial expertise. This could be anything from remote sensing and data analytics to predictive and artificial intelligence modelling.
In the bustling world of geospatial technology, one company stands out for its innovative approach to solving global challenges. SBIC’s technical partner Space4Good has not only carved a niche for itself but has also made significant strides in the realm of social and environmental impact. What started as a side project has now blossomed into a team of around 20 individuals dedicated to harnessing the power of geospatial data for good. The company is a solutions provider committed to accelerating and scaling sustainable initiatives. By leveraging a combination of remote sensing, Earth observation, GIS (geographic information system) and machine learning technologies, the company also collaborates on projects addressing critical issues, such as deforestation, restorative agriculture and environmental monitoring.
Satellite imagery forms the backbone of the startup’s operations, offering a multitude of benefits that are indispensable in tackling projects around the world – including projects in Africa, Europe, South America and Southeast Asia. From its global coverage to scalability and versatility, satellite observation provides invaluable insights that drive informed decision-making. Moreover, the ability to access historical archives and obtain high-resolution imaging to monitor environmental changes further enhances the company’s capabilities.
How has your company changed in the last few years?
Since joining as a technical partner 2 years ago, Space4Good has experienced significant growth and professionalisation. We’ve focused more on specific sectors and enhanced our services to cater to the evolving needs of our clients. The company primarily operates as a service provider and we also recognise the importance of knowledge sharing and capacity building to leverage geospatial technology effectively.
Space4Good is driven by a commitment to sustainability
Alexander gunkel
Which areas have Space4Good been focusing on lately?
We focus on sectors where we can provide the most value. While we strive to cater to diverse needs, we’ve realised the importance of specialisation to ensure we deliver high-quality services effectively. Our experience – covering such areas as agroforestry and environmental crimes, as well as carbon markets – demonstrates the versatility of geospatial technology in addressing multifaceted challenges.
We want to cover as many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as possible, such as sustainability and humanitarian topics – right now, we mostly prioritise nature-based solutions.
What approach does your team take?
We are a group of dedicated data scientists, software developers and remote sensing/GIS experts, as well as seasoned managers. One of the key strengths lies in the Space4Good team’s ability to fuse data from multiple sources, including satellite imagery, drone data and ground sensors. This holistic approach not only enhances the accuracy of observations but also provides a comprehensive understanding of complex environmental systems.
The tech applications are diverse, ranging from conservation efforts to biodiversity assessments and beyond. For instance, the company has developed systems for deforestation detection, providing real-time alerts to conservation agencies and land managers. Additionally, the team’s expertise in carbon assessment has enabled initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable forestry and mitigating climate change.
How do you establish collaborations with clients or startups?
We often seek out startups that share our commitment to sustainability. Our goal is to support these initiatives by providing technical expertise and guidance to help them achieve their objectives effectively. We are building a distinguished list of clients who we can provide solutions for but also clients that we can learn from. With like-minded clientele, when you have a use case or best practice guides, you can also show them the results. Through client research, you get engagement and you discover what works. You have to get out there and incorporate space for development and verification testing.
Can you share an example of collaborating with a startup?
One notable collaboration was with ESA BIC alumnus Survey Intelligence – a team of geoscientists combining satellite data with seismic data to understand and forecast ground deformation. We developed a data storage system for remote sensing data analysis. This partnership exemplified our commitment to leveraging technology for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.
What support can you offer the ESA BIC startups?
Dedicated time and resources are essential for startups to refine their products and services. We understand the challenges they face, which is why we offer support tailored to their specific needs and goals. When it comes to remote sensing, some startups will want to analyse the data themselves – and others will be more tech agnostic. We offer a range of services in which they can engage. They can get access to our web platform to enable data analysis and to better train our machine learning algorithm. It can be useful for startups to input data and to track and visualise the resulting insights.
How do you benefit from such a partnership?
We want to work with such entrepreneurs – the future leaders in the industry. We aim to continue our commitment to support startups and sustainable initiatives. Our goal is to foster innovation and collaboration to address pressing environmental challenges effectively. So we, as a service provider, can highlight and focus on using satellite data for environmental science applications, such as nature restoration and nature protection, and I think that’s good to know. So it’s worthwhile developing such partnerships because we can see what’s on the horizon and we get energy from such collaborations.
How can space tech contribute to a better planet and society?
Space technology plays a crucial role in conservation and sustainable development by providing valuable data and insights. Whether it’s through developing proprietary tools, engaging in collaborative projects or advocating for open-source initiatives, our company is poised to lead the way in the ever-evolving field of geospatial technology. We’re dedicated to leveraging space tech to address pressing environmental challenges and drive positive change. Stay tuned for updates about our participation in and contribution to these important causes.
ABOUT SPACE4GOOD
As a team of impact-driven “astropreneurs” pushing the boundaries of geospatial innovation together with partner NGOs, universities and like-minded social enterprises, Space4Good helps impact makers on the ground to make more informed decisions, improve operational efficiency, create data-driven transparency and unlock new revenue sources.
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH SPACE4GOOD
Contact: Alexander Gunkel
Email: alex@space4good.com
Website: space4good.com
Space4Good is a technical partner of SBIC Noordwijk and also a community partner. What does that mean? Find out via the link below.
Related:
With Space4Good, SBIC adds another familiar face to its technical partner network
