Author: Carmel McNamara
At the first edition of the Tech Needs Discovery (TND) event series last month – organised by the ESA Technology Broker NL in collaboration with Holland High Tech and Hi Delta – the business representatives on-stage spoke about their needs for the likes of emission monitoring, new energy sources, fibre arrays for communication and greenhouse automation. A tech need for one company can be a challenge that is ripe for solving for those innovators with already developed space-related technologies seeking a new application. From agricultural and horticultural to environmental and engineering, the sectors that can benefit from space tech are as wide as the solutions ready to be tapped into. The format of TND #1 fuelled fresh thinking! Register for the next event
Tech needs from efficiency and automation to sustainability
The transfer of space technologies to benefit life on Earth is at the crux of the Europe-wide ESA Technology Broker network, offering a wide array of practical applications across various industries. These technologies encompass software and hardware solutions incorporating space-derived materials, data compression tools, methodologies, propulsion systems, coatings and sensors. Space solutions turn up in everything from medical devices to sporting equipment, purification systems to quality control measures.
One of the goals of the new-for-2025 Tech Needs Discovery event series is to take a novel approach to creating connections within the Dutch ecosystem. As a technology broker, a key role revolves around identifying promising ideas and supporting space companies in exploring new markets. It was this reason space innovators were specially invited to be in the audience, to engage with the non-space companies presenting – for a chance to get cutting-edge answers outside their usual industries.
Valuable conversations and successful introductions
The inaugural event in March was curated and moderated by the Dutch broker contacts Jacobo Domingo (from SBIC Noordwijk) and Raoul Voeten (from NL Space Campus), who were enthusiastic about the response received.
“The first edition of the Tech Needs Discovery event exceeded expectations, generating over 30 introductions and more than 10 active facilitations, with participants requesting more follow-ups post-event,” comments Jacobo. “Speakers praised the format and execution that enabled surprising and valuable conversations to emerge – even between unexpected matches – proving the power of curated cross-sector dialogue.”
The event was split into three parts – starting with networking, then the presentations and, finally, the matchmaking, when the non-space companies and space innovators could interact with each other to seek solutions.
Deep dives of non-space companies on stage
A total of six non-space companies took to the stage (see the line-up here and the photo gallery covering this session on the NL Space Campus website). The format saw the main broker contact Jacobo interviewing the representatives about their specific tech needs.
There were deep dive takes covering such topics as:
- Closing the loop for the re-use of water;
- Implementing fibre arrays for optical communication;
- Localisation and navigating in a greenhouse;
- Integrating satellite insights for transport-related emissions;
- Utilising fossil-free fuel for horticulture; and
- Extrapolating ecological metrics for the integration of Earth observation data on water quality.
These challenges faced by the non-space companies covered domains such as sustainability, photonics, automation and infrastructure – which offered opportunities for any space companies in the audience with relevant hardware, software and data-driven technologies to identify solutions. The task of exploring how space tech could address the presented challenges followed during the matchmaking session.
Matchmaking and inspiring connections
The matchmaking session connecting the space innovators with the non-space businesses was a highlight of the event, with the success being driven by the curated audience. Jacobo explained: “The main aspect that we knew we wanted was that the companies should be from a good mix of sectors. With this first event’s line-up, we were able to cover all of the four priority sectors that fall under the remit of the broker.”
Participants were provided with ample opportunity for discussion and to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives. These interactions focused on identifying overlaps in capabilities on possible next steps for cooperation – with conversations leading to broader logistics maybe not specifically related to the presented challenges. One match between a presenter and space innovator has led to talks of a follow-up workshop to highlight how remote sensing could offer value to the company’s value chain. Another presenter, Aadesh Shah (strategic innovation engineer at Viscon Group), connected with Charlotte Pouwels (Galileo satellite engineer at EUSPA on behalf of CGI) who identified a workshop that would be of interest, where the option for Galileo OS/HAS applications in greenhouses could be discussed.
Aadesh Shah from Viscon Group (right) with Peter Baaij from Lencon
Fuelling fresh thinking
About the event, Aadesh (pictured above) commented: “It was very inspiring! It gave us a fresh perspective on how diverse sectors, both space and non-space, are tackling challenges on Earth and beyond-Earth. It was exciting to connect with other startups, companies and innovators who are pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box. For Viscon, working in the agri-food sector, events like these are a spark plug – fuelling fresh thinking and new ways to hack the challenges we face.”
With this momentum, the broker contacts are on hand for further connections and introductions post-event, which is an important part of this event series. Concrete success stories can take a while to come to fruition – the important thing is that dialogue has been initiated.
“Something that stood out for me during the event was how eager all the attendees were to connect to each other and explore opportunities,” explained Jacobo. “At every chance they had, networking and mingling was taking place, and most came to me afterwards to praise having such an open space to connect.”
Click photo above to view gallery
“Surprising and valuable conversations emerged – even between unexpected matches – proving the power of curated cross-sector dialogue”
Jacobo Domingo, main broker contact
Tech Needs Discover Edition #2: For the next event in this series, the format is switched! On 15 May at SBIC, it will be space companies presenting their own technical challenges. The audience of innovators from non-space businesses will be on hand to offer fresh solutions. If you wish to be in on-stage or in the audience, you can already register. The event will once again include guided matchmaking and informal networking, aiming to spark practical collaborations and explore how technologies from outside the space domain can support innovation within it. esa-technology-broker.nl/tech-needs-discovery
Existing technologies with potential for new applications
It was not only the people at the event that were providing inspiration for space related solutions. Information cards were supplied to attendees representing the entire catalogue of technology descriptions that have been collated by the Dutch broker. Unique cards, colour-coded by sector, include innovation advantages and suggested market applications so the non-space contacts can see the breadth of technologies available. There was interest from one of the participants in Resoniks’ acoustic quality control system that uses acoustic frequency analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect microfractures, weld defects and material degradation in real time. A new connection is in the pipeline!
Recognising the immense potential of space-qualified products and their unique capability to withstand the harshest conditions – from extreme temperatures to radiation – ESA’s broker network underscores the importance of leveraging these technologies for earthly benefits. The broker website’s Technologies section is being regularly updated. One of the recent technology descriptions to be highlighted at the event and online is Zander Labs’ neuroadaptive technology that transforms how humans interact with technology and how artificial intelligence (AI) systems are trained.
“Being featured on the ESA Technology Broker platform connects our innovations with industries we haven’t yet partnered with,” comments Jaap van Gent (business director at Zander Labs). “Our Zypher sensors – which process brain activity directly on-device for privacy – were developed with real-world applications in mind We’re seeing interest from automotive, healthcare and defence sectors, as well as applications for space.” The broker contacts are continually investigating new connections. Want to create awareness of your technology? You too can submit your tech description here.
About the broker: The ESA Technology Broker for the Netherlands – jointly operated by the Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk and NL Space Campus – facilitates technology transfer solutions across key focus sectors: Agri-Food, Energy, Logistics and High Tech. The broker drives innovation by identifying partnership opportunities and leveraging tech roadmaps. The goal is to address high socio-economic challenges through Dutch advancements and beyond. It works closely with European Space Agency and the Netherlands Space Office. esa-technology-broker.nl
