Author: Carmel McNamara
Businesses across various sectors in the Netherlands – from Agri-Food and Energy to High Tech and Logistics – face increasing challenges in efficiency, automation and sustainability. Have you thought though: what if the solutions exist – developed for space – that are ready to be applied to non-space industries? Do you have space tech that could help any of the companies in the event line-up for Tech Needs Discovery event? The ESA Technology Broker will be guiding the process of matching the perfect connection between certain non-space and space delegates. Register now to take part!
Innovative space tech finding new applications on Earth
The Tech Needs Discovery event will take place on 18 March at SBIC Noordwijk, organised by the ESA Technology Broker NL along with partners Holland High Tech and Hi Delta. It promises to be an exciting first edition that will bring together companies with technical needs and space innovators who have ready-to-use solutions. Get ready to explore technology needs and solutions through direct interaction and matchmaking guided by the broker contacts, Jacobo Domingo and Raoul Voeten.
The diverse array of tech needs of the non-space companies taking to the stage at the broker’s inaugural Tech Needs Discovery event will be highly relevant for many space companies. We are not divulging any sneak previews of what the challenges these companies are seeking a solution for – you will need to attend the event to find out!
“The challenges that will be presented are an interesting draw because they cover a lot of different areas that will be very relevant for a lot of different space companies”
Jacobo Domingo, main broker contact
Line-up of non-space companies ready to share challenges
The presentations at the event will be given by these non-space companies:
- BigMile – a tech company that offers solutions to calculate, analyse and report on multimodal transport-related carbon emissions. Its software-as-a-service platform can help in measuring carbon footprint by implementing the best ways to calculate, allocate and reduce carbon emissions.
- Division Q – the “gateway to horticulture” for promising technologies and startups working towards a futureproof greenhouse sector. By using its sister company Koppert Cress’s 10-hectare greenhouse as a living lab, Division Q works together to validate new solutions in practice.
- MicroAlign – a deep-tech startup developing tech that enables for the first time to optimally connect many densely-spaced fibres to multiport optical components. The tech allows for the manufacturing the ultimate fibre array for photonic innovation.
- Priva – a global high-tech company specialising in smart climate control, automation and horticultural technology for greenhouses, vertical farms and buildings. Its hardware, software and cloud-based services help to optimise comfort, yield and energy efficiency.
- Reefy – a tech startup that bridges the gap between engineering and ecology and offers solutions that mitigate against sea level rises and coastal flooding. The company utilises hydraulic engineering and marine biology to integrate nature restoration in marine infrastructure projects.
- Viscon – a factory automation company in the agri-food sector offering state-of-the-art technology. The company makes food and agriculture processes sustainably profitable, scalable and user-friendly and is active in hatchery and breeding automation, young plant production, and more.
Focusing on agri-good, energy, high tech and logistics – all sectors covered
We caught up with the main broker contact and business development manager at SBIC Noordwijk – Jacobo Domingo – to find out about the companies that are getting a chance to present at the event. Jacobo explained: “The main aspect that we knew we wanted was that the companies should be from a good mix of sectors. With the current line-up, we have covered all of the four priority sectors that falls under the remit of the broker.”
Linking space solutions to industrial challenges is of particular interest to the ESA Technology Broker as it focuses efforts on the sectors on the technological roadmaps that exist at national level and that have a high socio-economic impact: agri-food, energy, high tech and logistics.
“The fact that the companies on stage are actually mixed between different sectors, is an extra bonus. For instance, BigMile is multi-logistics and high tech, Priva is agri and high tech, while Viscon is agri and energy.”
Jacobo continues: “I think the companies presenting are an interesting draw because you’ll have diversity amongst the speakers, but also cover a lot of different areas. I think the needs that they have will be very relevant for a lot of different space companies because we’ll cover from software to hardware to know how – they really are looking for a lot of different things.”
EVENT DETAILS
Where & when
Date: Tue 18 Mar 2025
Lunch: 13:00 to 14:00*
Talks: 14:00 to 18:00
Location: SBIC Noordwijk
Registration link: click here
Event poster: click here (PDF)
*Let us know about allergies or dietary requirements
Schedule for the event:
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Welcome
14:15 Deep-dive talks
15:20 Break
15:45 Matchmaking sessions
16:45 Networking
18:00 End
Successful matches for cutting-edge solutions
The technology broker of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the Netherlands is a programme that is jointly managed by Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk and NL Space Campus, working closely with the Netherlands Space Office. The free event starts with on-stage talks where non-space companies will share deep dives into their tech needs and challenges, guided by the experts from the broker and partners. This will be followed by space innovators participating in live brokering, with on-the-spot matchmaking sessions allowing them and the tech need owners to engage. Join us on 18 March at SBIC Noordwijk. A networking lunch, deep dive sessions and focused matchmaking are all part of the programme. Attendees can expect at the event:
Industry challenges on stage – Hear real business problems and discuss possible solutions with tech experts.
Live matchmaking – Connect directly with potential technology partners.
Expert insights – Learn how space technology can be adapted to your industry’s needs.
Be sure to register your place without delay as spots are limited
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
Celestial haute cuisine: Bringing space technology down to Earth
Read more about space solutions for the agrifood industry here.
Have a look at the technologies page and find out how you can collaborate.