CASSINI Matchmaking focuses on boosting European innovation by connecting ambitious companies with investors and corporates. By fostering these connections, it aims to empower future partnerships, driving the growth and innovation of the EU Space industry.

CASSINI Matchmaking is part of the larger CASSINI initiative, dedicated to supporting EU Space entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs. CASSINI is open to all areas of the EU Space Programme and offers a €1 billion seed and growth fund, hackathons, mentoring, prizes, a business accelerator, and partnering opportunities.

Learn more at CASSINI Matchmaking and join our sessions at the European Rover Challenge to meet representatives of the European Commission and EUSPA.

B-8 meeting zone is located in the hall in front of the auditorium. This event is held off-stream at 10.00am–5.00pm on Friday 6th of September.

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This workshop, tailored for both students and young startups, will explore the limitless possibilities of the space sector. It will showcase the practical benefits and vast business opportunities it has to offer and emphasize the real-world applications of space technology in various industries. It will also highlight the role of CASSINI, the European Commission’s space entrepreneurship initiative, in driving this transformation and opening new avenues for innovation. Participants will gain insights into how they can leverage these opportunities to start their career in the space sector, turn ideas into viable businesses or scale their existing ventures within the space industry.

Learn more about the workshops.

The first day of the event’s livestream starts with a brief conversation with the #ERC2024 competition jury. Let’s find out what awaits the rovers in the Valles Marineris canyon reproduced on the Marsyard!

How to start everything? What help can you use? Does the idea of ​​an application or equipment or service make sense? It is not easy to find answers to these questions or verify them in a small team. Participation in events such as hackathons, acceleration programs and various pan-European initiatives can help. The Blue Dot Solutions/Space3ac team supported over 150 startups with grants totaling over PLN 10 M in their first steps on the market in 2016-2023. In many cases, these were startups that had just been established.

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KTP implements acceleration and incubation programs. Companies can count on support from seed funds, tax exemptions under the Polish Investment Zone program and preferential terms for renting office space.

The Krakow Technology Park is the leader of the hub4industry consortium, whose goal is to provide comprehensive support to companies wishing to implement Industry 4.0 solutions.

The Krakow Technology Park is also opening up to new directions of activity. KTP is among the institutions that form the consortium responsible for establishing the Małopolska Center for Innovative Hydrogen Storage and Transport Technologies. The aim of the company, established this year, is to integrate the business, scientific and business environment around initiatives that support and develop hydrogen technologies in Małopolska.

Learn more about: The Krakow Technology Park

B-8 meeting zone is located in the hall in front of the auditorium. This event is held off-stream at 10.00am–2.00pm on Friday 6th of September.

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Join Xiao-Shan Yap, a trailblazer in Earth-Space sustainability, as she dives into the emerging frontier of science and policy. Get ready for a keynote that blends science, policy, and a bold vision for our future.

Dr. Sánchez, a pioneer in AI for Earth, takes the stage to discuss how artificial intelligence can learn from nature to help us solve environmental challenges. In this keynote, he’ll explore how AI, open data, and innovative thinking can create sustainable solutions for the planet.

ESA BIC Poland (European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre Poland) is a business incubation center of the European Space Agency, managed by Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.). The center is part of a network of ESA BIC incubators created in Europe to support and inspire early stage entrepreneurs and inventors using space technologies.

The ESA BIC Poland program focuses on projects that apply space technologies to various sectors of the economy, promoting both spin-off projects (the use of technology derived from the space sector for other industries) and spin-in projects (the use of technology applied in other industries in the space sector).

Over 5 years, ESA BIC Poland will support a total of 35 start-ups. The incubator operates in two strategic locations: in Warsaw and Rzeszow. The branch in Warsaw  supports 5 startups per year, while the branch in Rzeszow supports 2 startups per year.

Learn more about: ESA BIC Poland

B-8 meeting zone is located in the hall in front of the auditorium. This event is held off-stream at 11.00am–3.00pm on Friday 6th of September.

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The discussion panel will explore how human and AI intelligence can work together across various domains. Experts will discuss strategies for effectively managing AI, understanding its strengths, and ensuring that we retain and enhance the unique cognitive advantages of human intelligence.

In the Marsyard Studio, Remco Timmermans will conduct interviews with guests, jurors, competitors, and exhibitors of the European Rover Challenge. Discover the latest advancements and perspectives from leading space experts, scientists, and innovators through these engaging on-the-spot conversations.

In this off-livestream meeting, Joost Vanreusel from the ESA Academy will discuss how the Academy boosts skills and ambitions through various space projects, including CubeSat missions and ISS experiments. The session will feature a Q&A with the audience, offering a chance to interact with Joost and explore the Academy’s role in preparing the next generation of space professionals.

E2MC Ventures aims to provide the financing required to develop the space economy and pave humanity’s expansion into space, including realizing the positive impact potential inherent in space tech.

Space is a highly technical sector – often literally “rocket science.” Many startups are rightfully led by technical founders who are the best at the product they are developing. E2MC Ventures’ role is to complement this core technical expertise with capital and its business expertise, with the ultimate aim to help bring the companies’ visions to reality and maximize their value.

E2MC Ventures team consists of the veteran financial markets professionals who are also experienced and trained in space, hence bridging the gap between the space and the investment communities.

Learn more about: E2MC Ventures

B-8 meeting zone is located in the hall in front of the auditorium. This event is held off-stream at 12.30pm–4.00pm on Friday 6th of September.

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Join Justyna Redelkiewicz, an expert in EU space applications and business development, as she delves into the exciting landscape of space entrepreneurship in Europe. With over 14 years of experience at EUSPA and leading the €1 billion Cassini initiative, Justyna has helped startups harness space-based investments. This keynote will explore Europe’s rise in space innovation and the opportunities driving the sector’s future.

In this panel, experts will discuss advancements driven by space research and their impacts on healthcare, telecommunications, and materials science. The conversation will also explore how CASSINI Start-ups are commercializing these innovations and the challenges of bringing space-driven technologies to market, highlighting the roles of both public and private sectors.

Off-livestream meeting – B-8 AUDITORIUM

In the Marsyard Studio, Remco Timmermans will conduct interviews with guests, jurors, competitors, and exhibitors of the European Rover Challenge. Discover the latest advancements and perspectives from leading space experts, scientists, and innovators through these engaging on-the-spot conversations.

Lukasz Wilczynski, a seasoned space advocate and co-founder of the European Space Foundation, will share his insights on responsible communications in the space industry. With a deep background in tech and innovation PR, Lukasz will discuss the role of accurate and impactful messaging in shaping public perception and advancing space exploration. Get ready to rethink how we talk about space.

In today’s rapidly evolving space industry, effective communication is more critical than ever. This panel delves into the unique challenges and opportunities in PR and communications within the space sector. We will explore strategies for effectively conveying the significance of space initiatives to decision-makers, the general public, and non-space businesses. Our esteemed panelists will share their insights on promoting job opportunities and fostering a deeper understanding of the space industry’s impact on society.

Let’s wrap up the first day of the ERC with a brief conversation about the event. What happened on the Marsyard? What rovers have made an appearance?