Join the meeting with EUSPA – CASSINI Team at the European Rover Challenge for an exclusive look into #EUSpace entrepreneurship with the CASSINI Matchmaking!

On Friday, September 6 at 2:00 pm we start from a keynote speech by Justyna Redełkiewicz, followed by a discussion panel „Space Exploration as a Catalyst for Innovation on Earth” that will provide valuable insights into the future of EU Space entrepreneurship (check details).

There will be also an opportunity for 1-to-1 meetings with representatives of the European Commission and EUSPA on Friday – don’t forget to sign for it!

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.

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.

For over 25 years, Krakow Technology Park (KTP) has been co-creating conditions for the development of entrepreneurship. For 15 years, it has been running a Technology Incubator for start-up companies in the IT industry. It supports and inspires the startup community by organizing a number of events that help verify business ideas: workshops, hackathons and conferences.

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.

For over 10 years, KTP has been building a support system for the gaming industry: it organizes the Digital Dragons conference, implements incubation and acceleration programs for young gaming studios and supports education. The company also cooperates with international organizations, including the European Space Agency, supports companies and initiatives from the space sector, especially in the field of technology transfer and the use of satellite data.

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

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).

All ESA BICs are managed by leaders who connect with local industry, universities, research organizations and investors, while maintaining strong regional and national links. As a result, ESA BICs are very well connected to local communities and naturally become the place of choice for all space-related innovation and business.

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

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

With over 35 years of experience in the aerospace and space industry, Shelli Brunswick’s career has been defined by her impactful roles in space technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Her journey began in the U.S. Air Force, where she developed expertise in space acquisition, program management, policy development, government contracting, and leadership. As the former Chief Operating Officer of the Space Foundation and now the CEO & Founder of SB Global LLC, Shelli has continually advanced her strategic leadership skills, focusing on creating innovative programs, developing cutting-edge products and services, and driving significant P&L growth.

In addition to her executive roles, Shelli serves as a Senator at the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) and as the Global Chair for Space Technology and Aviation at G100. Her leadership extends across global platforms, where she mentors and guides startups and entrepreneurs through UNOOSA Space4Women, WomenTech Network, and the Global Policy, Diplomacy, and Sustainability (GPODS) initiative. Through these roles, Shelli has honed the ability to help others overcome challenges, foster innovation, and scale their businesses successfully.

In these exclusive 1-to-1 sessions, Shelli offers actionable strategies rooted in her extensive experience across military, commercial, civil, and international spheres. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of government contracts, seeking to enhance your leadership capabilities, or aiming to grow your business’s P&L, Shelli provides insights designed to empower your success. Drawing from her interactions with over 200 global thought leaders and her forthcoming book series — including What’s Space Got to Do With It? – 10 Life Lessons for Personal Growth;  An Interstellar Guide to Success; Out of This World Leadership; and Startup Supernovas: Igniting Entrepreneurial Success — Shelli shares universal leadership principles that transcend traditional boundaries, equipping you with the tools to thrive in any entrepreneurial journey.

Prepare to be inspired and empowered as Shelli helps you think strategically, act boldly, and achieve meaningful growth. Whether in the boardroom or on the international stage, this session will be a transformative experience where insights from space innovation, government policy, and global leadership converge to elevate your business and leadership journey.

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.