Held at the Palácio Conde Rocha d’Óbidos in Lisbon, the 22nd edition of the ESA Investor Forum was organised by ESA Space Solutions Portugal.
Since 2014, ESA Space Solutions Portugal, established at the Institute Pedro Nunes in Coimbra, has hosted an ESA BIC (Business Incubation Centre) together with additional networking and industrial support services to ESA (through the Ambassadorship & Brokerage networks). The ESA Investor Forum is a high-profile event for space-related investment opportunities, connecting start-ups and scale-ups from the ESA network with international private investors. During the event, which took place on October 31st, 2022, pitching sessions showcased some of Europe’s most promising start-ups using space technologies.
Following opening remarks by the organisers and by Portugal Ventures, a benchmark venture capital partner in Portugal with a number of space industry companies on their portfolio, 9 start-ups pitched their business solutions to 18 investors and other interested parties. During two hours , pitches came thick and fast, from countries such as Czechia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Portugal. Africa was also represented by Mavuno, a start-up based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The proposed solutions range from boosting earth-based activities using satellite data (e.g. empowering African farmers, mapping green and blue space in cities, predicting energy disruptions, and ensuring secure and affordable maritime communications) to an ever-increasing expansion to new space markets (e.g. high-altitude pseudo-satellites, in-orbit maintenance services, and in-orbit traffic management). ESA BIC Portugal was represented with both alumni (Neuraspace, OWL and Spotlite) and currently incubated start-ups (Space Engineer).
Whilst investors came primarily from Portugal, there were some coming from other European locations. Space-powered and space-based business has increased sharply in the last few years and the trend is steadily increasing. These events are a great opportunity for investors to remain informed of what is new in the sector and to consider adding additional start-ups to their portfolios.
Positive feedback from the participants highlights the success of the initiative and the organisation of this particular edition. Jorge Pimenta, director of ESA Space Solutions Portugal, said: “The ESA Investor Forum is a landmark event that showcases the impact of the space start-up ecosystem in Europe. The products/services shown are a great example of the investment opportunities in this sector. ESA BIC Portugal is committed to support start-ups and leverage funding opportunities alongside investors, in particular with our partner Portugal Ventures.” Ana Vaz, manager of ESA BIC Portugal, added: “For ESA BIC Portugal this was a huge opportunity to meet with European start-ups and connect them with the Portuguese start-ups. In Portugal, we are promoting private investment in space start-ups and for this ESA Investor Forum was the ideal stage for all these companies.”
“Although it has never been a better time to invest in Space, private capital finds difficult to invest in an industry they do not completely understand”, said Gonzalo Martin de Mercado, ESA. “The European Space landscape is complex, and they look towards ESA for clarity. Through its technology programmes, initiatives like the ESA Business Incubation Centres, partnerships like the SpaceTech Platform and events like this ESA Investor Forum, ESA is actively working to make Europe a space commercialisation hub to launch and grow global space companies that make sense for our future.”
Estelle Godard, ESA, presenting the ESA Investor Network
Gonzalo Martin de Mercado, ESA
