During NL Space Week 2025, two ecosystems – space and manufacturing – came together for the launch of a new startup competition. Space Meets Manufacturing taps into the potential for synergies from the space industry and the manufacturing sector. At the launch event, the organisers welcomed the industry challenge providers [ArcelorMittal and European Space Agency (ESA)] and the competition sponsors [European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) and Technoport] to shine a light on the challenges seeking solutions. The competition is open to startups from across Europe, calling for them to address the industry challenges. Good news: Startups have even more time to register to take part in the competition as the deadline has been extended! Submit your solutions by 3 November. See details below, with full details on the EIT Manufacturing website.
Two industries joining forces to foster innovation
This new Europe-wide startup competition is seeking to unlock the synergy potential of innovation activities in the space and manufacturing sectors. Based on cross-sectoral industry challenges from both space and manufacturing, the competition will shed light on multi-market solutions and accelerate their application in cross-sectoral environments. The organisers EIT Manufacturing, NL Space Campus and SBIC Noordwijk bring their own expertise to this venture. The collaboration of the space and manufacturing ecosystems will increase knowledge and encourage technology transfer based on real industrial needs and to foster business growth for the European industry.
Key steps to the live final in the Netherlands
A number of real-life industry challenges are set from key players in the space and manufacturing sectors: the European Space Agency; and ArcelorMittal. There is also a challenge that has been provided by the competition sponsors ESRIC and Technoport. Space startups and manufacturing startups are invited to take up a challenge in this competition:
- Manufacturing challenges → space or manufacturing solutions*
- Space challenges → manufacturing or space solutions*
*Participants from either sector can choose to work on any of the industry challenges.
Startups can present their solutions to companies and companies get to know new technologies that can solve their challenges. If it’s a match, it can result in a pilot project. You must select which challenge you are interested in when you register to take part in the competition – and don’t forget to clearly outline your solution. You’ll need to submit a pitch deck that:
- Describes the technology behind your solution listing its novelty for the challenge
- Outlines any previous use case(s) for technology/solution relevant to the challenge
- Introduces your team and company organisation
- Discloses existing business traction in the space sector and/or manufacturing industry.
Competition organisers:
Launch event visuals (photos by EIT):
ESA BIC Noordwijk incubatee
ESA BIC Noordwijk alumnus
Launch event shone a light on the set of challenges
The competition challenges have been revealed and further information was provided at the launch on 9 Oct. The providers of the industry challenges from the space and manufacturing sectors who are waiting for your solutions presented the challenges on stage at SBIC Noordwijk.
We are pleased to be able to highlight here further information about the challenges that startups can select from:
Challenge #1 (by ArcelorMittal): Predictive tool for weldability
Development of a predictive tool that quantifies both operational weldability (the likelihood of producing acceptable welds without critical defects) and technical weldability (properties of the weld zone after the thermal cycle: hardness, toughness, phase composition) for (C-Mn) steels and provides process parameter recommendations.
Challenge #2 (by ArcelorMittal): Multi-purpose structural optimisational tool
Development of a software solution that couples parametric CAD models with automated FEA and multi-objective optimisation (e.g., stiffness vs. weight, payload vs. cost), including material selection and manufacturing constraints, to generate manufacturable design alternatives systematically.
Challenge #3 (by ESA): Non-destructive inspection methods
Reduce cost and lead time of non-destructive inspection for (large-series) spacecraft manufacturing.
Challenge #4 (by ESA): Serial production technologies
Reduce cost and lead time for space electronics Hardware, to support trend towards larger series commercial spacecraft.
Challenge #5 (by Technoport/ESRIC): Bridging terrestrial technologies to space applications
Turn space resources into reality with solutions to advance space resource utilisation across prospecting, extraction and manufacturing. The focus is about adapting technologies for extreme environments, from autonomous surveying and excavation to producing oxygen, water, propellants and construction materials, enabling practical and scalable offworld resource use.
▶️ Download the challenges in PDF format via the EIT website
KEY DATES
Are you a startup based in the EU? Take action:
→ Submit your challenge solution by the deadline of 3 Nov (by 23:59 CET) **
→ Get support: If selected, your startup will receive mentoring in advance of the final
→ Pitch your idea at the final on 27 Nov and be in with a chance of winning prizes
**Startups entering the competition will be told by 10 Nov whether they are a finalist
🏆 Pitch at the grand final & award ceremony on 27 November
DETAILS OF EVENT
Competition final & award ceremony
Where & when
Date: Thu 27 Nov 2025
Time: 14:00 to 17:00
Location: SBIC Noordwijk
Post-event: Network & Drinks at SBIC; register via NL Space Campus website (see here)
Competition sponsors:
Since announcing the competition, the deadline has been extended to 3 November.
