Every month is a busy one in the Dutch space ecosystem, though October 2025 has been a tad busier than normal, perhaps. The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) published its recommendations regarding the Dutch contributions to the European Space Agency (ESA), in advance of the ESA Ministerial Council Meeting next month. We were also inspired by events taking place across the country during NL Space Week and, then, the Earth observation workshop shining a spotlight on how we can collaborate to maximise the use of satellite data for our society. During these weeks, startups from ESA’s business incubation programme (ESA BIC Noordwijk) have been making the news and taking to the stages.
Every 3 years, ministers from the ESA member states meet to discuss the future of space – about which programmes and space missions that ESA will focus on and how much will the various member states contribute. This year, the ESA Ministerial Council Meeting will take place on 26 and 27 November in Bremen. The NSO advises politicians on the Dutch contribution and strategy and its recently published recommendations call for the government to align the budget with the widely shared national ambitions. And it is not only the NSO director Harm van de Wetering emphasising that space is an investment in critical infrastructure that more than pays for itself. The wider Dutch space sector fully supports the NSO advice, which is essential for taking real steps now in the implementation of the Long-Term Space Agenda. The ESA director Josef Aschbacher warned in an NRC interview that opting for a low contribution will cause the Netherlands to lose space activities.
ESA BIC startups in the news
This comes on the back of a successful week of activities – during NL Space Week – putting space in the spotlight with examples too numerous to mention about how space contributes to Dutch society and the economy. Far from being an abstract concept, space technology underpins essential services – satellite navigation, defence systems and global communication all depend on space infrastructure. Startups developing novel solutions utilising satellite data across a number of these areas are currently incubated at ESA BIC Noordwijk and getting exposure for their innovations at recent events – along with a few graduates of the ESA BIC programme.
Space Investor Event
What: Startups pitched on stage at SBIC on 7 October during the second edition of the initiative organised by KplusV, NL Space Campus and SBIC Noordwijk. The event brought together ambitious companies in the space domain with leading investors.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startups featured: incubatees Gravity Gardens and RegenRate; and alumni Arceon and Agtuall
Quote: “We are enthusiastic about having been matched with and connected to a number of the relevant investors and looked forward to continued discussion” – Paulino Valdes, CEO Gravity Gardens
Link: SBIC article
Space Meets Manufacturing
What: Two ecosystems – space and manufacturing – came together for the launch of a new startup competition on 9 October organised by EIT Manufacturing, NL Space Campus and SBIC Noordwijk. The challenges set are seeking startups to submit solutions by 3 Nov (23:59 CET).
ESA BIC Noordwijk startups featured: incubatee ZemQuest (pictured); and alumni Exxfire
Quote: “It was great to meet the owners of the industry challenges from the space and manufacturing sectors and see a number of ESA BIC startups pitching and boosting their visibility” – Jacobo Domingo, SBIC business development manager
Link: SBIC article
EuroGEO Workshop
What: An event that kicked-off in The Hague on 13 October emphasises the importance of collaborating to maximise the use of satellite data for our society. The NSO director Harm van de Wetering emphasising the added value of space lies on Earth where satellite data can play a crucial role in societal challenges.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startup featured: alumnus Sensar
Quote: “Sensar’s technology leverages date from radar satellites to assess the impact of a new ring road in Groningen on nearby homes” – Reinier Oost, CEO Sensar
Link: NSO article
Financieel Dagblad
What: An article by Jan Fred van Wijnen was published on 16 October and included highlights of NL Space Week and a discussion about the Dutch government’s plans for reduced funding to the space sector.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startups featured: alumnus Arceon
Quote: “It has been great to see investors showing interest in a sector with long-term potential and thanks to Het Financieele Dagblad for the shout-out in their coverage of the Dutch space scene” – Rahul Shirke, CEO Arceon
Link: LinkedIn post
André Kuipers RTL4
What: Dutch astronaut André Kuipers was on television on 19 October discussing the importance of the space ecosystem to the Netherlands’ economy and emphasising a higher Dutch contribution to ESA offers entrepreneurs the best opportunity to fully utilise their high-quality knowledge and technology.
ESA BIC Noordwijk startups featured: alumni Revolv Space and Solidflow (spin-off of HDES)
Quote: “Dutch companies provide leading technology in this area: Revolv Space develops systems that optimally align solar panels in space, effectively doubling energy yield; and Solidflow converts solids into gas, usable for safe fuel tanks, heat shields and oxygen production” – André Kuipers, astronaut and keynote speaker
Link: LinkedIn post
CHOOSE ESA BIC NOORDWIJK TO LAUNCH YOUR SPACE BUSINESS IN 2026!
You can apply to ESA BIC Noordwijk if you are an entrepreneur or startup. The programme gives you the best chance of developing your space business idea via a well-established network and community in the heart of the Dutch space industry. You need to be resident and be eligible to work in the Netherlands, with a company that is not yet founded and, if it is, then it is not older than 5 years. Then, the rest is up to you. Share your business proposal in the next application round and you could join our space community in 2026. The first step is to reach out to our very helpful team and book your introduction meeting here.
Discover everything you need to know about the ESA BIC Noordwijk programme:
