Space Tech Expo Europe is a busy moment for the European space ecosystem. Companies, startups, agencies, institutes, engineers, researchers, students, young professionals and many others come together in Bremen. The NL Space Pavilion gives the Netherlands a recognisable presence on the exhibition floor. This year, 2 buses left with students from Delft, over 250 people joined Connecting the Curious: Pitch event, and many new Dutch students and young professionals made the trip to Bremen. It may even be the best conference for (Dutch) young talent in the space industry in Europe.
Dutch students arriving with a clear purpose
Some Dutch students visiting the expo joined the organised visit with Inholland Delft and the Leidse Instrumentmakers School. Others came with their student associations or technical teams. Second bus from TU Delft was because of the Golden Reel Challenge. Many simply decided on their own to come to Bremen. For all of them, the expo offered a moment to see the sector up close and to explore internships, future career options and opportunities where their studies might take them.
The group from Inholland Delft and LIS followed a structured programme led by Erik Laan, a Dutch space expert and lecturer at Hogeschool Inholland. They visited companies such as Celestia STS and EnduroSat, presented their InhollandSAT One project at the NL Space Pavilion and ended the trip with a visit to OHB Bremen. These moments allowed students to ask questions, see hardware and hear directly from engineers about ongoing missions. Several students also joined the Golden Reel Challenge, and many took part in Connecting the Curious, the networking event created by NL Space Campus and ESA BICs for students, young professionals and startups attending the expo.
Study associations and student teams exploring opportunities
Students from VSV ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ of TU Delft came to Bremen to meet companies and explore collaboration possibilities for their association. Speaking with Lyssia van der Kooi (President) and Finn de Ridder (Secretary), they explained:
“We represent almost all aerospace engineering students at TU Delft, so we want to give them better access to the industry.”
For many, this was their first time at the expo.
“There are many opportunities here, especially for international students who want to work abroad.”
They spent the day speaking with organisations, introducing their association and exploring where cooperation might be possible.
Student rocket team in Bremen
Members of the Aquilo Rocket Team, including Deya Dimitrova, Promod Fernando and Emma Oberle, used the expo to meet sponsors and gain insight into what companies are working on.
“This is one of the few opportunities where we can meet our sponsors in person and hear what they are doing. We were also directed to other companies that might help us. Everyone is very collaborative here. It is a great networking opportunity because we are taking our first steps into the industry.”
They also described how helpful it was to see technologies in a real industrial setting.
“It makes you think more concretely about your future career. Seeing how companies apply the things we learn gives a different kind of perspective.”
Or how student teams can sometimes act as a connector between companies:
“Young engineers are sometimes a bridge between companies. Our sponsors sometimes discover each other through us. Companies appreciate motivated young engineers and want to invest in our development.”
DARE Rocket Team meeting companies and alumni in the student pavilion
DARE participated in the student pavilion, using the expo to present their work and speak directly with companies. Team members Isabelle Joosten and Angelique Orban shared how they used the event to discuss technical challenges, explore potential partnerships and understand where their projects align with industry needs.
“Some of us are looking for internships, and others are here to represent the team and explore possible collaborations. Speaking with companies in person makes these conversations easier.”
They also valued the chance to see how different organisations approach engineering and development.
“You come across companies you do not normally encounter in your studies. It gives a clearer view of how specialised the European space sector actually is.”
Meeting alumni added another layer to their visit.
“We spoke with several former DARE members who now work in the sector. It is useful to exchange experiences and hear how they moved from student projects into industry roles.”
Connecting the Curious offers a dedicated space for young talent
Although many students and young professionals attend Space Tech Expo Europe each year, only a few activities are designed specifically with them in mind. Most side events focus on experienced professionals, therefore Connecting the Curious fills an important gap by providing a clear, accessible moment for early talent to present their work and meet organisations.
Organised by NL Space Campus together with ESA BIC Noordwijk, ESA BIC Northern Germany, AVIASPACE, BDLI and partners, the event reached full capacity. The pitch round was deliberately fast-paced: each presenter had 30 seconds to introduce themselves or their initiative, with sign-up handled through a simple first-come, first-served sheet at the door. This format ensured that more than 25 pitches could be heard in a short time and gave participants a quick overview of who was in the room before moving into conversations. 
The mix of presenters reflected the broad spectrum of early talent in the ecosystem. Student teams such as Aquilo Rocket Team, Space Oasis Delft, The Curiosity Contest and Nebula Xplorer shared their projects and collaboration needs. Early-stage startups introduced concepts ranging from satellite data access (Aperio Space Technologies) and in-orbit servicing (Osmos X) to EO for nature valuation (Nature One) and modular SADAs (Revolv). Several organisations also contributed, including Technology Centre Prague, OHB Sweden, Orbit Fab and Aisat. Together, the pitches offered a compact cross-section of ideas and made it easy for attendees to identify who to speak with next.
Dassault Système supported the session through the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab and provided the photobooth, which became a steady point of interaction throughout the evening. Patricia Seitz, Marketing and Communications Manager, reflected on the value of the session:
“It was great to see such a mix of students, young professionals and early-stage startups in one room. The atmosphere showed how active and international this ecosystem has become. We are very excited to be back next year.”
Long-time participants also emphasised why they return. Eugene Onuchin, CEO of SpaceFood, shared:
“It has its own culture. Many different faces and backgrounds, people meeting again, exchanging experiences. It feels good to be here. There is space to present your idea, meet others and build new connections.”
The Golden Reel Challenge
The Golden Reel Challenge brought a creative element to the week. Students were invited to imagine what message or artefact they would send into space and to think about why it matters. This encouraged them to look beyond engineering alone and to consider the cultural and symbolic aspects of space.
They developed their ideas, formed theoretical consortiums using companies they discovered at the expo and worked with mentors during a dedicated workshop in Bremen. This combination of imagination and practical guidance introduced a different kind of learning experience, complementing their technical interests.
After Bremen: A Look Ahead
After the week in Bremen, many students continue looking for ways to stay connected with the organisations they met. Throughout the year, several moments in the Netherlands support this follow up and help them build on the conversations that started at the expo.
The NL Space Summer School offers a broader look at the Dutch space ecosystem. Over the course of a week, participants visit organisations such as ESA ESTEC, SRON, TNO and universities in Leiden, Delft and Rotterdam. They work on assignments linked to real sector challenges and gain a clearer sense of how different organisations collaborate. An information session in January helps prospective participants prepare.
Read more about NL Space Summer School
Register for NL Space Summer School Online webinar
The next edition of Connecting the Curious will take place on 18 November 2026. Participants from the 2025 edition will be the first to receive an invitation. If you missed this year’s event and would like to join the next edition, you can stay informed by signing up for the Community Updates.
More opportunities from partners will appear throughout the year, giving students and young professionals additional ways to reconnect with the sector, learn from organisations and explore future paths.
Photo Gallery Credit: BDLI, AVIASPACE
