ESA BIC ALUMNUS: PhySens

Welcome to the ESA BIC Northern Germany Alumni Series, where we showcase the remarkable journeys and experiences of our alumni startups. As aspiring founders explore the opportunities offered by the ESA Business Incubation Centre Northern Germany, this series provides firsthand insight into the transformative impact of our incubation program.

Every episode of the Alumni series offers the unique opportunity to take a closer look at the stories of startups like PhySens GmbH, who have been successful in the ESA BIC ecosystem. In the interviews, the alumni provide insights, share experiences and report on the support they received during their time in the program.

Today we spoke with Dr. Katharina Ostaszewski, Geschäftsführerin von PhySens in Bremen. PhySens uses technologies, knowledge and experience from space travel to develop precise and robust sensor systems that are used, among other things, in rail transport and medical technology, for example for precise error detection and to increase the efficiency of processes. This innovative use of space technology has led to PhySens being supported by the ESA BIC Northern Germany. Be inspired by the journey of PhySens and become part of the ESA BIC startup community!

• Can you tell us a little bit about PhySens and what you do exactly? (Here the changes in your/your company are discussed in detail, the industries you now work with?)

“PhySens has existed for three years now, and we have specialized in measurement technology and electronic development. Our goal is to collect high-quality data through precise measurement technology and then comprehensively analyze it. An essential part of our expertise comes from the scientific work that Philip Heinisch and I have done at the Institute of Geophysics and Extraterrestrial Physics (IGEP). Especially our research in the context of the Rosetta mission, where we worked with the magnetometer system of the lander and the orbiter, has given us valuable insights. These experiences are now directly incorporated into the work at PhySens, and they help us develop customized solutions for measurement technology and data analysis that meet the specific requirements of our customers.”

• Can you tell us more about your team?

“Our team at PhySens consists of a diverse group of experts, each with different strengths and backgrounds. Together we work to create innovative solutions in the field of measurement technology and electronics development. Philip Heinisch, Henriette Struckmann and I founded PhySens in January 2021. Philip is a specialist in hardware development and electronics, while I focus strongly on data analysis and software development. Henriette Struckmann brings valuable experience in the commercial area and project management, while Lea Baschanow and Raul Ghazaleh complement our skills in software development.

In addition, our team is supported by three dedicated student assistants who bring fresh ideas and new perspectives. This combination of experience and innovative power makes us particularly powerful when it comes to developing customized solutions for our customers.”

• How did you become aware of the ESA BIC Northern Germany program and what motivated you to apply?

“We became aware of the ESA BIC Northern Germany program in 2021 after winning the Innospace Masters competition. We also knew the program through Kristina Nikolaus from Okapi Orbits, who is part of the ESA BIC network herself. We had also heard only positive things about the program from other founders. This combination of recommendations and our own motivation to further develop our company ultimately led us to apply. The ESA BIC offers us the perfect platform to further advance our ideas in space technology.”

• What are the highlights or goals you have achieved during your time as an incubatee?

“A particular highlight during our time as an incubatee was definitely that we have grown as a team – both in terms of personnel and organizationally. We have continuously worked to improve our internal structure and processes, which has significantly advanced our company. Another highlight were the test drives in Switzerland, which offered us unique opportunities to validate our technologies due to the excellent rail network there.

As a startup, we have undergone a strong development in this time, not only with regard to our projects, but also in terms of our self-image and our goals. I personally have also grown a lot in this phase and have learned a lot about entrepreneurial thinking and leadership. A highlight for me was also the media training or on-camera training with Hill Media, which prepared me for our public appearances.”

• What advice do you have for young companies and startups?

“My most important advice to young companies and startups is to develop resilience and perseverance – this is the A and O. There are always phases where things don’t go as planned, and it’s easy to get frustrated. Especially then, it’s crucial not to lose the joy of the work and to keep the big goal in mind.

Close cooperation within the founding team is particularly important. Trust each other and support each other. Self-confidence also plays a major role – a lot in business is just as much a mental challenge as it is, for example, in sports. This ability to stick with it and approach challenges with a strong mindset is just as essential in entrepreneurship.”

Learn more about PhySens GmbH at the following links:

Website: https://physens.de/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharina-ostaszewski-13256a20b/ YouTube

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01o1MuAt-Ag

ESA BIC Northern Germany Articles:

PhySens GmbH: Pioneer for the Future of Mobility and Industrial Efficiency

From Rosetta and Beyond: How PhySens GmbH is Revolutionizing the World of Magnetometers

PhySens during the installation of sensors in Switzerland (© PhySens GmbH).

High-precision, spatially resolved magnetic field measuring device for medical and bioscience research (© PhySens GmbH).

PhySens after completing their successful incubation period at ESA BIC Northern Germany: Katharina Ostaszewski and Henriette Struckmann (© PhySens GmbH).

As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, we invite you to discover the diverse paths taken by the ESA BIC Northern Germany alumni – from start to finish. Their experiences serve as inspiration and shed light on the opportunities offered within the vibrant ESA BIC Northern Germany community.

Join us on this journey and celebrate with us the innovation, collaboration, and boundless potential of startups in space technology. Together, we are shaping the future of entrepreneurship and technological progress, one success story after another.

About ESA BIC Northern Germany
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Business Incubation Center (BIC) in Northern Germany (ESA BIC Northern Germany) is headquartered together with the state’s aerospace association in the Bremen Innovation and Technology Center BITZ and the Digital Hub Industrie – two of Bremen’s largest innovation and technology centers for high-tech companies and startups. The ESA BIC Northern Germany brings new startup impulses to the region and thus strengthens the aerospace innovation cluster of the state of Bremen. The AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. supports the space incubatees with its network, public relations and targeted coaching, not only during the incubation period, but also in the application phase and afterwards as alumni. The STARTHAUS Bremen & Bremerhaven  is the central point of contact in the Bremen start-up ecosystem and supports the startups with all questions regarding business development and financing. The ESA BIC Northern Germany is managed by Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO), an international network and branding company for European space programs.

Since 2021, the ESA BIC Northern Germany has also been offering its service to startups with space connections in Schleswig-Holstein. The Technikzentrum Lübeck with GATEWAY49, AviaSpace and AZO jointly operate this expansion of the ESA BIC Northern Germany. Since 2024 the Innovationport Wismar of the Forschungs GmbH Wismar, together with AviaSpace and AZO, has also been providing access to the ESA BIC Northern Germany. It is further planned to expand the ESA BIC Northern Germany to the northern federal states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Berlin-Brandenburg.

The technical support of the ESA BIC Northern Germany is provided by Fraunhofer IFAM,  German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, DLR-RY Institute for Space Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar Research AWI, universities in the state of Bremen including various institutes such as the Institute of Environmental Physics, the University of Lübeck, the University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, the Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM, Life Science Nord, Airbus Group, ArianeGroup, AES Aircraft Elektro/Elektronik System.