Connecting the Curious: Stage for Startups, Students and Young Professionals to Meet

Connecting the Curious is a vibrant networking event that brings together students, young professionals, and startups within the European space technology sector. Held alongside the Space Tech Expo Bremen, Connecting the Curious focuses on career development, connecting with industry leaders, and entrepreneurial opportunities by offering the stage for 28 pitches. In collaboration with ESA BIC Noordwijk/SBIC Noordwijk, ESA BIC Northern Germany/AVIAspace, ESA BIC Bavaria/AZOspace and BDLI, the event is growing in participants, pitches and partners to offer you even more at the next edition in 2025.

Building a Collaborative Community 

Organised within walking distance of the Space Tech EXPO Europe in Bremen, this gathering offers a platform for inspiration, career development, and networking. Attendees can do a 30-second pitch and meet like-minded young talents while connecting with industry players. The event’s core strength lies in its ability to connect diverse participants—students preparing for graduation, young professionals pitching innovative ideas, and startups showcasing their potential. Inge Heidt, ESA BIC Coach at Starthaus Bremen-Bremerhaven, highlighted the value of the event for the ecosystem: “Listening to these creative ideas allows us to connect and foster matchmaking. For example, if someone is seeking an internship, we can link them to startups aligned with their interests. It’s all about building a supportive and close-knit community.” 

Attendees also had the opportunity to network with representatives from influential organisations such as ESA, regional space offices, and BDLI. These connections provide young talents with exposure to industry leaders and decision-makers, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Highlights from the 2024 Edition 

This year, Connecting the Curious, drew 154 attendees and featured 28 engaging pitches. Maaike Smelter, Community Manager at NL Space Campus, shared her thoughts: “We had a fantastic event with a record-breaking number of participants, confirming the interest from the sector. It’s always rewarding to see such energy and engagement when offering a network opportunity. Next year, we aim to make it even bigger, so save the date for the Wednesday evening during Space Tech Expo 2025!”

Martijn Leinweber, ESA BIC manager and COO of SBIC Noordwijk emphasised the growth and scale of this year’s edition: “This is the third year of the event, and it’s grown significantly in size and impact. Seeing the crowd while standing on stage was remarkable. The number of attendees has increased every year, and the creativity and energy are evident. It’s a testament to the importance of fostering such a community.” 

Johannes Krohn, ESA BIC manager at AVIA space: “The atmosphere at the event was truly inspiring and positive, with lively conversations and facilitating numerous new connections. It was evident that everyone was engaged and delighted to be part of such an energising and collaborative environment. This would not be possible without the startups and young professionals being excited to be there and courageously get on stage for a 30-second pitch.” 

This year BDLI is a new industry partner for Connecting the Curious, connecting the participants with the largest industry organisation in Germany. Chiara Moenter, BDLI Manager for Space adds “I was truly honored to represent BDLI as a collaborative partner at Connecting the Curious this year! It’s an incredibly dynamic event that not only sparks innovation but also fosters meaningful connections. At BDLI, our mission is to attract new talent to the aerospace industry, and events like these create invaluable opportunities for collaboration and innovation. We are already excited to return next year!”

Looking Ahead 

As Connecting the Curious continues to grow, its organisers are excited to create an even greater opportunities for attendees and partners. Martijn Leinweber encouraged organisations to get involved: “Contact us! Let’s discuss how we can collaborate. Whether you’re scouting for fresh talent or exploring partnerships, this event offers numerous possibilities.” 

The event’s success reflects its ability to inspire, connect, and support participants. As preparations begin for the next edition, the goal is clear: to build on this momentum and create an even more impactful experience. Former participants will all receive a personal invite in time for the event. Stay connected with NL Space Campus and its partners for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to be part of this thriving space ecosystem. For now save the date for 19 November in your calendar if you want to join us next edition!

More information: https://www.nlspacecampus.eu/news/connecting-the-curious-stage-for-startups-students-and-young-professionals-to-meet/