Author: Carmel McNamara
The first two editions of the 2025 Tech Needs Discovery (TND) event series have propelled us to a point where we can launch the third edition in a brand new format. Register for TND #3 on 25 Sep at SBIC Noordwijk to join the co-creation of solutions for a myriad of industry challenges from all four sectors – agri-food, energy, high tech and, of course, space – but this time with a twist. Attendees will submit what they believe is the most pressing challenges they are facing right now; they will see the space sector not taking centre stage and, instead, coming together with the three other industries to jointly design solutions.
Don’t miss out on your last chance this year to join with the ESA Technology Broker NL to explore tech transfer opportunities beyond your own domain. Get fresh ideas generated by cross-sector teams. Establish forward-thinking collaborations. Read on to find out more from the main contact Jacobo Domingo. Register to take part!
Building on the success of first two TND editions
Throughout 2025, the Dutch broker has premiered a new event format to connect the space industry with other sectors in a practical and pragmatic way, which has already been gaining attention across the broader ESA broker network. The Dutch broker’s goal for establishing and curating the Tech Needs Discovery series is clear – to connect non-space and space innovators. This started in March with the broker facilitating connections to first highlight how space tech can help solve non-space challenges (read TND #1 report) and in June saw non-space innovators invited to tackle space challenges (read TND #2 report).
As the series progressed, connections were facilitated between the space sector and relevant non-space industries, including agri-food, energy and high tech. These are among the key focus areas of the ESA Technology Broker NL, linking space solutions to industrial challenges in the Dutch top sectors with a high socio-economic impact. At each session, the broker contacts – Jacobo Domingo and Raoul Voeten – moderated guided matchmaking and informal networking, sparking ideas about how technologies from outside the innovators’ domains can support innovation within them.
Fuelling fresh thinking
“The first two events allowed us to explore presenting tech needs on stage, through an informal discussion, moderated by the broker, and diving deep into the companies’ experiences, perspectives on cross-sector collaborations, as well as the ins and outs of the needs and challenges they faced,” comments Jacobo. “This set the scene for effective matchmaking conversations between said parties, which later on led to a number of post-event collaborations.”
The format has proven to be a success with the March and June editions of Tech Needs Discovery leading to 70+ new cross-sector connections and 10+ active follow-ups and collaborations. Agri-tech innovations featured highly in the successful outcomes of TND #1, for instance: EUSPA made a fruitful connection in the Viscon Group; and Gravity Gardens established an exciting collaboration with Bayer. For TND #2, it was organisations with hardware, software and data-driven technologies answering the call to identify solutions for the needs set out by the space companies who took to the stage (matches included: Xiver with ESA; Enduteq with LioniX International; and Hukseflux with Spherical Systems).
Propelled to the next level for TND #3
The event series now builds on this success and expands to a more interactive format bringing innovators from the space sector together with those from agri-food, energy and high tech to tackle real-world challenges. At the third event TND #3, there will be co-creation of solutions for a myriad of industry challenges from all four sectors.
Attendees will see the space sector not being central this time and, instead, innovators from all four sectors will work alongside each other on the selected topics picked from the submitted industry challenges.
“Space is no longer in centre stage but rather part of a larger community of different sectors coming together to foster innovation. In this context, methodologies from the space industry can help pave the way when it comes to bringing together professionals from different backgrounds to solve together a single problem,” says Jacobo.
Breakout sessions focus on different industry challenges
“We will select one topic per industry, previously submitted by you, the participants. Each one will be assigned the focus for a working group. You’ll join a table, roll up your sleeves, and collaborate to unpack the challenge by exploring innovative solutions and sharing fresh perspectives. After the workshops, one person from each group will present the results on stage.”
This new approach of mixing innovations and technologies from a multitude of domains and applying them to real-world industry challenges of the other sectors is an intriguing one. “These breakout sessions will each focus on one topic from one sector and will be tackled by professionals from all the aforementioned ones. The role of the key broker contacts will be to use our experience in technology transfer and strategic design to support the different groups into co-creating their solutions (i.e. problem identification and ideation, value creation, transfer of technology, business model and plan…),” explains Jacobo further. “We are eager to see what comes to fruition.”
Interactive format for final TND edition of 2025
In advance of the last 2025 TND edition, the success so far of this initiative is evident. “I believe this event series as a whole has cemented the role of ESA Technology Broker NL as a facilitator and connector of industries, mindsets, perspectives and insights across the board,” Jacobo concludes. “We’ll wrap up with drinks and open networking, giving everyone the chance to connect further and discuss follow ups sparked during the working sessions.”
EVENT DETAILS
Where & when
Date: Thu 25 Sep 2025
Lunch: 13:00 to 13:45*
Event: 14:00 to 17:00
Location: SBIC Noordwijk
Registration link: click here
Event poster: click here (PDF)
*Let us know about allergies or dietary requirements
Schedule for the event:
13:00 Walk-in and network lunch
14:00 Industry challenges
14:30 Sector workshops
15:30 Break
15:45 Solutions on-stage
16:45 Broker recap
17:00 Networking
19:00 End
The TND #3 event ends at 17:00 and NL Space Campus Network & Drinks will then start in the same location. All participants are invited to join and separate (free) registration is required (go here).
Who will benefit from this event?
Innovation-driven minds ready to solve complex problems with creative solutions:
🔹 Startups and SMEs: Seeking use cases, partners, scaling support
🔹Large enterprises: Scouting innovation and disruptive tech
🔹Public organisations: Driving impact through policy or procurement
🔹Research institutes: Translating research into practice
“The Tech Needs Discovery event series as a whole has cemented the role of our broker as a facilitator and connector of industries, mindsets, perspectives and insights across the board”
Jacobo Domingo, main broker contact
Support for the co-creation of cutting-edge solutions
The technology broker of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the Netherlands is a programme that is jointly managed by Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk and NL Space Campus, working closely with the Netherlands Space Office. The conclusion of this year’s unique event series from the Dutch broker is held, once again, in collaboration with Holland High Tech and Hi Delta. The free event series brings together non-space and space sectors and includes on-stage talks for sharing technical needs and challenges, guided by experts from the broker and partners.
The highlight of this final edition of 2025, on 25 Sep at SBIC Noordwijk, is anticipated to be the co-creation of solutions via specific industry challenge workshops. Don’t miss your last chance to join with the broker to explore tech transfer opportunities beyond your own domain. Here are just some reasons why you should attend:
🔹Understand pressing challenges from other sectors
🔹Explore tech transfer opportunities beyond your domain
🔹Work in cross-sector teams to generate fresh ideas
🔹Present your insights and meet potential collaborators
🔹Wrap up with Network & Drinks to follow up on new leads
Be sure to register your place without delay as spots are limited
About the broker: The ESA Technology Broker for the Netherlands – jointly operated by the Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk and NL Space Campus – facilitates technology transfer solutions across key focus sectors: Agri-Food, Energy, High Tech and Logistics. The broker drives innovation by identifying partnership opportunities and leveraging tech roadmaps. The goal is to address high socio-economic challenges through Dutch advancements and beyond. It works closely with European Space Agency and the Netherlands Space Office. esa-technology-broker.nl