European startup competition

Let’s tap into the potential for synergies from the space industry and the manufacturing sector – based on industry challenges that span both space and manufacturing, the space meets manufacturing startup competition will shed light on multi-market solutions and accelerate their application in cross-sectoral environments.

space meets manufacturing is collaboratively organised by NL Space Campus,  SBIC Noordwijk and EIT Manufacturing.

The principle is simple: there will be real-life industry challenges from the space and manufacturing sector and startups from both the manufacturing and space sector are invited to submit their solutions.

• Manufacturing challenges → space solutions
• Space challenges → manufacturing solutions

Startups can present their solutions to companies and companies get to know new technologies that can solve their challenges. If it’s a match, it can result in a pilot project.

The challenges

Challenge 1 by ArcelorMittal: Predictive tool for weldability – Development of a predictive tool that quantifies both operational weldability (the likelihood of producing acceptable welds without critical defects) and technical weldability (properties of the weld zone after the thermal cycle: hardness, toughness, phase composition) for (C-Mn) steels and provides process parameter recommendations.

Challenge 2 by ArcelorMittal: Multi-purpose structural optimisation tool – Development of a software solution that couples parametric CAD models with automated FEA and multi-objective optimisation (e.g., stiffness vs. weight, payload vs. cost), including material selection and manufacturing constraints, to generate manufacturable design alternatives systematically.

Challenge 3 by ESA: Non-destructive inspection (NDI) methods – Reduce cost and lead time of Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) for (large-series) spacecraft manufacturing.

Challenge 4 by ESA: Serial production technologies for hardware and (space) electronics – Reduce cost and lead time for space electronics Hardware, to support trend towards larger series commercial spacecraft.

Challenge 5 by Technoport/ESRIC: Bridging terrestrial technologies to space applications – Turn space resources into reality with solutions to advance Space Resource Utilization (SRU) across prospecting, extraction and manufacturing. The focus is about adapting technologies for extreme environments, from autonomous surveying and excavation to producing oxygen, water, propellants and construction materials, enabling practical and scalable offworld resource use.

Download the PDF and get more information about the challenges: Challenges for startup competition

If you represent a startup and are interested in submitting a solution proposal for the challenges, submit your solution until 3 November 2025 23:59 CET to take part in the competition: Submission is closed

Terms and Conditions_space meets manufacturing

The finalists

• ESOS Wind GmbH: Combining deep technical expertise with innovative processes to improve reliability and reduce costs in renewable energy infrastructure. Their industrial AI solutions turn data into clear insights, reliable predictions and smarter everyday decisions.
• IndustryApps: A B2B SaaS company that empowers manufacturers with AI, digital twins and modular Industry 4.0 solutions. Their open-standards platform helps companies turn siloed data into actionable insights.
• GeDy TrAss: A startup focused on advanced sensing and diagnostic solutions, particularly for structural and material health monitoring (e.g., in aerospace or factory settings).
• Resoniks: A technology company developing high-precision measurement instruments or resonant sensor systems, enabling better monitoring and quality control in both space and manufacturing contexts.
• Warden Machinery: Specialises in building robust, automated machinery systems – combining mechanical design and smart automation for industrial environments, possibly with space-grade reliability.
• Novo AI: A German AI company that offers real-time machine monitoring and predictive insights via its WatchMen platform and AVA sensor modules. Their solution helps optimise production, reduce downtime and improve resource efficiency.
• Sightwise: Developers of a synthetic-data-based machine vision platform for industrial inspection. Their technology accelerates AI training and improves defect detection across manufacturing lines.
• DENKweit: A German tech company specialising in AI-based imaging and non-contact magnetic field measurement, particularly for industrial quality control and diagnostics.
• TUMI Robotics Space: Builds AI-driven robotic inspection systems capable of operating in extreme and confined environments from underground mining to space-like structures to assess structural integrity.
• Uncharted AI: A startup leveraging advanced AI and possibly digital mapping or computer vision to address complex challenges in manufacturing and space sectors (e.g., navigation, anomaly detection or autonomous exploration).
• SPAIDER Space: Provides secure, mission-grade AI agents for aerospace applications. Their agents operate with high autonomy, maintain data privacy and support critical workflows in space missions.