The first INNOspace Masters competition was positively received by the public. Nearly 50 completed submissions from eight different countries enriched the first edition of the ideas competition. Among these ideas, more than 50 percent originated from non-space sectors. Almost 200 participants from 20 countries attended the conference in Berlin in the beginning of May this year.
According to the motto “Satellite 4.0” current trends in the aerospace sector, such as the New Space Economy and the increasing commercialisation, were especially highlighted. Furthermore, new avenues for enhancing international competitiveness and innovation capability were discussed by renowned speakers and panellists in front of a high-ranked audience. The high-point of the INNOspace Masters conference was the festive Awards Ceremony honouring the finalists.
Under the guiding principle “Satellite 4.0” ideas and concepts, tackling current challenges of the space industry with innovative proposed solutions, were seeked from 16 September 2015 until 21 January 2016. The partners of the competition, comprising the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Airbus Defence and Space as well as the two German ESA Business Incubation Centres, awarded prizes in three categories, that each had different requirements regarding degrees of maturity and innovation. The winners, who were awarded on 4 May 2016 in Berlin already are able to announce first successes.
Interview with the Three Challenge Winners
We interviewed the finalists and asked them how their businesses developed in the meantime, what kind of plans they have and which trends they consider to be especially important for the future space industry. Please click the according link for the informative interviews:
The overall winner of the INNOspace Masters and winner of the DLR Space Administration Challenge, Chair of Information Technology in Aerospace at the University of Würzburg, with their project „SKITH – Skip the Harness“, led by Prof Dr Sergio Montenegro, were delighted to receive numerous press inquiries and were also able to make new academic contacts within their field of research. At present, the project application for research funding by the DLR is still in process, but the chances are very good. Read the interview with SKITH – Skip the Harness.
ViaLight Communications GmbH, winner of the Airbus Defence and Space Challenge, has opened a new subsidiary in the USA and now wants to convince American customers on-site. Read the interview with ViaLight Communications GmbH.
The company SPiN Tech, winner of the ESA BIC Challenge, is now part of the ESA BIC Bavaria and currently in search of additional investors and new clients. Read the interview with SPiN Tech.
Pitch-Videos: The finalists present their awarded projects
Do you want to see the recap of the finalists’ pitches during the Awards Ceremony? Then please click the according link for a short presentation of the awarded projects:
SKITH – Skip the Harness |
ViaLight Communications GmbH  |
SPiN Tech |
INNOspace Symposium
The DLR Space Administration, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Energy, and the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology organise a cross-industry symposium on “Earth Observation as an infrastructure of the future? Benefits for energy supply, insurances, construction and critical infrastructures” on 6 October 2016. The symposium is supported by the Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO), bavAIRia e.V. and invest-in-bavaria.
Please, mark the date already now:
6 October 2016, 10:00 to 17:00, at Kongress im Park in Augsburg, Bavaria.
We recommend to already get registered, places are limited.
Registration for the Symposium
