How can technologies move from space to Earth — and from Earth back to space? And what does it take to turn these cross-sector opportunities into real projects?
That was the focus of the session STAM organised at BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo as ESA Technology Broker for Italy. Moderated by Anilkumar Dave, From Space to Earth and Back: Business Opportunities and ESA Funding Instruments gave attending companies the chance to hear first-hand experiences from Mauro Sampellegrini (Confindustria Moda), Marco Scatto (Relicta) and Michele Andolfo (Mondo Group): the opportunities they identified, the challenges they encountered and what it took to turn an initial idea into a concrete space technology transfer project.
The discussion also brought in the perspectives of ESA and ASI on the support available to companies, with valuable contributions from Michele Iapaolo and Marco Pizzarelli. STAM’s Executive Director, Stefano Carosio, explained how, working in close collaboration with ESA and ASI, the ESA Technology Broker helps build bridges between the space and non-space sectors.
This works in both directions:
🔹 supporting space companies in identifying new terrestrial applications for their technologies and know-how, or in addressing the challenges of future space missions by building new teams with innovative non-space players;
🔹 helping non-space companies identify solutions enabled by space technologies, enter new markets, or explore how their own technologies can be adapted and integrated into future space applications and missions.
And the support does not stop at identifying the right technology or partner.
Through ESA Spark Funding, promising technology transfer opportunities can be de-risked and moved towards implementation, supporting activities ranging from technical feasibility, breadboarding and business-case validation to the development and demonstration of more mature solutions with potential users and customers.
This combination of technology scouting, matchmaking, technical and business support, access to ESA expertise and funding can turn cross-sector ideas into real innovation projects.
Thank you to all our panellists for sharing their experiences, and to everyone who joined us at BEX. We hope the conversation gave more companies a practical starting point for exploring opportunities from space to Earth — and back to space.