Contact with key ecosystem players is essential for space startups and scaleups. Here are some of the names and faces that founders may find helpful in Luxembourg.
Marc Serres
CEO at Luxembourg Space Agency since 2018, Marc Serres began his career with space satellite systems firm Hitec, before joining the public sector at the ministry of research in 2005 where he supervised ESA programmes. In 2014, he became head of space affairs at the Luxembourg ministry of economy.
Mario Grotz
Director General for industry, technology and research at the Luxembourg economy ministry, Mario Grotz has served as chairman of the board for Luxembourg promotion agency Luxinnovation since 2018. He is also a member of the steering board for the European Space Resources Innovation Center (Esric) powered by LIST and LSA.
Kathryn Hadler
Director of the European Space Resources Innovation Centre, which opened in 2022, Hadler has a strong academic background. She has a PhD in chemical engineering and lectured at Imperial College London, UK.
Mathias Link
The current director of the Luxembourg Space Agency, Mathias Link began his career as a research engineer. In 2012, he helped establish and manage the “Space for Mediterranean” initiative and then spent six years advising companies on research and development innovation at Luxinnovation before joining the ministry of economy in 2014.
Patricia Conti
Patricia Conti is Director at LSA. She holds a PhD in Robotics and joined Airbus Defence & Space in 1989. Head of Department from 1998 onwards, her career involved developing ground infrastructure for EO space systems, civil and defence. In 2009, she joined Luxinnovation as Head of Space sector. She currently focuses on the growth of the sector and the management of LSA.
Alexander Finch
Technical Director at Bradford Space (formerly Deep Space Industries), Alexander Finch has worked for over ten years in the space sector. He coordinates Space Beer, regular informal gatherings for the Luxembourg space ecosystem.
Tor Erland Fyksen
One of the founders of the Luxembourg Space Tech Angels, a business angels network for the sector. While the network no longer facilitates investments, it is often approached by entrepreneurs seeking funding advice and contacts.
This article was first published in the Silicon Luxembourg magazine. Get your copy.
