We’re over the moon to announce that Dr. Norah Patten, an accomplished aeronautical engineer and bioastronautics researcher, will join us at the EU-Startups Summit 2025 in sunny Malta on April 24-25!
Dr. Patten is set to make history as the first Irish person to become an astronaut, following her announcement in June 2024 as part of the IIAS-02 crew for a future research spaceflight with Virgin Galactic, scheduled for 2026. With an impressive background that bridges academia, industry, and space exploration, Dr. Patten is at the forefront of innovation and discovery in aeronautics and astronautics.
A graduate of the University of Limerick with a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering, Norah’s career spans industrial experience with The Boeing Company and Bell Labs Alcatel Lucent, as well as participation in the prestigious International Space University Space Studies Program. As a former global faculty member at the International Space University and current staff member at Réaltra Space Systems Engineering in Dublin, she has dedicated her career to advancing the frontiers of space technology and inspiring the next generation of explorers.
At the EU-Startups Summit, Norah will take the main stage to share her journey from Ireland to space, discussing her groundbreaking work in bioastronautics and her upcoming spaceflight with Virgin Galactic. She’ll also delve into the challenges and opportunities of pursuing a career in aerospace, offering unique insights into leadership, resilience, and innovation in one of the most demanding fields on Earth (and beyond!).
Don’t miss this chance to be inspired by Dr. Norah Patten’s incredible story and vision for the future of space exploration. Join us in Malta to hear from Norah and many other visionary speakers at the EU-Startups Summit 2025. Secure your ticket today, and stay tuned for more speaker announcements and event highlights on our event page!
HEADLINE SPONSOR
Malta Enterprise is Malta’s economic development agency, facilitating economic growth, investment, and innovation, by offering a range of support services for local and foreign enterprises setting up a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta’s economic landscape, it contributes to the nation’s prosperity by attracting investments, supporting businesses, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta’s position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for startups and offering tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.
OUR SPONSORS
Scytale is the global leader in compliance automation, helping startups get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat. Compliance experts offer personalised guidance to streamline compliance, enabling faster growth and boosting customer trust.
Airwallex is a leading global financial platform for modern businesses, offering trusted solutions to manage everything from payments, treasury, and spending management to embedded finance. With its proprietary infrastructure, Airwallex takes the friction out of global payments and financial operations, empowering businesses of all sizes to unlock new opportunities and grow beyond borders. Proudly founded in Melbourne, Airwallex supports over 100,000 businesses globally and is trusted by brands such as Brex, Rippling, Navan, Qantas, SHEIN and many more.
The M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 114 years. The Group’s growth and diversification have resulted in a wide coverage of business sectors through a commitment to long-term results. M. Demajo Group’s workforce is 500 strong and their various activities have been developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial situation and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its renowned track record as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a flagship initiative of the European Commission to turn disruptive European science into groundbreaking commercial propositions and accelerate the scale-up of “game-changing” innovations. It is a key building bloc of a reinforced European ecosystem and the New European Innovation Agenda, filling the gap between R&D support, private investors, and the market. With a budget of over €10 billion under the Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) it seeks to position Europe as a global leader in the current wave of deep tech innovation.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/01/dr-norah-patten-aeronautical-engineer-and-irelands-first-astronaut-will-speak-at-the-eu-startups-summit-2025/