Meet the speakers joining the “Insights from European Space Innovators” panel at the EU-Startups Summit 2026!

Europe’s space sector is entering an exciting new phase, driven by ambitious founders developing technologies for orbital infrastructure, in-space research, and next-generation aerospace applications. As innovation in this field accelerates, a growing number of startups are helping push the boundaries of what can be built, tested, and commercialised beyond Earth. In our panel “Insights from European Space Innovators”, we will explore the opportunities, challenges, and realities of building a space-focused company in Europe.

The discussion will look at what it takes to develop breakthrough technologies in the space sector, how founders are navigating technical and commercial complexity, and where Europe’s space innovation ecosystem is heading next.

Francesco Cacciatore: Co-founder and CEO/CTO of Orbital Paradigm, Francesco is an aerospace engineer and founder of reusable in-space transportation systems for the next generation of the space industry. Based in Madrid, he leads the company’s work on return-to-Earth and re-entry technologies designed to support agile, reusable orbital logistics, drawing on deep technical experience from previous senior engineering and leadership roles in the aerospace sector.

Marek Marusin: Co-founder and CEO of Zaitra, Marek is building a SpaceTech and AI company focused on making satellite operations faster, smarter, and more autonomous. Based in Brno, he leads the development of onboard AI systems designed to deliver insights from satellites in seconds rather than hours, helping address latency in Earth observation and space operations. He has been recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 and is part of a new generation of founders shaping Europe’s space innovation landscape.

Mariano Garcia Orgiles: Lead Investor Relations at PLD Space, one of Europe’s leading space launch companies. He is responsible for connecting the company with global investors and supporting its growth strategy. Based in Elche, Mariano contributes to scaling a business that designs, develops, manufactures, and operates space launch vehicles. PLD Space made history with the launch of MIURA 1, the first private rocket launched in Europe, and is now advancing towards the commercialisation of its MIURA 5 launcher.

Bruno Santos: Co-founder and Director of Research and Development at Exobiosphere, Bruno is a biotech researcher and innovator working at the intersection of space and drug discovery. Based in Luxembourg, he leads the company’s R&D efforts to leverage microgravity for more predictive preclinical studies, helping develop new approaches to biomedical research and therapeutic discovery through space-enabled experimentation.

If you are interested in frontier technologies, deeptech entrepreneurship, and the startups helping shape Europe’s future in space, this panel will offer valuable insights from founders building at the edge of innovation. Secure your ticket today and stay tuned for further updates on our event page.