On the occasion of Biennale Tecnologia 2024, a permanent biennial event organised by Politecnico di Torino and dedicated to technology’s decisive impact on each aspect of human life, the innovative companies incubator I3P is offering an opportunity to meet the founders of several start-ups in the space sector to talk about their vision of humanity’s future in space, the origin of their business idea in this field, and the steps they are taking to turn it into reality.

Among the guests at the meeting, there will be three innovative companies supported by the incubator on their entrepreneurial growth path: AIKO, Space Cargo Unlimited and Space V. AIKO develops artificial intelligence for the automation of space missions, while Space Cargo Unlimited intends to exploit the potential of manufacturing in space for terrestrial commercial applications, and Space V operates in the field of bio-regenerative systems for inhabited space missions. United by their activities in the spacetech sector, the representatives of the three start-ups will share their experience in this field of enormous potential and their perspectives on the future of human presence in the cosmos.

During the event, an in-depth look will be given at the projects and initiatives offering concrete support to the birth and development of new businesses in the space economy, such as the ESA BIC Turin incubation program and the NODES Ecosystem, with its Spoke 1 dedicated to Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility, of which I3P is a partner. At the end of the meeting, it will be possible to meet in person several players in this fast-growing sector and possibly submit one’s own technology-based business idea in the space field to the ESA BIC Turin specialists, for a free initial discussion.

How to join the event

The event will be held, in Italian language, in the afternoon of Thursday, April 18^th, 2024, starting at 16:30 CEST, in presence at the Agorà hall of the I3P incubator, located within the Campus of Politecnico di Torino and accessible both from the main gate of corso Castelfidardo 30/A, and from the pedestrian entrance of via Pier Carlo Boggio 59.

Participation is free of charge, only requiring registration on Eventbrite.

Event programme

• 16:30 | Opening of the event and welcoming of the public
• 16:45 | Introductory remarks – Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin
• 16:50 | “Innovative entrepreneurship in the Space Economy” – Leo Italiano, Program Manager of ESA BIC Turin
• 17:00 | “The opportunities of the NODES Ecosystem for companies” – Sabrina Corpino, Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) of the Politecnico di Torino
• 17:10 | The case of AIKO – Giorgio Albano, Chief Legal Officer
• 17:20 | The project of Space Cargo Unlimited – Veronica La Regina, Director General
• 17:30 | The vision of Space V – Franco Malerba, Business Strategy Manager
• 17:40 | Round table: space startuppers discuss the role of innovation in the sector
• 18:10 | Q&A session with the audience
• 18:30 | Conclusion of the meeting and networking aperitif

Event speakers

Giorgio Albano, Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer of AIKO, holds a degree in Law from the University of Turin and is a qualified lawyer. After several experiences in the legal and privacy departments of international companies, he founded AIKO in 2017 together with two other partners and joined the company in 2021. Always passionate about new technologies, in 2023 he published together with Maura Zara the article “New Age Space Activities: Implementing Earth Observation and Reducing Inequality through Artificial Intelligence“, presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2023.

Veronica La Regina, Director General of Space Cargo Unlimited, has an illustrious professional background, with current roles in several international organisations and previous positions in large aerospace companies, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA), in addition to research roles at universities in Europe and the United States. Her educational background has included academic studies in systems engineering, space policy, economics and law. La Regina’s contributions in the field of space include publications, research affiliations, mentorship, government consulting and coaching within prestigious networks, cementing her as a leading figure in the field of space exploration and innovation.

Franco Malerba, Co-Founder and Business Strategy Manager of Space V, is a lecturer at the University of Genoa and the University of Leicester, but he made history as the first Italian astronaut: in 1992 he flew into space aboard the shuttle Atlantis, which carried the Eureca laboratory and the Tethered satellite. During his career he has been a researcher at CNR and ESA, held management positions in industry, was an elected member of the European Parliament and scientific attaché of the Italian diplomatic representation to the OECD, ESA and the International Energy Agency in Paris. Today, he contributes to the dissemination of science by organising the annual Space Festival in Busalla, Liguria.

Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P and Coordinator of ESA BIC Turin, is Professor of Business Economics and Innovation Economics and Management at Politecnico di Torino. His research activities focus on the economics and management of innovation, innovative entrepreneurship and the economics of science: on these topics he is the author of publications in international journals, including Science, Nature, Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Corporate Finance, and Research Policy. In recent years he has been scientifically responsible for research projects on economics and innovation policy funded by the European Commission, European Patent Office, EU Joint Research Center, European Investment Bank, MIUR, National Bureau of Economic Research.

Leo Italiano, Senior Consultant at I3P, has a degree in Management Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and has been working since 2010 at I3P, where he provides consulting support to technology start-ups and entrepreneurs in business planning and business development. He is also the Program Manager of ESA BIC Turin, the incubation programme for start-ups active in the aerospace sector promoted by the European Space Agency and managed by I3P.