Stakeholders
SpaceFounders was established by the French Space Agency and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, along with the Italian Space Agency. Deep spacetech expertise informs everything we do.
Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
CNES is the French Space Agency, a governmental organisation founded in 1961. As programme-focused agency and centre of technical expertise, CNES is responsible for shaping and implementing France’s space policy within the framework of international cooperation, particularly within Europe.
The Italian Space Agency (ASI)
ASI, the Italian Space Agency, was established in 1988 as a national authority with the task of drawing up and enacting Italian space policy in compliance with governmental guidelines.
The Agency has established itself as one of the world's foremost players in space science, satellite technology and the development of vehicles for exploring the cosmos. Today, ASI is a leader at the European and global levels. It has a close collaborative relationship with NASA and has participated in many of the most interesting scientific missions of recent years.
University of the Bundeswehr Munich
The University of the Bundeswehr Munich is a modern German university combining excellent teaching with practical research. It offers interdisciplinary programs, state-of-the-art labs, and close links to industry and government. This strong network drives innovation in engineering, technology, and applied sciences.
Team
When you’re doing something extraordinary, you need the support of people who understand pioneers. Together, we can achieve the incredible.
Andreas Heitmann
Andreas is a deep-tech and space innovation expert with extensive experience in venture building and early-stage startup support across Europe. As Managing Director Germany at SpaceFounders, he leads the German programme, guides founders on strategy, commercial growth and investment readiness, and develops relationships with institutional, industrial and investment partners.
Anthony Ricter
Anthony is an aerospace engineer and venture builder, with experience in corporate venture capital, M&A and early-stage investing. As Managing Director Italy at SpaceFounders, he oversees the Italian activities of the programme, supports startup selection and mentoring, and drives engagement with ASI, institutional partners and the wider industrial and investor network.
Quentin Robert
Quentin is an Aerospace & Defence investment specialist, with broad experience in venture capital, fundraising and startup development. As Managing Director France at SpaceFounders, he oversees the French activities of the programme, supports startup selection and mentoring, and fosters key partnerships across the European SpaceTech ecosystem.
Alexandre Bonnet
With a background in private equity and an enthusiasm for all deeptech related topics, Alexandre leads SpaceFounders’ investment activity. He previously worked in infrastructure investment at Omnes Capital.
Davide Giardino
Davide is a space industrial policy expert with experience working with the European Space Agency to support commercialisation and open innovation. He routinely advises institutions and companies on strategy and venture building. At SpaceFounders, he connects startups with key players across the European space ecosystem.
Tommaso Marchi
Tommaso is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship and has gained experience supporting early-stage startups at PoliHub, where he worked across venture analysis and program management, including for ESA BIC Milan. At SpaceFounders, he manages the Italian activities of the acceleration program, supporting startup selection, mentoring, and program execution.
Lisa Maretto
Lisa is a marketing and communications specialist with over 10 years of experience across engineering, astronomy, and the space sector. She supports commercial and tendering activities at Officina Stellare and leads internal and external communications. Since 2021, she has been part of the ESA BIC Padua team. Lisa acts as Program Manager at SpaceFounders.
Pierre-Louis Le Borgne
Pierre-Louis is passionate about space and entrepreneurship and has gained experience in strategy and innovation through roles at Telespazio and Bouygues Group. He also co-founded Wine’not and later worked as Chief of Staff, focusing on AI implementation and change management. At SpaceFounders, he works across several areas, particularly in investment-related topics and supporting the development and execution of the startup acceleration program.
Chiara Padua
Chiara holds a degree in Economics for Arts, Culture, and Communication from Bocconi University. She joined the Fintech District in 2020, helping establish the Milan Fintech Summit and leading community and events initiatives. She supports communications at SpaceFounders, creating content that engages the ecosystem.
Our partners
Our founding institutions are enriched by a wider network of industrial and investor partners to create an unrivalled space industry community.
