Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine
Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance
Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust
Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine
Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History
Luxembourg Centre for European Law
Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems
Space Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Venture
Turn a space idea into a venture. Work with peers from 7 European universities. Pitch to an international jury.
StarTech Summer School 2026 is an intensive UNIVERSEH blended programme that equips students with the entrepreneurial mindset, practical tools, and cross-border network to conceive and develop a space start-up from the first spark of an idea to a compelling venture pitch.
The programme unfolds in three connected phases.
- Online foundation lectures (15-30 April 2026), where you and your interdisciplinary team build shared knowledge across space systems & technology, space economy & entrepreneurship, and space law, regulation & IP.
- An immersive onsite week (4-8 May 2026) at the SKIP Pavilion, University of Luxembourg, Belval Campus. Five days of team ideation, mentoring loops and expert-led sessions culminating in a final pitch to an international jury.
- A debrief session (2 hours) in late May 2026, where you reflect on the journey and consolidate your learning.
Open to Bachelor, Master and PhD students from all disciplines – STEM and non-STEM alike – this is your opportunity to step into the European space ecosystem, work in a genuinely international team, and develop skills that go far beyond the classroom.
Key facts
- 3 ECTS credits upon successful completion
- Language of instruction: English (B2 level recommended)
- Travel and accommodation costs largely covered, subject to home university approval (Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme — 2024-1-LU01-KA131-HED-000220536-1)
- Limited to 50 places across 7 UNIVERSEH partner universities
Objectives
- Apply core entrepreneurship tools – business model canvas, customer discovery, value proposition design – to a real space-sector challenge
- Work effectively in international, interdisciplinary teams under real time and resource constraints
- Understand the landscape of the European space ecosystem: its players, regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and market dynamics
- Develop and deliver a structured venture pitch to a professional expert jury
- Build a cross-European network of peers, mentors, and industry professionals in the space sector
Programme
Live mandatory online sessions, scheduled mainly in the evenings to fit your timetable. Three thematic modules prepare you before arrival:
- Space Systems & Technology
- Space Economy, Business & Entrepreneurship
- Space Law, Regulation & Intellectual Property
| Date and Time | Lecture |
|---|---|
| April 16, 2026 18.00 – 19.00 | B-4: Interdisciplinary Teamwork Lecturer: Prof Dr. Peter TÖRLIND |
| April 21, 2026 18.00 – 19.00 | International space law Lecturer: Scarlet O’Donnell |
| April 22, 2026 18.00 – 19.00 | Satellite communication and network Lecturer: Assist. Prof Dr. Eva LAGUNAS |
| April 22, 2026 19.00 – 19.30 | Private companies’ strategies in New Space Lecturer: Assist. Prof Dr. Magdalena TEISSANDIER |
| April 23, 2026 18.00 – 19.00 | How Space Systems Work Lecturer: Assoc. Prof Dr. Andreas HEIN |
| April 24, 2026 18.00 – 19.00 | POQUITO: from concept to orbit Lecturer: Assoc. Prof Dr. Andreas HEIN |
| April 27, 2026 18.00 – 19.00 | Introduction to Space robotics Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Miguel Olivares-Mendez |
| April 27, 2026 19.00 – 20.00 | Innovation & Space Lecturer: Assist. Prof Christian FISCH |
A 2-hour online closing session to reflect, consolidate learning, and celebrate the programme. Date to be confirmed.
