Intern in the Commercialisation Department

Our team and mission

The Commercialisation Department is responsible for identifying and incubating new space start-ups and businesses with a commercial and competitive potential and setting up the environment to enable these businesses to commercialize their products outside the perimeter of ESA programs, including training, access to finance and provision of IOD/IOV opportunities.

ESA has been stimulating commercial activities in space and space-enabled domains throughout the last two decades. It is since 2021, however, that ESA regroups critical experience, knowledge and activities under the newly formed Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Procurement. Under this new umbrella of the commercialisation department, ESA can unlock the exploitation of new markets in an evolving ecosystem by identifying new trends and gaps; fostering venture creation and disruptive innovation; and attracting private investment into the sector.  

The Investment and Ventures team aims at supporting European Space start-ups that have managed to demonstrate their technologies and are ready to develop their businesses. On the ventures side, the team works closely with pre-commercial ESA programmes to identify and promote promising projects and start-ups. On the investment side, and through the newly created ESA Investor Network we facilitate expertise exchange between ESA and investors. Overall the goal is threefold, supporting investors in making informed investment decisions; helping them in their fundraise to ensure we have large enough investment funds capable to support companies throughout their investment lifecycle; and matching public and private financial efforts supporting portfolio companies. Furthermore, strong collaboration with the European Commission (through Cassini), the European Investment Bank Group and the EUSPA ensure alignment and leveraging of public support mechanisms for both investors and companies and identify future needs. 

For further information visit our web site: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic: Investments and ventures  

You will be involved in supporting investors relations activities. This includes:

1. Communication / Events
 - Helping in the organisation of specific match-making events for investors
 - Drafting articles, communications and newsletter dedicated to investors through a thorough watch over the space ecosystem developments
 - Tracking latest news in the ecosystem, especially related to the Investor Network Portfolio companies

2. Research
- Scouting for new opportunities and companies fitting investors’ investment scope 
- Supporting the identification of potential ESA Rising Stars steaming from ESA Pre-Commercial Programmes 
- Supporting in the due diligence process for both investors and companies
- Business Plan Analysis 
- Performing analysis on ESA Member States, and their financial space ecosystem supporting the growth of the ESA Investor Network 

3. Ad-hoc support
- Helping in the update and consolidation of financial data platforms

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship. You should preferably be in your final or second to last year of a university course at master’s level in a technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

Knowledge and background in Economics, Finance or Business Administration is an asset. 

• You have some knowledge of the financial ecosystem and understanding of company’s investment lifecycle.
• You have strong analytics and organisational skills
• You are proactive and autonomous
• You have a demonstrated interest in space technologies and start-ups.