D-Orbit's Luca Rossettini and DCUBED's Thomas Sinn exemplify the long and winding road of securing institutional funding in the European space sector. Rossettini faced rejection from ESA after a promising pitch, ultimately turning that setback into a €2.5 million contract seven years later. Meanwhile, Sinn bootstrapped his company with a 3D printer and his savings, leading to over 30 flown products. Both journeys highlight that resilience and patience are key when dealing with institutional funding, which often comes with long waits and unexpected challenges. Their experiences emphasize the importance of viewing public funders as unique customers, requiring different approaches compared to traditional investors.
Originally published at vira.space.
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