Our team
The Space Ventures DK team is passionate about helping innovative companies navigate and thrive in the growing space economy. With a mix of industry expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and strong networks in both the public and private sectors, we’re here to guide startups and businesses as they explore opportunities in space technology and related markets.
ESA BIC DK Management & Capital Regional Hub

Sune Nordentoft Lauritsen
Managing Director
As the Head of DTU Space Ventures, Sune Nordentoft Lauritsen boldly steers Denmark's central hub for space commercialisation where no man has gone before. He's the ringmaster for the ESA Business Incubation Centre Denmark (ESA BIC Denmark), the ESA Technology Broker Denmark, and the national Space Commercialisation Denmark initiative. An "internet boomer" (who actually survived dial-up), Sune somehow ended up in space. His eclectic academic journey—spanning a master degree in Philosophy, a dimploma in Journalism, and an Executive MBA—equips him with a unconventional blend of wisdom and bad jokes to help Danish industry take advantage of commercial opportunities in the final frontier

Amanda Borup Pedersen
ESA BIC Manager
Amanda manages the ESA Business Incubation Centre, overseeing daily operations and building strong partnerships both in Denmark and internationally. Her role bridges strategy and execution, ensuring startups receive the right support at the right time.
With over a decade of experience in working with startups, Amanda previously led the Skylab Ignite accelerator and evaluated high-impact R&D projects at Innovation Fund Denmark.
Outside work, Amanda is a travel lover always chasing her next adventure - often involving odd food and unexpected situations. She also has an excessive fondness for candy, claiming that gummy bears fuel her best ideas

Poul Zimmermann Nielsen
Head of ESA Technology Broker Denmark
Drawing on 30+ years in international space programmes, I help Danish industries capitalise on the global space boom—fuelling the growth of new space companies and enhancing competitiveness across non-space sectors through the adoption of cutting-edge satellite-based services.

Kathrine Elvira Boysen
Head of External Relations
As the Head of External Relations at Space Ventures DK, Kathrine leads all outreach activities, including marketing, PR, events, and partnerships with key stakeholders. With a background from the digital agency Signifly in London, where she supported technology startups in building strong brands and achieving market growth, Kathrine brings valuable experience in positioning emerging companies within the space sector. Today, she uses these skills to make the space industry more accessible for entrepreneurs from all sectors. She is involved with both the ESA Business Incubation Centre and the ESA Technology Broker program where she consults startups and companies on storytelling, branding and marketing of space solutions.

Stefan Ovesen Banke
Business Coach & Deep Tech Specialist
Stefan Ovesen Banke is a deep tech entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in optical sensing, robotics, and advanced instrumentation. With a background in optical physics and leadership in multiple high-tech startups, he specializes in turning complex technologies into scalable products. At ESA BIC Denmark, he supports space-focused startups with strategic guidance on product development, technical validation, and commercialization. His expertise spans precision sensing, autonomous systems, and rugged hardware - key technologies for space and space-adjacent applications. Stefan is dedicated to helping founders navigate the path from breakthrough innovation to real-world impact

Micky Out
Project Coordinator
As the Project Coordinator at ESA BIC Denmark, Micky supports both the ESA Business Incubation Centre and the ESA Technology Broker program. With a background in anthropology, she brings a people-focused and organized approach to managing administrative tasks, coordinating reports, and keeping timelines on track. Often the first point of contact for questions, Micky helps ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. She keeps the team informed, aligned, and ready for what’s next

Signe Amalie Kûitse Tornager
Community Lead
As Community Lead at Space Ventures DK, Signe works with events and activities that strengthen the space startup community. With a background in innovation and entrepreneurship and ongoing studies in Technology Entrepreneurship, she is passionate about building connections and making the space sector more accessible for new founders

Katharine Mairin Rockliff
Space Technology Analyst
As a Space Technology Analyst, Mairin helps translate space-based assets into impactful applications on Earth. At the ESA Technology Broker, she identifies opportunities for terrestrial innovation and advises companies on integrating space technologies for funding and commercial uptake.
With hands-on industry experience in applying satellite systems, namely remote sensing and positioning, she brings technical insight to bridging the space and commercial sectors. Her prior work with the United Nations ESCAP Space Applications Section focused on how space tools can support sustainable development across Southeast Asia, and Mairin continues to be committed to unlocking the huge potential societal value of space

Sif Skov Velling
ESA BIC Student Assistant
As a Student Assistant, I play a key role in keeping daily operations running smoothly by managing a range of administrative and financial tasks. I review startup reports to ensure accurate progress tracking and provide ad-hoc support to the team, helping wherever needed to maintain efficient workflows.

María del Mar
Space Technology Analyst
As a Space Technology Analyst at ESA Technology Broker, María del Mar supports technology transfer and commercialization activities, helping companies adapt their technologies for space applications and access funding opportunities. With a background in Aerospace Engineering and a Master’s in Technology Entrepreneurship from DTU, she combines technical expertise with entrepreneurial skills to promote innovation in the space sector. Passionate about making space more accessible, she works on matching technology needs across industries with space-based solutions and supports companies in securing funding for spin-in activities to strengthen Denmark’s space ecosystem

Alfrida Wittrup
ESA BIC Student Assistant
As a student assistant providing administrative support at ESA BIC, Alfrida helps ensure smooth daily operations. Her responsibilities include scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, organizing internal documentation, handling inquiries, and assisting with event coordination.

Suki
Deputy of Treat Acquisition
Suki is the beloved office dog at DTU Space Ventures, where she boosts morale, enforces mandatory walk breaks, and ensures no lunch goes unnoticed. With a nose for innovation and a talent for tail-wagging diplomacy, she keeps the team grounded - sometimes literally, by sitting on their feet
Central denmark regional hub

Kartsen Bubber Outzen
Head of International Relations for ESA BIC Denmark and as Business Unit Manager
As the Head of International Relations for ESA BIC Denmark and as Business Unit Manager, Bubber focuses on building a strong international network to benefit incubated startups and alumni. He is also an ESA business mentor from Fundación para el Conocimiento Madrid, where he supports space-related startups in developing their business models and strategies.
Recently Bubber has played a key role in the cross Nordic collaboration with ESA BIC in Finland, Norway, and Sweden bringing dual-use and defence on the entrepreneurial agenda.
Bubber's expertise is rooted in his academic background, with an M.A. in Information Science and a B.A. in Economics from Aarhus University. For decades, he has applied this knowledge as a consultant, the founder of his own digital agency, and in director-level positions at both digital agencies and large corporations. This extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of UX, marketing, strategy, and communication.
Today, he channels this expertise into fostering innovation at Aarhus University. As a Business Unit Manager at Open Entrepreneurship DK, he helps academics commercialize their research, while his role as a Senior Digital Business Developer at The Kitchen incubator sees him directly mentoring entrepreneurs. He also helps guide the university’s strategic space initiatives as a member of the AU Space Centre steering committee and is an active member of the executive network VL-gruppe 121.

Christoffer Karoff
Regional Hub Manager
As Regional Hub Manager at the ESA Business Incubation Centre at Aarhus University, Christoffer focuses on the pre-incubation phase, helping students and researchers explore the commercial potential of their space technology projects. With over 20 years of experience in space science, he leads the Danish Student CubeSat Program DISCO, uniting students from Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen to build and launch satellites. As Distinguished Senior Innovator at Aarhus University, Christoffer’s research centers on greenhouse gas monitoring using satellites, drones and sensors. He is passionate about interdisciplinary innovation and leverages his expertise to develop sustainable solutions and support the next generation of space entrepreneurs
.avif)
Jonas Brandt
Head of Business Development
Jonas is the Head of Business Development at Aarhus University's Innovation Hub, The Kitchen. Jonas' department is responsible for Technology Transfer from Aarhus University as well as a number of initiatives in innovation and entrepreneurship, including the Aarhus Business Incubation Center for ESA
North denmark regional hub

Gert Spender-Andersen
Business Unit Manager
Gert Spender-Andersen – Business Unit Manager at ESA BIC Denmark and Open Entrepreneurship at Aalborg University, serial entrepreneur, and startup advisor – will share insights on how early-stage founders can tap into space-related opportunities and why investors should pay close attention to the growing Nordic space tech ecosystem.
With a track record of helping launch over 50 startups across nearly all academic fields – including the space sector – Gert brings deep experience from the intersection of academia, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He maintains strong, daily connections with both investors and industry players and was the driving force behind the Aalborg Investor Summit, co-founded in collaboration with EIFO.
In addition, Gert has more than 25 years of hands-on experience as a serial entrepreneur

Trine Reinholt Andersen
Innovation Project Coordinator
Trine is responsible for the marketing and communication efforts of AAU Space, including ESA BIC Denmark at Aalborg University. She leads strategic communication, coordinates events, and produces content such as case stories, news articles, and videos for digital platforms. Trine also supports researchers with visual communication - developing pitch decks, graphics, and brand identities for everything from funding applications to early-stage startup- and spin-out projects
South Denmark Regional Hub

Sune Loll
Senior Business Developer

Mikkel Theiss Kristensen
Postdoc, Fysik
