NewSpaceVision Podcast

#49: Inside the Mind of a Space Engineer Turned VC (Feat. Koen Geurts, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF)

In this episode, Koen Geurts, a former aerospace engineer who worked on ESA's Rosetta/Philae mission and later managed satellite operations at Telespazio, discusses his transition to venture capital as Senior Investment Manager at Germany's Hightech Gründerfonds (HTGF). He shares behind‑the‑scenes stories from Philae’s dramatic landing, the challenges of long‑duration mission software, and his role in the Moonlight public‑private partnership, which gave him first‑hand exposure to NewSpace startups. Geurts explains how his deep technical background informs HTGF’s investment strategy, especially in early‑stage space companies, and highlights the fund’s recent activity, including being Germany’s most active early‑stage investor in Q4.