Introducing you Miika Kostamo, ESA Phi-Lab Finland's project manager

1. Could you please give us a short introduction about yourself?

Miika Kostamo, working as a project manager for European Space Agency innovation funding program ESA Phi-Lab Finland.

2. Can you tell us a bit about your professional background?

Before joining Aalto Startup Center I worked in various roles in the geospatial industry, including sales, business development and project management. I have also a Master’s degree in International Business Management and Land Surveying.

3. Can you explain a bit about your role at Aalto Startup Center?

My role in Aalto Startup Center is to manage the ESA Phi-Lab Finland program, which includes anything from making coffee to advising future applicants for the Phi-Lab program.

4. So, what brought you to Aalto Startup Center originally?

Reason for applying to Aalto Startup Center was the interesting possibility start a new space funding program in Finland. I also had very positive experience from previous encounters with Aalto Startup Center’s staff, so I partially knew, where I was applying.

5. After a few weeks of working here, do you enjoy the experience? Which part is your favorite so far?

So far, I have really enjoyed being part of the Aalto Startup Center. One of the best parts so far was the participation in the Demo Days, which allowed me to meet many of the startups in Aalto Startup Center's programs. Also getting to work with colleagues from many different backgrounds has given me a lot of new perspectives on how things can be done.

6. What have you been working on recently?

Currently we are preparing our first open call in Finland, which we plan to open before summer. This in practice means preparing the application documents as well as learning best practices from other ESA Phi-Labs around Europe. A few weeks ago I was for example following the tender evaluation process organized by our Phi-Lab colleagues in Spain.

7. What’s your preferred work style?

I like to work in dynamics working environments, so I don’t really have a preferred style of working. It all depends on, what kind of tasks I am doing. Legal document editing for example requires time to concentrate, but other activities like marketing our upcoming funding call might happen in very active events like the Demo Day in March.

8. Do you want to say something to our startups?

If you are up to anything space-related you should check our ESA programs as well. ESA BIC offers space-related funding for startups and ESA Phi-Lab offers funding for innovation commercialization that are connected to space and geospatial technologies.

9. Any plans or goals for 2025?

Main goal for this year is to get our first funding call open, get some projects funded and also to meet our targets for the year. Hopefully also enjoy some holidays as well at some point 😊

10. Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise us

Strangest place I have worked so far has been Nouakchott. Enjoyed it a lot.

• Learn more about ESA Phi-Lab Finland: esaphilab.fi
• Learn more about Aalto Startup Center: startupcenter.aalto.fi