IAC 2024 in Milan: My Diaries as a Deep Tech VC Investor
Why VC investors should attend IAC, how to maximize impact from the conference, and the best side events for networking and fun.
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The post is sponsored by Beyond Earth Technologies, the first professional investment community on AngelList focused exclusively on space tech investments.
This year marked my first time attending the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), one of the largest and most significant space tech conferences worldwide. I'd like to share how I prepared, what strategies proved effective, what I’d do differently next year, and my perspective on attending these conferences as a Deep Tech VC investor of Beyond Earth Technologies and Aloniq.
The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) has a rich history spanning over 75 years. Established after the Cold War, the IAC was designed to bridge the gap between scientists and engineers from the East and West. Held annually in a different country, the first IAC took place in Paris. Each year, countries can apply to host the following year’s event. As an annual gathering of key players in space science, the IAC is organized by a national society member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), with support from the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
In 2024, the conference took place in Milan, and next year it will be held in Sydney. This year, it was rumoured that over 13,000 people attended, making it one of the largest conferences to date.
How to Prepare to Maximize the Outcome of the IAC Conference
Since this conference is organized by a non-profit, it operates a bit differently from a typical commercial conference. While the event featured excellent speakers and content, there were also areas with room for improvement. For attendees, navigating the event had its challenges—the app was difficult to access, the delegate list was absent, and the B2B networking app saw limited use, with only around 800 participants out of the 13,000 registrants. There was also no official or unofficial list of side events, so we had to discover those on our own.
If you're interested in presenting or joining a panel, you need to apply well in advance, submitting a detailed proposal or explaining specifically why your contribution is essential to that particular panel. I didn’t take that step this year, but it’s something I’ll consider for next year if I decide to attend again.
As a VC investor, my focus was on connecting with emerging Deep Tech and Space Tech startups, networking with fellow investors, and gaining insights into the major trends and market shifts shaping the industry. I also aimed to meet representatives from space agencies, large space corporations, and other industry partners that could be beneficial for our portfolio companies.
Our team compiled a list of must-attend sessions, along with others we were interested in, to gain a high-level understanding of the latest trends. These sessions also provided opportunities to connect with prominent speakers afterward and exchange business cards. With hundreds of sessions, many happening simultaneously, it’s essential to identify the ones you want to attend and strike the right balance between meetings and sessions.
We reviewed the list of booths and pavilions and marked those we wanted to visit. If you’re hoping to speak with senior representatives at these booths, it’s advisable to make a reservation in advance, as most are fully booked. To ensure you receive proper attention, being prepared is key.
We announced our attendance on LinkedIn in advance, which led to people reaching out to me via messages and emails, expressing their desire to connect while at the conference. This resulted in a positive influx of inquiries.
Alexandra Vidyuk (Beyond Earth Technologies), Emilia Garito (Deep Ocean Capital), Matteo Cascinari (Primo Space Ventures)
How to Organize a Side Event at IAC
As we prepared for the conference, Beyond Earth Technologies team aimed to host a side event to engage with the local ecosystem and connect with fellow investors and potential partners. However, choosing the right day for the event proved challenging, as not everyone was attending for the full five days, and we had 3-4 receptions scheduled each day. This made it difficult to determine which day would attract the most attendees.
We ultimately selected Wednesday for our event, timing it mid-week when many attendees were in town. Partnering with Starburst, we aimed to keep the gathering intimate by sharing a Luma link privately rather than promoting it on social media. We extended invitations to friends attending the conference, the Global Space Tech VC WhatsApp group, and our colleagues at Primo Ventures, one of Italy's largest Space Tech VC funds. Out of 150 applications, we approved 70 attendees. The event took place at one of Milan’s best rooftop bars, offering a breathtaking view of the Duomo and creating an unforgettable evening. Many attendees noted it was one of the week's top receptions.
The event was attended by many of the space tech VCs at the conference, as well as local angel investors and VC funds interested in deep tech and potential investments in space tech. We also welcomed individuals from the broader ecosystem, including those in investment banking and the Big Four, who have a keen interest in space technology. Additionally, the event featured a special appearance by celebrity Nicolina Elrick, the astronaut and Space Tech investor.
Other Notable Side Events at IAC
Beyond the intense days at the conference, each evening was packed with receptions, keeping us out until 1 a.m. — and sometimes as late as 5 a.m. Fortunately, we were in Milan, the city that never sleeps! I’ll highlight a few of the most memorable receptions we attended, which I highly recommend for future attendees. To make the most of these events, it’s wise to secure invitations in advance, schedule them on your calendar, and avoid missing out. Many booths also hosted “happy hours,” where you could chat with representatives over drinks and snacks, often with some swag included. Be sure to stop by their booths early on and ask if they can reserve a slot for you at their evening reception or happy hour.
As mentioned, our company, Beyond Earth Technologies, hosted a reception for investors. I’d also like to highlight the following events:
Yuri's Night – the iconic gathering traditionally held every year on April 12th – also takes place at various times throughout the year, such as during the IAC. This particular event was hosted at JustMe Nightclub and featured an exciting lineup, including celebrities, C-level executives, and a Space DJ. Space Ambition proudly participated as a media partner for the event.
Prada and Axiom's reception at the Prada Foundation was a memorable event where the new space suit was unveiled, and our team had the pleasure of attending.
Payload hosted a couple of fantastic evenings, one of which took place at the iconic Martini rooftop bar, offering a lively atmosphere with fans and a touch of Silicon Valley flair.
The Overview: European Space Investors Day—hosted by SpaceFounders and Cassini—took place at the impressive Centro Congressi Fondazione Cariplo. The Beyond Earth Technologies team attended, where we watched 28 remarkable European startups each deliver a 3-minute pitch. We’re now conducting due diligence on several of these startups.
India Space Reception - it was a fantastic evening to connect with India’s rapidly growing space industry and hear startup pitches, all hosted at the magnificent Westin Palace.
Karman Reception: Hosted by the Karman Foundation, this event featured an impressive Palazzo Visconti and excellent networking opportunities to meet key decision makers in the industry.
SETI Reception: It’s always fascinating to hear updates on the search for intelligence in the universe and to reflect on 40 years of dedicated efforts. It was also wonderful to see new members joining the team.
D-Orbit Party: dancing, panda soft toys, beauty boxes as a take away gifts.
Space 5K run - fun event for people who like to wake up early and run.
Looking forward to seeing you at next year’s IAC in Sydney!
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