KickSky Space Lab: Keynote Session, 3

​“Building the Talent Pipeline: Workforce Challenges in Space Tech”

​In spacetech, breakthrough innovation demands exceptional talent — but attracting, developing, and retaining that talent in a fast-moving, competitive global landscape is one of the industry's toughest challenges. This keynote session brings together leaders who are not only hiring in deeptech but building future-ready teams from the ground up. Moderated by Lino Gandola, Founding Partner at Riceberg Ventures, the discussion will explore how space startups can shape talent strategies that truly support their mission.

​📅 Date: Tuesday, 20th May 2025
🕒 Time: 6:30- 7:30 (IST)
🖥️ Mode: Virtual
⏱️ Duration: 1 Hour

​Panelists:

​Ashtesh Kumar is the Co-Founder of Manastu Space, a pioneering space startup building green propulsion and satellite subsystems. Leading a team tackling some of the toughest engineering challenges in orbital systems, Ashtesh will share how Manastu approaches deeptech hiring, how to find talent aligned with long-term technical roadmaps, and how Indian space startups can attract global-caliber engineers.

​Marco Luccin is a Consultant at W Talent Switzerland, advising aerospace and tech firms across Europe on workforce planning, global mobility, and hard-to-fill technical roles. Marco brings a macro view of the talent market and will offer actionable insights on recruiting across borders, building inclusive teams, and retaining top performers in a volatile landscape. 

​This session is a KickSky exclusive and is only open to cohort participants.