Dr. Gianluigi Baldesi is the Head of the Ventures and Financing Office at the European Space Agency, where he leads the ESA Investor Network to connect space companies with investors and financial institutions. He also supports companies in scaling up and attracting capital through initiatives like the ESA Marketplace. With over 20 years of experience in technology and strategic leadership for space missions, he has held key roles at ESA, including in the Technical and Space Transportation Directorate and the Strategy Department. He holds a PhD in Systems Engineering (Supaero/Sapienza) and an Executive MBA (Columbia/LBS).