Inside the Australian Startup Launching Hyperspectral Satellites

09/07/2025 1h 5min

Listen "Inside the Australian Startup Launching Hyperspectral Satellites"

Episode Synopsis

Winning hackathons at 16 and launching satellites by 26—meet the founder revolutionizing Australia's space tech.Join us as we chat with Shoaib Iqbal, the dynamic founder behind Esper Satellites, a groundbreaking Australian startup that leverages hyperspectral imaging technology to monitor Earth’s resources and environmental conditions from space. 🛰️ Shoaib’s entrepreneurial journey began as a teenager winning hackathons in Saudi Arabia, eventually propelling him to build a pioneering space tech company in Australia. 🌍Discover how Shoaib transitioned from simple DIY electronics to sophisticated hyperspectral sensors, the critical lessons learned from pivoting use-cases, and how his company is on track to deploy a constellation of satellites designed to significantly impact mining, agriculture, and global climate monitoring. 🌱 This episode offers deep insights into space entrepreneurship, innovation at the cutting edge of Earth observation, and the powerful role young innovators play in shaping the future of technology. 🛰️ Launching a Space Tech Startup🌍 Revolutionizing Earth Observation🔬 Hyperspectral Imaging Technology🚀 Lessons from DIY to Deep Tech🔥 Climate Monitoring Innovations🌱 AgTech and Environmental Solutions🪨 Transforming Mineral Exploration🎯 Achieving Product-Market Fit🤖 Future of AI in Earth Observation📡 Scaling Global Satellite Networks🤝 Connect with Shoaib Iqbal:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoaib-esper/Website (Esper Satellites): https://www.espersatellites.co🔗 Learn more about NZVC:Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nzMark Pavlyukovskyy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/Hendrik Remigereau – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/⏰ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Shoaib’s Background01:40 - Growing Up in Saudi Arabia03:39 - Early Entrepreneurial Experiences05:25 - Shoaib’s First Hackathon Win08:03 - Moving to Australia and Exploring Tech10:19 - Building Innovative Solutions from DIY Tech13:01 - Choosing Australia and Adjusting to a New Life16:55 - Developing the Idea Behind Esper Satellites20:12 - Understanding CubeSats23:03 - Transitioning from Gaming to Satellite Tech28:25 - The Genesis of Hyperspectral Imaging31:17 - Initial Customer Discovery and Early Traction36:49 - Challenges and Lessons in Building Tech for Space40:06 - Future Applications of Hyperspectral Imaging42:57 - Finding Initial Customers and Early Investors48:46 - Australia’s Advantage for Space Tech Startups50:31 - Esper’s Vision for Global Satellite Coverage52:19 - Regulations and Challenges in Space Tech54:02 - The Process of Launching a Satellite55:28 - Use Cases in Mining, Agriculture, and Defense58:49 - Shoaib’s Advice for Young Entrepreneurs🙌 Enjoyed this episode?Hit the like button 👍, comment your key takeaway 💬, and subscribe 📲 for more visionary startup journeys!#️⃣ Hashtags:#startups, #business, #Australia, #SpaceTech, #HyperspectralImaging, #EsperSatellites, #Innovation, #Entrepreneurship, #EarthObservation, #ClimateMonitoring, #SatelliteTechnology, #AgTech, #DeepTech, #TechPodcast, #StartupStories, #FutureTech, #SpaceExploration, #YoungInnovators, #TechInnovation, #Aerospace