23 juni 15:00-17:00Hite @Kaserngatan 1 Visby

How Can Space & Defence Add Value to the Future of Innovation?

As the world becomes more complex and technology develops faster than ever, Space and Defence are becoming powerful drivers of innovation across industries.

From AI and cybersecurity to autonomous systems and new technologies, innovations from the Space and Defence sectors are creating opportunities and shaping the future of commercial markets and new business opportunities globally.

Join us for a forward-looking discussion on how Space, Defence and dual-use technologies can strengthen competitiveness, resilience and innovation ecosystems in Sweden and internationally.

Agenda

15:00–16:00 | Panel Discussion & Q&A 
16:00–17:00 | Networking Mingle🥂

     Moderator

  • Melodi Askelöf – Business Coach, Hite / Science Park Gotland

    Panelists
  • Mizukoshi Hideaki – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Sweden
  • Dipjyoti Deb – Head of Impact Innovation and Impact Investing, Airbus (Remote panelist)
  • Kristina Öhman – ESA BIC Sweden
  • Fredrik Österholm – CEO, Science Park Gotland
  • Johan Vaernholt – Ideon Science Park
  • Sofie Marin – CEO & Founder, Arts Dynamics 
  • Patrik Hedelin – Partner & Co-Founder, eEquity
  • Monica Hedberg – Founder & CEO, Monica Hedberg Invest AB


Warm welcome!

All you need to know

🗓 When: Tuesday June 23 at 15.00-17:00 pm.
📍 Where: Science Park Gotland, Kaserngatan 1, Visby
🎯 Who: Space & Defence innovators + investors (angels, VCs, family offices)
🎨 Format: Panel, Q&A and Mingle
📝 Application deadline: 15 June 2026

Organised by Hite Incubator, a part of Science Park Gotland.

© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Speakers

Moderator - Melodi Askelöf
Business Coach, Hite Incubator & Science Park Gotland

Melodi Askelöf is a Business Coach at Hite Incubator and Science Park Gotland and Founder of Satocci. She works with startups, scaleups and investors to accelerate commercialization, fundraising and international growth. With 15+ years of leadership experience across fintech, blockchain, sustainable finance and telecommunications, she brings expertise in innovation, growth and business transformation. Melodi holds an Executive MBA from Stockholm University and a Master’s degree in Space Entrepreneurship from the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability in collaboration with Airbus.

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Mizukoshi Hideak
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Sweden

Hideaki Mizukoshi was appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Sweden in 2024. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1985 and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in the same year. Since then, he has worked in a range of fields and countries. He worked in embassies of Japan in France, Republic of Korea and the USA. Prior to his current position, he was the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka from 2021 to 2024.

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Dipjyoti Deb
Head of Impact Innovation and Impact Investing, Airbus

Dipjyoti Deb is Head of Impact Innovation and Impact Investing at Airbus, where he works at the intersection of innovation, sustainability and investment. He is passionate about scaling technologies and partnerships that create both commercial value and positive societal impact. With extensive experience in innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship and corporate transformation, Dipjyoti is a strong advocate for leveraging emerging technologies to address global challenges and drive sustainable growth.

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Kristina Öhman
Head of ESA BIC Sweden

Kristina Öhman leads ESA BIC Sweden, the national space incubator connected to the European Space Agency. Through a unique collaboration between four of Sweden’s leading incubators, spanning from Luleå in the north to Lund in the south ESA BIC Sweden supports startups developing space-related technologies, applications and high-growth ventures. Kristina works closely with entrepreneurs, industry, academia and public actors to strengthen Sweden’s position in the European space ecosystem, with a focus on innovation, commercialization and cross-sector collaboration. With extensive experience in innovation, intellectual property and business development, she is passionate about helping founders transform breakthrough technologies into scalable businesses with real-world impact.

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Fredrik Österholm
CEO, Science Park Gotland

Fredrik Österholm is CEO of Science Park Gotland, where he leads initiatives that support entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable growth. With a background spanning the Swedish Armed Forces, public sector leadership, deep-tech startups and the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, he brings extensive experience in technology, strategy and organizational development. Fredrik is passionate about building innovation ecosystems that connect entrepreneurs, industry, academia and society to create long-term impact and growth.

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Johan Vaernholt
Head of Strategy at Ideon Science Park

Johan Vaernholt is Head of Strategy at Ideon Science Park in Lund. He has extensive experience supporting startups and scaleups in tech, deep tech and innovation-driven sectors, helping founders navigate commercialization, growth and strategic partnerships. With a background as an officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, Johan combines leadership, structure and execution with a passion for building innovation ecosystems that connect entrepreneurs, industry and investors.

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Sofie Marin
Founder of Arts Dynamics

Sofie Marin is the Founder & CEO of Arts Dynamics, a creative tech and innovation platform that connects culture, technology and business. With more than 30 years of leadership experience across the cultural and creative industries, she is a strategist, speaker and ecosystem builder passionate about helping creators, entrepreneurs and organizations navigate digital transformation, innovation and sustainable growth. Her work brings together creativity, emerging technologies and entrepreneurship to build resilient and future-ready ecosystems.

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Patrik Hedelin
Partner & Co-Founder, eEquity

Patrik Hedelin is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of eEquity, a leading Nordic growth equity firm focused on digitally enabled businesses. Since founding eEquity in 2010, he has led more than 40 platform investments, including companies such as Chimi, aim'n, John Henric, Snigel, Prisjakt and Sävsjö. With over 30 years of experience working with digital growth companies, Patrik has extensive expertise in entrepreneurship, scaling businesses, digital transformation and value creation.

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Monica Hedberg
Founder & CEO, Monica Hedberg Invest AB


Monica Hedberg is Founder & CEO of Monica Hedberg Invest AB, investor, entrepreneur and VP of Rymdkapital. Formerly responsible for the Capital Region within ESA BIC Sweden, she has extensive experience supporting startups, investing in growth companies and building international innovation networks. Monica has founded and led several companies of her own and currently runs Asynjor Invest, an educational initiative that has helped hundreds of women become investors. She has served on boards across MedTech, SaaS and ICT and has been recognized for her contributions to entrepreneurship and investing, including being named Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Uppsala County in 2007 and Sweden’s Most Important Female Investor in 2023 by Dagens Industri and its readers.


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Organized by

Hite Incubator@hiteincubator