Forty minutes north of Lisbon, in the picturesque coastal town of Ericeira, Portugal, Limestone Capital in collaboration with Alpine Space Ventures hosted the second edition of its annual event, the On the Edge Summit at Aethos Ericeira. The intimate gathering is envisioned as a place to bring together entrepreneurs, scientists, visionaries and investors that are operating at the edge of their field - meeting on the edge of the European continent on top of a breathtaking 40 meter cliff. With this edition, the summit brought together luminaries from the fields of Space Tech, Deep tech, Bio tech and Longevity and Travel & Leisure.
In addition to thought-provoking discussions and networking, the fully booked three-day invitation-only gathering provided our attendees with a range of exceptional experiences, including surf classes, wine tastings, e-bike rides along the cliffside, yoga classes and luxury spa time. There was something for every individual guest at the Summit.
Attendees kicked off their experience with an aperitivo followed by a warm welcome from the hosts, Benjamin Habbel and Jeff Coe, Co-founders of Limestone Capital, alongside Joram Voelklein, Founding Partner of Alpine Space Ventures.
At the heart of the "On the Edge Summit," a captivating series of panel discussions unfolded, each session a beacon illuminating the summit's exploration of the frontiers of knowledge, innovation, and investment.
Karan Kunjur, CEO & Co-Founder of K2 Space, kicked off the discourse with a visionary exploration of "The Future of Satellites," shedding light on their transformative potential. Positioned against the market trend, Karan shared K2 Space plans to revolutionize satellite design, diverging from smaller, compact models. The company aims to leverage the cost advantages of next-gen launch vehicles, such as SpaceX’s Starship. K2 is developing two satellite buses, Mega and Giga, offering unprecedented power levels. The stackable, scalable design enables customers to operate cost-effective high-powered constellations, potentially opening access to higher energy orbits.
Limestone Capital Co-Founders, Benjamin Habbel and Jeff Coe, engaged in a robust dialogue about real estate investments amidst a paradigm shift in the industry. They provided insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving market dynamics, covering topics such as the pandemic, high inflation, higher interest rates, and the boom in the luxury hospitality sector as a viable investment strategy. The discussion also included the benefits of being a vertically integrated value-add investor during the current cycle of the commercial real estate sector.
Joram Voelklein, Founding Partner of Alpine Space Ventures, Europe’s leading New Space Venture Capital fund, led by some of SpaceX’s most renowned former executives, introduced us to the burgeoning space industry and some of the most exciting investment opportunities in satellite connectivity and Earth observation. Joram took center stage in this session, offering a deep dive into the ventures and opportunities within the Alpine Space ecosystem. The conversation explored the intersection of technology, space, and investment.
Joana Andrade, a remarkable figure in the world of professional surfing, brought a unique perspective to the "On the Edge Summit." Known for her fearless approach to the waves and dedication to pushing the boundaries of her sport, Andrade shared valuable insights into the life of a professional surfer and delved into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the dynamic and often unpredictable world of surfing. Through her compelling narrative, Andrade not only highlighted the physical demands of the sport but also emphasized the mental resilience required to overcome fears and consistently pursue excellence in the ever-changing realm of professional surfing.
David Kownator, CFO of Isar Aerospace, joined Joram Voelklein to discuss a groundbreaking initiative, a privately funded European rocket launcher solution meeting the quickly rising demand for small and medium-sized satellite transport into space. Emphasizing their full vertical integration, the founder-led company showcased proprietary systems in propulsion, avionics, software, and structures. The Spectrum rocket, a focal point of the presentation, features a novel propellant set designed to substantially cut emissions. With streamlined manufacturing and design, Isar Aerospace aims to dramatically reduce rocket launch costs, positioning itself as a key player in Europe's advancing space exploration.
Maxime Friess, CEO & Co-Founder of Emerald Stay, shared profound insights into the challenges and innovations driving luxury hospitality scaling. Addressing the booming market of high-end holiday homes, Maxime highlighted the friction for owners dealing with Airbnb, maintenance, and customer management. Emerald Stay provides an effective solution, transforming properties into yield assets with minimal hassle. Their asset-light model, featuring revenue sharing, exclusive contracts, and strategic acquisitions, has resulted in significant growth. Positioned uniquely in the European market with no direct competitors, Emerald Stay has achieved a remarkable €20 million revenue run rate, experiencing a 20x increase since pre-COVID levels and is currently further scaling the business via an M&A strategy.
The last decade has seen an explosion in our understanding of how critical molecular processes deteriorate with age. Juliette Han, CFO & COO of Cambrian BioPharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that partners with world-leading scientists who have made breakthroughs in aging research to create new therapeutics that are developed in-house. Juliette discussed Cambrian's pipeline, including a pan-AMPK activator in phase 1b trials, a safe mTOR inhibitor for chronic use, and a novel approach to lengthen cellular telomeres without cancer risk. Emphasizing a shift from disease care to prevention, she highlighted the importance of advancing preventative medicines for a better quality of life.
Pierre-Antoine Mudry of Rejuveron Life Science explored the "Seven (+1) Keys to Longevity", addressing the urgent need for solutions as the aging population increases, highlighting the escalating burden of age-related diseases. Pierre-Antoine detailed the "Twelve Hallmarks of Aging," explaining their impact and the role of chronic diseases. Additionally, the session provided practical insights for individuals to age well, dispelling myths about genetic determinants. The talk concluded by emphasizing the economic and societal costs of age-related diseases and the promising future of longevity drugs.
Ricardo Rodrigues, Portugal's #1 Master Sommelier, guided attendees through a sensory journey, exploring Portugal's rich wine heritage. The wine tasting session showcased the importance of experiential travel in luxury hospitality through the lens of a master sommelier.
These panel discussions added a layer of depth to the Summit, providing attendees with diverse perspectives and actionable insights that resonated across various industries and sectors.
The surfing class with Joana Andrade and her awesome Team at Ericeira was an unforgettable experience! They taught us the ins and outs of surfing while we had a blast riding the epic waves and taking in the breathtaking & picturesque coastline. It was the perfect ending to the On the Edge Summit, leaving us with incredible memories and a real sense of achievement.
Closing Thoughts: A Summit Beyond Expectations
The second Edition of the "On the Edge Summit" at Aethos Ericeira went beyond being a gathering; it was a convergence of ideas, innovation, and the exploration of frontiers in investment. Against the backdrop of coastal elegance, attendees engaged in discussions that resonated with the spirit of the location – dynamic, inspiring, and forward-looking.
As the sun set over the Atlantic, the summit's impact lingered, echoing the commitment of Aethos Ericeira to be a space where boundaries are pushed, connections are forged, and the future is envisioned. The second annual summit was not just an event; it was an experience etched into the coastal tapestry of Aethos, ready to inspire future gatherings and explorations.
