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. 🤖Key Topics:🛰️ 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