From NASA competition to sustainable startup: the first steps to success

The journey of entrepreneurs Rene Daatselaar Baarslag and David Dijkstra took them from the Moon back to Earth. Their design for a NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) space vehicle turned out to be a technology perfectly suited for sustainable earthmoving operations. The Windesheim Centre for Entrepreneurship (WCfE) helped them expand their startup. Now, these young entrepreneurs are taking the next step with their company!

Rene studied Entrepreneurship & Retail Management at Windesheim, while David Dijkstra studied Aviation Technology at Inholland University of Applied Sciences. In 2024, they founded Earth Industry(opens in new tab), a company that designs, manufactures, and manages autonomous, electric earthmoving vehicles that operate CO₂-neutral. This marks a sustainable breakthrough in the construction and mining industries.

The Road to Success: Challenges and Setbacks

The technology behind their machines didn’t emerge overnight. In 2020, they participated in a NASA competition, designing a self-driving mining vehicle to excavate frozen water on the Moon. Out of 108 global teams, Rene and David made it to the final fifteen. "We ended up among the ‘Ferraris’—the absolute top," Rene proudly says. But that didn’t mean everything went smoothly. Financial setbacks made the challenge even greater. "During all those months of the competition, we received zero subsidies, while American teams did. We worked 60 to 80-hour weeks, entirely funded from our own savings. No parties, no festivals, annoyed girlfriends—but it was all worth it."

From Lunar Mining to Autonomous Electric Machines on Earth

They initially launched their company under the name Moon Industry. Their technology wasn’t just valuable for space exploration; it also had applications in the construction and mining sectors. "I was waiting at a bus stop on a rainy Thursday afternoon in December when I got a call from an American company," Rene recalls. "They said, ‘Your technology is exactly what we’re looking for. We have mining clients who want to work 100% green, with smaller, preferably robotic solutions.’"

This contact led to a concrete offer: if they could scale up production, an order of 200 machines per year awaited them. That’s how Earth Industry was born. David adds, "Everything just fell into place, and in 2024, we redesigned the entire machine for terrestrial applications."

Regional Partnerships in Zwolle

To scale their company, Earth Industry relocated to Harderwijk. "We wanted to establish ourselves in the Netherlands, and thanks to conversations with Cankut Ercan from Windesheim’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (WCfE), we made the right connections and received the necessary support," Rene explains.

In June 2024, with support from Oost NL, they gained access to valuable connections and funding opportunities. Additionally, they held numerous discussions with Kennispoort Regio Zwolle and Rabobank’s startup division. Rene adds, “ZWINC also played a big role. We had the opportunity to pitch in Hardenberg to a group of investors. Before this pitch, we went through multiple feedback rounds with ZWINC, WCfE, and Kennispoort to ensure we were well-prepared.”

The Journey of David and Rene

Over the next three years, Earth Industry aims for significant expansion. David explains, "Once we complete the first financing round, we want to hire a team of three people. After that, we aim to grow to 10 to 13 employees in total." Their collaboration partners keep them accountable and help them work toward their yearly goals.

Rene shares, "We are now developing the Earth-based division, gaining hands-on experience with the technology that will help reduce nitrogen emissions, lower CO₂ output, and address labor shortages for our clients. How cool is that?"

Currently, only their production space and office are operational at their new facility in Harderwijk. But their ambitions go beyond that. David adds, "Our goal is to have 17 to 20 employees working here. We want a sales department, a marketing team, and an after-sales service in this office. And from here, we’ll handle distribution to customers. That would make us incredibly proud."

Looking back, they are also grateful for the support they received. Rene reflects, "Windesheim remains a home base you can always return to, even after graduating. No matter where you are in the world, if you need help, WCfE is there for you."