The Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a symbol of space exploration since the Soviet era, recently found itself at the crossroads of innovation and decay following a significant mishap. As someone deeply engaged in fostering entrepreneurship and STEM education, I can’t help but reflect on how lessons from this situation can offer insights to female entrepreneurs in Europe striving to scale their businesses in challenging environments. Here's how this event ties into broader entrepreneurial strategies.
The Incident That Shook Baikonur: A Hard Reminder for Legacy Systems
On November 27, 2025, Russia's Soyuz rocket successfully launched astronauts to the ISS, but the event highlighted an ongoing issue, aging infrastructure at Baikonur. During preparations at Site 31, a critical service platform weighing over twenty tons collapsed into the flame trench, severely damaging the launchpad. This raises questions about dependency on outdated systems and what happens when backup solutions fail. Russia faces potential delays in its space program while scrambling for alternative arrangements.
Entrepreneurs can draw a parallel here: relying solely on legacy systems or methodologies without questioning their sustainability can hinder growth. Similarly, maintaining flexibility in service models, partnerships, or technologies ensures resilience in unpredictable times.
A Look at Non-Rocket Innovation: How Moonshot Space Rethinks Launch Systems
While Baikonur battles systemic challenges, innovators are thinking outside the box. Israel-based Moonshot Space recently announced the development of an electromagnetic launch system aimed at making rocket engines optional for specific missions. Supported by $12 million in funding, Moonshot Space exemplifies how challenging norms unlock new possibilities.
Female startup founders can take inspiration from this daring solution. Moonshot Space knows its audience, defense and aerospace companies, and leverages its niche expertise to offer unique value. For entrepreneurs, finding gaps in existing markets or upending traditions can differentiate you in crowded spaces.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs: What Space Launchers Teach About Resilience and Creativity
1. Build trust in new models but have contingency plans.
The Baikonur disaster reminds us that unforeseen events can derail even a tried-and-tested system. For startups, this means diversifying streams, whether it's funding sources, products, or operational models. Have that safety net.
2. Be bold like Moonshot Space: Push boundaries.
Think about electromagnetic propulsion versus conventional engines. It’s risky, but they’ve secured investor confidence and are building momentum. Female founders in Europe should learn to embrace calculated risks while communicating their vision clearly to investors or partners.
3. Don't ignore infrastructure.
Entrepreneurs glamorize innovation but often overlook the nuts and bolts of business operations. Baikonur's infrastructure failure cost Russia time and resources. Whether it’s timely accounting systems or the team culture you build, your foundation should reinforce your growth dreams.
Mistakes Female Founders Often Make When Scaling Businesses in Europe
As someone who’s bootstrapped my startups and mentored others, I’ve seen missteps that echo challenges like the ones faced at Baikonur.
- Skipping the scalability test: Don't rely on what worked initially. If your systems don't grow with you, the cracks will show at critical moments.
- Neglecting innovation: Even in traditional industries, the disruptive players, like those exploring alternative launch technologies, lead the pack.
- Overattachment to sunk costs: Sometimes, the old infrastructure has to go. It’s tough, but don’t let it slow you down.
A How-To Guide: When Faced with Adversity, Think Like a Pioneer
1. Audit Your Operations Regularly
Use tools like HubSpot’s operational efficiency checklist to identify weak links in your business model and infrastructure.
2. Collaborate Beyond Borders
Organizations like EU Startups offer networking events to connect with innovators who might assist in your projects. Look for those exploring new technologies, too.
3. Experiment With Edge Technologies
Just like Moonshot Space is betting on non-rocket propulsion, explore whether AI, IoT, or blockchain can boost your business. I co-developed an AI-based intellectual property tool to simplify patenting, look for similar ways to innovate.
Deep Insights: Do Launchers Really Need Rocket Engines?
The answer is nuanced, just as scaling a business isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Rocket engines have been central to space exploration for decades, symbolizing raw power and precision. However, alternatives like Moonshot Space's electromagnetic system are gaining traction, proving that radical changes are possible even in established fields.
Entrepreneurs face similar dilemmas. Should you stick to proven business models or rethink strategies entirely? The greatest innovations often come from balancing legacy methods with bold new ideas. As female founders, we must take calculated risks without losing sight of what stabilizes our ventures.
Conclusion: A Call to European Entrepreneurs to Dare Greatly
What the Baikonur blunder tells us isn't just about space exploration, it’s a lesson in resilience, creativity, and foresight. Whether it's a cosmodrome infrastructure failure or your startup hitting unforeseen challenges, the willingness to rethink systems while adopting new avenues ensures survival. Like Moonshot Space, challenge the fundamental question: "Do we really need engines, or something else entirely?"
Your business success requires courage to reimagine possibilities. As entrepreneurs in Europe breaking barriers, let's run with that.
FAQ
1. What happened at the Baikonur Cosmodrome recently?
On November 27, 2025, a critical service platform weighing 20 tons collapsed at Site 31, causing severe damage to the launchpad and potentially delaying Russia's space missions. Read about Baikonur’s challenges
2. Why is Moonshot Space considered innovative?
Moonshot Space is developing an electromagnetic launch system that eliminates the need for conventional rocket engines for certain missions, pushing technological boundaries in the space sector. Learn more about Moonshot Space
3. What parallels can entrepreneurs draw from Baikonur's infrastructure issues?
Entrepreneurs can learn the importance of questioning legacy systems, maintaining flexibility, and investing in infrastructure to avoid critical operational failures.
4. How did South Korea’s Nuri rocket perform during its latest launch?
South Korea's Nuri rocket successfully launched the CAS500-3 satellite along with 12 cubesats, further showcasing its growing capabilities in space exploration. Explore the Nuri rocket launch success
5. What is the focus of Moonshot Space's funding initiative?
Backed by $12 million, Moonshot Space aims to develop hypersonic test platforms and orbital launch alternatives using electromagnetic propulsion. Check out Moonshot Space’s innovation
6. How is the European Space Agency addressing launch challenges?
The ESA allocated €902 million to the Launcher Challenge initiative, funding emerging companies like Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg to bolster Europe’s launch capabilities. Read about ESA’s funding initiatives
7. What key lesson does the Baikonur incident teach female entrepreneurs?
Female founders should embrace calculated risks, focus on scalable infrastructures, and always have contingency plans to navigate unforeseen challenges.
8. Are rocket engines still central to space exploration?
While rocket engines remain vital, alternative propulsion systems like Moonshot Space's electromagnetic system show that innovative methods can redefine established norms. Explore the tech debate
9. What mistake do entrepreneurs commonly make regarding scalability?
Many over-rely on initial systems that may not grow with their business, similar to Baikonur's outdated infrastructure, leading to operational cracks during critical moments.
10. What can female entrepreneurs in tech learn from Moonshot Space's approach?
By targeting a niche market and leveraging specialized expertise, entrepreneurs can differentiate themselves, gain investor confidence, and challenge norms. Discover Moonshot Space’s strategic focus
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
