Michal BRICHTA

IAF Bureau • VP: Global Membership Development and Financial Matters
Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic • Head of Innovation Department

Michal Brichta is a mission-driven executive with a track record in building innovation ecosystems, developing and implementing strategies, fostering international cooperation, and engaging in public outreach. Starting February 2026, he works as the Director of the Innovation Department at the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.

Previously, he served as the Director of the Slovak Space Office - Industry Branch operating within the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency. Since 2019, he has been responsible for launching and leading the comprehensive development of the national space ecosystem, increasing the Slovak space industry capabilities by 200% and significantly boosting its international presence. The work of his team consisted of a wide variety of innovation-ecosystem-building activities - helping existing tech companies enter the space sector, fostering new startups, enabling technology transfer, engaging private investors, forming new clusters, fostering international business collaborations, as well as building talent and raising awareness about the space sector and its importance for the economy, society, and environment.

Along with his main role, he serves as the Slovak Delegate to the Council of the European Space Agency and a Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation, advocating for democratisation of space and fostering closer cooperation between the space sector and the broader ecosystem of relevant stakeholders, including a wider range of technology companies, financial institutions, or major users of satellite data and signal. Over the past years, he has also been pioneering new initiatives aimed at unlocking the untapped potential of European space by fostering more efficient integration between its well-established industry and emerging space ecosystems.

Events

International Astronautical Congress 2025

29 September - 3 October 2025

Sydney, Australia

Participation:

IAF SYMPOSIUM 2025

11 February 2025

Vienna, Austria

Participation:

IAF Spring Meetings 2024

26-28 March 2024

Paris, France

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2023

2-6 October 2023

Baku, Azerbaijan

Participation:

International Astronautical Congress 2022

18-22 September 2022

Paris, France

Participation:

The Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries 2022

16-20 May 2022

Quito, Ecuador

Participation:

Participation