Von der Leyen said Iceye, which builds small satellites for Earth observation, showed that Europe was "the home of innovation."
Iceye co-founder Rafał Modrzewski, a Pole, and his Finnish business partner Pekka Laurila were in Strasbourg for the address, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
"Iceye was set up by two young Europeans: Rafał from Poland and Pekka from Finland," von der Leyen said. "They initially met through Erasmus some 15 years ago. Together they founded a tech start-up. They developed their idea around satellite imagery. They got Horizon funding. They proved their technology. They grew with private investment. And today they are one of the world's leading space technology companies, with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain and Greece."
"Iceye's story shows that Europe is the home of innovation, and that we can reignite Europe's entrepreneurial spirit," she added.
"I am delighted that the founders are with us today," von der Leyen told lawmakers. "Please join me in welcoming Rafał and Pekka. You are a true European success story."
Modrzewski later told reporters that the company's satellites were used to provide security for its customers and partners in the region.
The satellites weigh about 250 kg and can capture images of areas both within the European Union and elsewhere in the world, regardless of weather conditions or the time of day, Modrzewski said.
"We deliver such an image to the user within 10 minutes of capturing it," he said, adding that the company's satellite constellation already provides coverage of the entire planet.
Iceye has launched 84 satellites to date.
Modrzewski said the two main uses of satellite systems today are military security and early warning of natural disasters.
"We know what is happening, we can see what is happening and we are able to respond accordingly," he said.
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Source: IAR, polskieradio24.pl, ec.europa.eu