René Giese’s Post

🎉 Big Pi Point of View Series: #6 Our latest blog explores the views of Michael Petychakis, CTO of Orfium, on the Greek startup and tech ecosystem. Greece offers numerous advantages for international companies, making it an ideal hub for tech firms worldwide. The country’s embrace of AI development, along with the return of Greek professionals and support from the diaspora, is enhancing the local tech landscape. Michael discusses how Orfium, a global technology company with a strong presence in Greece, exemplifies this growth and highlights the company’s contributions to AI development and innovation in Greece. We’d love to hear your suggestions for future topics. Drop them in the comments below!👇 #BigPiVentures #PointOfView #BigPiBlog

#DeepTech, a field characterized by groundbreaking scientific and engineering advancements, is experiencing a significant boom in Europe. This sector focuses on applying novel scientific discoveries or engineering breakthroughs to create new products for the first time. In 2022, European Deep Tech startups raised $17.7 billion (https://lnkd.in/d5Xrk8MS), marking a 22% decline from 2021 but still a substantial 60% increase compared to 2020. Deep Tech remained the second-best performing segment in the latter half of 2022, trailing only the energy sector. Limited partners (LPs) in Europe regard Deep Tech as the second most promising segment in venture capital. Deep Tech is inherently dynamic, with some segments reaching scaling and mainstream phases while new areas continue to emerge, pushing the boundaries of innovation. Four core emerging segments—Novel AI Systems, Future of Computing, Novel Energy Solutions, and Space Tech—raised a record $4.4 billion in 2022, double the amount in 2020. Vsquared Ventures a Munich-based firm, exemplifies this momentum. The firm recently closed its second fund (https://lnkd.in/dbN_x7rR), a €214 million vehicle aimed at early-stage Deep Tech startups. Vsquared plans to invest between €500,000 and €5 million in around 25 companies, with two-thirds of the fund reserved for follow-on investments. Founding partner Thomas Oehl noted that the fund surpassed its initial target of €165 million due to the growing appreciation and understanding of Deep Tech's importance in Europe. Europe’s Deep Tech ecosystem benefits from its robust universities, high-quality scientific research, and a pool of talented graduates. There is a noticeable shift towards commercializing these academic strengths within Europe, fostering newfound confidence in building substantial global companies from the continent. Beyond well-known hubs like Munich, London, Paris, and Stockholm, emerging centers of innovation are gaining attention. Vilnius and the broader Baltic region, along with Copenhagen, are cited as "super exciting hubs." The Baltics excel in cybersecurity and tech bio, while Copenhagen is noted for its advancements in quantum computing and biomanufacturing. However, some challenges need addressing to fully harness Europe's potential in Deep Tech. These include ensuring adequate funding, fostering a supportive regulatory environment, and facilitating the translation of scientific research into commercially viable products. In summary, the Deep Tech boom in Europe is fueled by substantial investments, a robust academic foundation, and emerging innovation hubs. --------- Follow for more

Germany’s deep tech potential is undeniable—but is the country losing ground globally? A recent article by Handelsblatt's Thomas Jahn and Nadine Schimroszik addresses this critical question. While German deep tech startups like Isar Aerospace and NEURA Robotics (both HV portfolio) are making significant strides, there are key measures—derived from expert insights—that could help catalize innovation in Germany. 1️⃣ Leverage Government Contracts: In the U.S., startups benefit from securing stable income sources early on through government contracts. This approach can provide German startups with the financial security they need to innovate and grow. HV’s Fabian Gruner emphasizes, “In the U.S., startups can secure stable sources of income early on, which gives them the financial security to continue to grow and develop.” By implementing these strategies, Germany can cultivate a thriving environment for deep tech innovation. 2️⃣ Increase Access to Funding: Enhancing the investment landscape for later-stage deep tech startups is essential for maintaining competitiveness in the market. 3️⃣ Foster Collaboration Between Government and Startups: Strengthening operational partnerships can empower startups to thrive and scale effectively. 4️⃣ Encourage European Investment: Attracting local funds is crucial for retaining talent and technology within Germany. For more insights from Fabian and to explore the full article, check the link in the comments below. 👇

It’s been a challenging year for many businesses, but we’re finishing 2024 on a high with a day of events dedicated to opportunities in emerging tech—a sector that holds real potential to get the economy back on its feet. Tomorrow, we kick off the day with a roundtable for emerging tech startups, delivered in partnership with the Startup Coalition and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. There are still a couple of spaces left, so if you’re a founder looking to shape the conversation about the barriers and opportunities in this space give me a shout. In the afternoon, we are hosting our Emerging Tech Conference—now sold out—which will bring together thought leaders, innovators, and businesses to explore how Manchester and the UK can lead in emerging tech. Huge thanks to our sponsors Amazon, IBM, nLighten, and Bruntwood SciTech—for supporting this important event. Ahead of the conference, I shared my thoughts on how Manchester can position itself as a leader in emerging tech growth—have a read here: https://lnkd.in/d25AkWny Emerging tech presents a real opportunity for regions like ours to lead on innovation and help strengthen the economy. Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into 2025. More details about the conference here: https://lnkd.in/dN8Bs7zg

Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) is finally here. It will be 3 days of exploring the global innovation ecosystem through connecting with startups, corporates and investors. SWITCH this year has emphasised the importance of innovation in #DeepTech, highlighting a 2-part special on Deep Tech produced by Channel News Asia (linked video). One of two featured startups is Moon Technologies, where JianMing Tan and team are developing Augmented Reality (AR) smart glasses can make the lifesaving difference in emergency response and trauma surgery situations. We are especially proud to be an early supporter of their journey, and to serve as a guide in this past year as they transformed their technology from concept, to pilot and now into the hands (or onto the faces) of their first customers. Elev8.vc has been investing in Deep Tech since 2018, supporting early stage Deep Tech founders from their Seed up to Series A rounds. At times, we have invested even earlier, when we identify pivotal technologies in its infancy like that of Moon Tech’s where there is a large unmet need and a faster time to market can change lives. For teams at such an early stage of translation, an additional voice can bring the necessary knowledge, experience, and access to accelerate the time to market. Today, we are launching Elev8 Ignite, and announcing our newest team member, Jia Hong Shaw, joining us as the Head of Ignite. Elev8 Ignite is our commitment to investing in deep tech founders in their earliest days, to pave their path from lab to pilot. Partnering with local research institutions and universities, we are here to make Day 0 investments in deep tech innovation. Here’s to many more Moon Technologies. Stay tuned for more on Ignite.

#Deeptech is innovation that emerges from research labs, usually at the hands of scientists and doctoral students. SGInnovate describes it as a “PhD holders’ startup club”. Unlike general tech, deep tech requires more time and cost to commercialize but offers transformative potential, especially in the #sustainability and #healthcare sectors. #Singapore's strong scientific research base supports deep tech startups, particularly in #green and healthcare tech. Advanced materials, #quantum tech, and #robotics are also emerging areas for #investment. Substantial government funding has been dedicated to the national Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) plan. A key priority is to work alongisde venture builders, who offer business model expertise and strategic networking opportunities. EnterpriseSG - Southeast Asia is collaborating with venture builders like Singapore Deep-Tech Alliance (SDTA) to support startups through a capacity-building programme including #mentorship, corporate partnerships, and funding. Article by Si Ying T. for GovInsider. Read more at the link below. Follow Origin Capital Singapore now for more curated insights! Emily Liew Luuk Eliens https://lnkd.in/gwTbF8gi

On September 25 to 27, the South Summit Korea co-organized by Madrid-based IE University, in collaboration with Gyeonggi province and GBSA (Gyenggido Business & Science Accelerator) brought together more than 80 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep tech experts, about a third of which represent startups and scaleups related to these technologies, such as Paddle, LottieFiles, k-ID, Asteroid Technologies, DeepX, Rebellions.AI and TIER IV, among others. South Summit is a global showcase for the world's leading companies, startups, investors and institutions that want to accelerate innovation, build lasting relationships, identify opportunities and generate business. "With this new event in Korea, we want to show the world the latest trends in these technologies that are set to change our lives and jobs, but we also aim to connect with the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems of Asia and Europe," said María Benjumea, president and founder of the South Summit. https://lnkd.in/gSZEngeh https://www.southsummit.io EU Digital & Tech DIGITALEUROPE KOREA-EU Research Centre EU Delegation to the Republic of Korea Inspiring Futures AI4Gov_EU InTouchAI.eu - International outreach for a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence European External Action Service

Dear Founder, are you - ✅ Developing Deep Tech, ✅ pre-revenue, ✅ going to or just spinning out? 🔥Elev8 Ignite is Elev8’s pre-seed investment function that helps Singapore based Deep Tech innovators take their first steps out of the labs and on the path to their first commercial milestones. We invest in you from Day 0, taking the time to understand your unique needs and goals 🎯 We're selective about the startups we choose to invest in, only progressing about 1% of our pipeline to the funding stage💰. This allows us to provide tailored support and guidance, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Our experience in Deep Tech, dating back to 2018, has taught us the importance of patience and grit in bringing innovative ideas to life. We work closely with founders to identify commercial milestones and develop personalized plans to achieve them. 🚀Whether it's securing a first customer or scaling beyond the lab, we're committed to helping you succeed. Our access to various industries and continents opens doors to new opportunities, and we're dedicated to helping you navigate the journey from lab to pilot. Keen to learn more? Reach out to us here: https://lnkd.in/gNbpjt2H

The State of Deep Tech in India: Spacetech 🌌 What is Deep Tech? In simple terms, Deep Tech refers to the convergence of science and advanced engineering, crafting tech solutions designed to tackle real-world challenges across industries 🚀 India's Deep Tech Propulsion: Home to 3,000+ deep tech firms, India shines on the global stage, fueled by government policies and a rich pool of engineering talent 💡 Key Government Initiatives: - A visionary $12B corpus offering a 50-year interest-free loan period, explicitly crafted to ignite innovation and scalability within deep tech ventures - The National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) to help startups overcome challenges relating to funding, access to the right talent, and scaling R&D operations 💼 Deep Tech Investment Trends: - The year 2023 witnessed deep tech startups magnetizing $496M, a testament to investor faith in India's tech potential - From 2021 to 2023, the deep tech sphere has been enriched with over $2B funneled across 343+ deals, mirroring the sector's escalating allure Spacetech, a subset of DeepTech, though not fully commercialized, is gaining rapid traction in India. Multiple milestones over the recent years have drawn attention to SpaceTech in India: - Skyroot's Historic Launch (2022): First Indian private company to launch a rocket - GST Exemption Policy (July 2023): Eliminating GST for private satellite launches to incentivize innovation and reduce operational costs for space startups - Chandrayaan-3 (August 2023): Setting a landmark by being the first to explore the moon's south pole - FDI Incentives (February 2024): Encourages up to 100% foreign investment, attracting global capital There are currently 150+ SpaceTech startups in India. But, where does the Market Opportunity lie? SpaceTech can be categorized into 2 buckets: 🛰️ Upstream: Satellite manufacturing, Launch services, and Ground station infrastructure 🌍 Downstream: Communication Satellites, Earth Observation/Remote Sensing, Positioning, and Navigation Downstream market has huge commercial potential and currently holds 2/3rd of the Market share in India valued at $13B vs Upstream at $7B. This is expected to cumulatively grow to $77B by 2030 with the same share skew. 🔭Rising Investor Interest: - Global Spacetech market is expected to surpass $750B by 2030 - Despite a slight dip, the sector’s resilience is evident with over $125M raised in 2023 - India’s space economy is envisioned to reach $100B by 2040 What's next? India's blend of policy support and talent is carving out a leadership role in Deep Tech. Spacetech investments require a forward-looking approach and more patience. It's hard to secure early investments—currently, Spacetech gets 1.5% of all venture capital in India. Beyond early stages of R&D and IP, the opportunities for multifold returns, commercial success, and a strong global impact are immense🚀 #venturecapital #tech #innovation #vc #startup #buildinindia #deeptech Img: Inc42 Media

𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 are at the forefront of innovation, leveraging scientific or engineering advancements to develop groundbreaking solutions. As outlined in the 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 (NDTSP)2023, - A deep tech startup harness new knowledge in scientific or engineering domains to create pioneering solutions. - These startups typically involve early-stage technologies that have not yet been developed for commercial applications. - They prioritize creating and owning intellectual property, which is a cornerstone of their value proposition. - They navigate significant technical or scientific uncertainties, requiring innovative approaches to problem-solving. - Due to the complexity of their endeavors, DeepTech startups typically require longer development timelines and substantial investment. The 'depth' of a DeepTech startup is influenced by factors such as the maturity level of emerging technologies, their applicability across different sectors, and geographical boundaries. In regions with robust investments in research and development (R&D), these startups tend to pursue deeper innovations. By supporting DeepTech Startups with focused policies and programmes, we are not only encouraging innovation but also building the groundwork for a time when technological breakthroughs will transform entire industries, propel social progress, and enable us to take on the difficult problems of the future head-on. Read the NDTSP 2023 here : https://lnkd.in/dy2mdkUx #DeepTechStartups #RINK #KSUM