The deep-techers
Driving Innovation Through Deep-Tech Exchange
18-20 November 2024 | Munich
A 3 day capsule programme for collaboration building around deep-tech initiatives.
Collaboration development & Training Programme for deep-tech Builders
shaping the future of deep-tech ecosystems
What is 'The Deep-techers'?
Intensive in-person professional training in Munich (18 - 20 November 2024)
Full access to the Global Outreach innovation community network
Why Apply?
Connect with your future deep-tech business partners, including heads of research institutes, leading universities, accelerators, VCs and more.
Acquire tools & knowledge in the most talked about field of 2025 to learn how to better support and accelerate startups in the fields of: AI, Energy, Robotics and more.
Tap into deep-tech funding opportunities and connect with potential partners for Horizon Europe consortia and additional collaborations, and gain access to EIT Global Outreach's exclusive "Booster Package".
Reach results and tangible collaboration by leading or joining a deep-tech initiative, creating impact through cross-border partnership.
what is deep-tech?
Rooted in the advances of cutting-edge science and technology, a new wave of innovation is underway: deep tech innovation. With the power to change our lives and accelerate the green and digital transition, deep-tech is key to tackling the most pressing global challenges such as climate change, sustainable energy and health.
The programme will focus on supporting organisations active in the following fields, but not limited to:
Timeline
- 22 July 2024
Application Opens
- 30 September 2024 (23:59, CET)
Application Closes
- 6 October 2024
SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
- 15 October 2024 10:00 CET
ONBOARDING WEBINAR (FOR ACCEPTED PARTICIPANTS)
- 18 - 20 November 2024
The Deep-techers programme
- March 2024
Follow up conference - the European "Playground"
Agenda highlights for 'the DEEP-TECHERS' PROGRAMME
*The full agenda will be revealed to selected participants
Diving Deep (Tech): European Deep-Tech Opportunities
Europe has what it takes to become a global hub for deep-tech excellence: strong fundamental research, well-educated talent (~1.5x the number of STEM graduates vs. the US) and significant public support. This session will explore the landscape of deep-tech in Europe, delving into key investment themes such as Novel AI, Future of Compute, Novel Energy, Space Tech, Robotics, Biotech/Foodtech/Agtech, Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. It will examine market dynamics, providing valuable insights into the innovations and opportunities shaping the future of deep-tech technology.
Navigating the European Maze: Funding and Collaboration Opportunities
This session will be led by Horizon Europe experts, who will identify and present relevant open calls and additional EU funding opportunities. Participants will receive tailored consulting support and matchmaking to help them build successful consortia that align with their interests. The experts will provide insights into deep-tech projects in areas such as AI and robotics, emerging enabling technologies, health, energy storage and supply, digital innovation, industry and space, cybersecurity, and advanced computing.
MNCs Shaping & Shaking Up Deep-Tech Innovations
Deep-tech technologies, with their advanced scientific and engineering innovations, are primarily utilised by MNCs to stay competitive. These corporations adopt deep-tech solutions to enhance efficiency, develop new products, and play a vital role in bringing startup innovations to market. In this session, German-based MNCs from industries such as mobility, insurance, telecom, manufacturing, and chemistry will share how they integrate deep-tech solutions at scale.
A New Venture Studio Model Bringing AI into Pharma | AION LABS
AION Labs is a first-of-its-kind venture studio comprised of global pharma, tech, and innovation leaders, focused on transformative drug discovery. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the AION Labs model of venture studios, where outstanding inventors, scientists, and technologists are tackling the most significant challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. AION Labs is backed by renowned partners, including Pfizer, TEVA, Merck, AstraZeneca, AWS and more, to harness their collective expertise and proprietary data, driving innovation in drug development.
Spin It to Win It: The Deep Tech Spin-Off Adventure | Technical University of Munich & The Technion University
This collaborative workshop will focus on transforming deep-tech innovations from academia into market-ready products. Participants will explore the process of spinning off deep-tech technologies, gaining insights into best practices for commercialisation and the challenges faced during the transition from research to real-world applications. This workshop will feature expert speakers from TUM and the Technion, case studies of successful spin-offs, and interactive sessions designed to address all aspects of executing a successful spin-off.
Accelerating Deep-Tech Ventures
This session will delve into the key components required to design and implement effective deep-tech acceleration programmes. Participants will learn how to tailor support mechanisms, from mentorship to funding, specifically for deep-tech ventures, ensuring they can overcome unique challenges and achieve market success.
Meet the Connect & Experience Team
Adi Barel
MAAYAN SHARON
Tal Caspi
featured organisations
- Experienced senior professionals at a management level from a European/Horizon Europe associated country
- Belongs to an organisation supporting startup growth, significantly impacting deep-tech ventures and contributing to the deep-tech ecosystem, with aspiration to boost the deep-tech ecosystem
- Deals with innovation or business creation
- Able to contribute knowledge, experience and network to the programme
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience from all sectors
For example – heads of: accelerators, VCs, innovation agencies, labs, incubators or other business creation activities from academia, educational institutes, RTO, corporates, government and TTOs.
The programme is not suited for individual startups or consultants.
Each application will be reviewed and ranked by the following criteria:
- Impact of your organisation and programme on the European innovation ecosystem (i.e. number of startups you meet weekly)
- Professional role and seniority level
- Motivation and added value to the programme
- Relevance of topic/idea/partnership the applicants will focus on during the programme
- The selection process will consider diversity of the ecosystem, including underrepresented groups
- An individual online interview might be scheduled as an additional evaluation criterion
- The selection will be competitive and based on excellence and the above-noted criteria
The final approval will be made by the EIT Global Outreach Working Group (with members representing 6 KICs: EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, EIT Food, and EIT Culture & Creativity).
finance
The full cost of the programme is €2000, however EIT Global Outreach can offer partial funding of the programme and/or travel & accommodation reimbursement based on the following categories:
Participant Category | Eligible KICs | Eligibility for Programme Funding | Eligibility for Travel and Accommodation Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|---|
KIC Partners | 6 KICs: EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, EIT Food and EIT Culture & Creativity | The programme cost is fully covered by EIT Global Outreach | Reimbursement up to €1,200 per participant |
KIC Staff | 6 KICs: EIT Health, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, EIT Food and EIT Culture & Creativity | The programme cost is fully covered by EIT Global Outreach | Financed by the KIC’s own resources |
Partner/Staff from other KICs
| EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Raw Materials and EIT Urban Mobility | 85% of the programme cost is covered by EIT Global Outreach; participants cost: €300 | Financed by participant’s own resources |
Ecosystem Manager (Non EIT) | Any individual professional can apply | 75% of the programme cost is covered by EIT Global Outreach; participants cost: €500 | Financed by participant’s own resources |
The EIT Global Outreach will consider awarding scholarships to participants from non-EIT affiliated organisations, making them eligible for up to 100% coverage of the programme costs by EIT Global Outreach and reimbursement for their travel & accommodation expenses. A scholarship may be awarded in the following cases:
- Professional from the deep–tech sector with high potential for synergies, collaborations, and joint activities between EIT Global Outreach and the programme participants.
- Each participant applying for a scholarship will be expected to lead a “contribution project” that supports the programme. This could involve activities such as a blog post following the programme, organising a follow-up event, or collecting participant testimonials. EIT Global Outreach also encourages participants to propose additional contribution projects that align with the programme’s goals. All proposals submitted through the programme application form will be evaluated by the selection committee. Only selected proposals will be eligible for a scholarship.
Programme outcomes
Organic EU-IL follow up activities, initiated by the participants themselves
Mindset shift and openness to new ideas
Joint hackathons, demo days and webinars
98% overall satisfaction rate
Active community engagement & network expansion
The 3-day programme will include workshops, onsite visits and events that will cover topics such as:
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Building a Deep Tech Powerhouse
- Navigate the European Maze: Funding and Collaboration Opportunities
- Accelerating Startups: The Deep-Tech Version
- Tangible Opportunities for Collaboration and Partnerships
- Deep-Tech Venture Building Models
- Vertical- Focused Round Tables: Health, quantum, AI, space, energy, food and more.
- Deep-Tech Partnership Models
Testimonials
Neil Walmsley
- Head of International Adaptation Programmes & International Markets, Climate-KIC
Dóra Marosvölgyi
- CEO of DARE Innovations
Adi Barel
- Director of EIT Global Outreach
Anca del Rio
- Expert Venture Adviser | Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship, EIT Health
Bram Pauwels
- Chief Strategy Officer, EBN - European Business & Innovation Centre Network
FAQ
Yes, in-person participation is required, as building physical collaborations is the core essence of the DeepTechers programme.
You will meet peers and tech leaders from Europe and Horizon Europe associated countries, top speakers and lecturers on a number of different topics, executives from global companies, and many more professionals that can be your future business partners to support the deep-tech innovation ecosystem.
Experienced European or Horizon Europe associated country senior professionals, at the management/decision making, in an organisation boosting start-up growth, significantly impacting the deep-tech ecosystem. For example, heads of: accelerators, VCs, innovation agencies, labs, incubators or other business creation activities from academia, industry, government and/or TTO’s.
Sessions will include an in-depth exploration of advanced strategies for scaling deep-tech initiatives, startups, and scale-ups, with a focus on distinctive models for venture building and leveraging academic research for commercialisation. Participants will also explore leading global deep-tech technologies, followed by workshops on venture building, and industry innovation insights, concluding with sessions on deep-tech partnership building.
The EIT deep-tech definition includes the following fields:
1. Advanced Computing / Quantum Computing
2. Advanced Manufacturing
3. Advanced Materials
4. Aerospace, Automotive and Remote Sensing
5. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, including Big Data
6. Biotechnology and Life Sciences
7. Communications and Networks, including 5G
8. Cybersecurity and Data Protection
9. Electronics and Photonics
10. Internet of Things, W3C, Semantic Web
11. Robotics
12. Semiconductors (Microchips)
13. Sustainable Energy and Clean Technologies
14. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Metaverse
15. Web 3.0, including Blockchain, Distributed Ledgers, NFTs
For a more detailed understanding of how deep-tech is defined for the EIT, please see Deep – Tech Definitions.
The programme cost is determined according to your financial category, and varies from participant to participant. Scholarships are available. Check out the Finance section for more information, and if you have any questions reach out to: [email protected].
The applicants will be ranked according to the criteria noted here and the final decision will be made by the Global Outreach steering committee. Applicants will receive responses by 6 October 2024.
If you wish to submit a query about the following the selection process, you can email Tal: [email protected] by 10 October 2024.
While having an idea or ongoing project can accelerate your engagement, you’ll also have the opportunity to join existing projects or create new ones.
As an outcome of the programme, you can expect to:
- Secure strategic partnerships with key players in the deep-tech ecosystem, enabling collaboration on future deep-tech support initiatives.
- Access potential funding through Horizon Europe and other targeted opportunities to fuel your projects.
- Better support the growth of deep-tech ventures in your ecosystem with the resources and connections gained from the programme.
- Acquire actionable insights and leverage cutting-edge tools and methodologies from leading organisations to enhance your support for deep-tech startups.
- Expand your network by connecting with top-tier innovation leaders, opening doors to future collaborations.
EIT Global Outreach will offer a “booster package” to support joint projects or collaborations emerging from The DeepTechers. Qualifying initiatives must involve at least two organisations who participated in the programme.
As programme alumni, you will join the Global Outreach community network, an active online and offline community offering access to opportunities, curated content, matchmaking, soft-landing services, and support.
Do you have any questions? Get in touch with us at
[email protected]
