Directory

Engineering startup ecosystem

We track 18 organisations in this sector across 6+ countries.

18 entries.

Aerospace Tech Week

Munich, Germany · Event Organisator

Organizer of Aerospace Tech Week Europe, a specialized B2B conference and exhibition covering aerospace connectivity, avionics, and operations technology. Held annually in Munich since 2017, the event draws hundreds of aerospace engineers, OEMs, and suppliers to discuss next-generation aircraft systems and digital transformation in aviation.

AINOT Business Angels Network

Warsaw, Poland · Support Organization

A network of private investors associated with NOT (Federation of Engineering Associations), supporting early-stage high-growth companies. AINOT runs a structured support program from idea scouting and pre-incubation to equity investment (up to €200k) and follow-ons. How to apply: submit your idea via the online application form on the AINOT website (open intake). Notable focus: deep innovation and engineering-heavy startups, leveraging NOT’s technical expertise to vet and mentor projects.

Akcelerator Innowacji NOT

Warsaw, Poland · Accelerator

Established 2009 by the Polish Federation of Engineering Associations (NOT). Two-stage program for engineering and hardware startups: incubation with mentoring and business modeling, then seed funding up to EUR 200K. Support: expert consulting, seed capital, office space. Scope: National.

Dave Thomas

Copenhagen, Denmark · Person

Programmer and author, co-author of The Pragmatic Programmer and a signatory of the Agile Manifesto, a longstanding influence on software craftsmanship and developer practice. He is a confirmed speaker at GOTO Copenhagen 2026, reflecting on pragmatic programming in the age of AI.

Kent Beck

Copenhagen, Denmark · Person

Software engineer best known for creating Extreme Programming and Test-Driven Development and for his influence on agile software practices. He is a confirmed speaker at GOTO Copenhagen 2026, where he addresses software engineering, testing and developer productivity.

Kernel Capital

Cork, Ireland · Accelerator

Founded in 2002, Kernel Capital manages the Bank of Ireland Kernel Capital Venture Funds, one of Ireland's largest venture fund series with over EUR 350M under management. The firm invests EUR 0.5-5M at seed and early growth in ICT, engineering, medtech, and university spin-outs across all regions of Ireland. Notable portfolio companies include Metabolomic Diagnostics, Lincor Solutions, and Aylien (acquired by Quantexa). Kernel is co-funded by Enterprise Ireland and focuses on turning Irish research into scalable enterprises.

KleinVision

Nitra, Slovakia · Startup

KleinVision is the creator of the AirCar, a dual-mode vehicle that can drive on roads and transform into a certified aircraft. The AirCar has received a Certificate of Airworthiness and completed cross-country test flights, making it one of the few credible flying-car projects globally. By 2026, the company is working toward small-scale production and licensing partnerships, including interest from international markets such as China.

NovaUCD

Dublin, Ireland · Incubator

NovaUCD is the innovation and startup incubator of University College Dublin (UCD), one of Ireland’s premier research universities. Established in 2003 on UCD’s Belfield campus, NovaUCD provides a supportive environment for knowledge-intensive startups, particularly those arising from university research in life sciences, engineering, and ICT. The center offers modern incubation facilities, including lab space, prototype workshops, and offices set in a historic Georgian building refurbished for innovation. NovaUCD runs a 9-month VentureLaunch accelerator program to help researchers and students validate business ideas, build teams, and refine commercialization strategy. Startups benefit from UCD’s resources – access to faculty experts, graduate talent, and sometimes use of specialized equipment (for biotech, etc.). Over nearly two decades, NovaUCD has supported 450+ companies. Alumni include Evolution (Bio) – a UCD bioinformatics spin-out acquired by Evotec, Logentries (cloud logging, acquired by Rapid7 for $68M), and Equinome (equine genomics, acquired by Plusvital). These successes underscore NovaUCD’s strength in turning academic excellence into enterprise. A hallmark is its focus on knowledge transfer: NovaUCD works closely with UCD’s tech transfer office, so startups often license university patents or software as a basis. The incubator also facilitates seed funding through networks like Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) and University Bridge Fund (a college-focused VC). The Irish government and Enterprise Ireland are key backers, aligning NovaUCD with national goals to foster high-tech industry. The incubator has expanded physically too – in 2022, it opened “AgTech UCD” on UCD’s Lyons farm for agri-tech startups, reflecting an effort to specialize. NovaUCD contributes hugely to Dublin’s startup scene, connecting academic founders with industry mentors and investors. Each year it hosts the UCD VentureLaunch Competition awarding cash prizes to the most promising spin-outs. Notably, NovaUCD companies have raised over €760M in capital and created thousands of jobs in Ireland. By offering an “on-campus home” for entrepreneurs, NovaUCD helps ensure that Ireland’s top research doesn’t just stay on paper, but translates into impactful businesses – from lifesaving medical devices to groundbreaking software – driving innovation and economic growth.

PhysicsX

London, United Kingdom · Startup

PhysicsX applies machine learning and generative AI to advanced engineering simulation across aerospace, automotive, and energy systems. The platform accelerates design loops by reducing simulation time for fluid, thermal, and structural modeling, helping industrial teams move from concept to validation faster.

Talent Arena

Barcelona, Spain · Event Organisator

Organizer of Talent Arena, a developer-focused conference and talent platform held during MWC week in Barcelona. The event connects thousands of software engineers, tech recruiters, and startup CTOs through live coding challenges, career fairs, and technical talks, helping startups attract top engineering talent in Southern Europe.

Tech-Park Kaunas

Kaunas, Lithuania · Innovation Hub

Tech-Park Kaunas (rebranded from Kaunas Science and Technology Park in 2022) is Lithuania's largest science-business cooperation park, originating from the country's first business incubator established in 1998 and formally reorganised into a science park in 2006. Located at K. Petrausko g. 26 in Kaunas, it hosts over 100 companies working in IT, engineering, health technologies, social innovation, future energy, and sustainable chemistry. The park provides co-working space, a business incubator, soft-landing programmes for international companies, and access to KTU academic resources.

Turing Fest Vilnius 2026

Edinburgh, United Kingdom · Event

Product and engineering leadership conference held in Vilnius for the first time in 2026, with content on scaling engineering orgs, product-led growth, hiring, and technical architecture. 500+ product leaders and engineering managers. Tickets EUR 300-600. Previously Edinburgh-only; the Vilnius edition targets the fast-growing Baltic and CEE tech-leadership community.

WeAreDevelopers

Berlin, Germany · Event Organisator

Organizer of WeAreDevelopers World Congress, one of Europe's largest software engineering and developer conferences held annually in Berlin. Attracting over 15,000 developers, CTOs, and tech recruiters, the event features 500+ speakers, hands-on workshops, and a career expo connecting engineering talent with leading tech employers.