Ljubljana, Slovenia · Accelerator ABC Accelerator was founded in 2015 and is the largest private startup accelerator in South Eastern Europe, based at BTC City in Ljubljana. It runs a three-month programme accepting up to 12 startups per cohort, offering a €25,000 convertible loan and an option for €100,000–€250,000 follow-on investment. To date it has accelerated over 130 startups from 30 countries and helped them raise approximately €30 million in funding. It has been recognised as the best accelerator programme by the Central European Startup Awards.
Eindhoven, Netherlands · Event An annual AI summit at the Evoluon in Eindhoven, organised by the Eindhoven AI Systems Institute with Brainport Development. Focused on applied and industrial AI — strong fit for hardware-aligned and deeptech founders in the Brainport ecosystem.
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.
Kyiv, Ukraine · Startup Overview: Ajax Systems is a leading security technology startup and is now the largest manufacturer of professional security systems in Europe. The company develops and produces a range of smart security devices for homes and businesses - including wireless motion detectors, door/window opening sensors, glass break sensors, fire alarms, flood detectors, and control panels - all connected via Ajax's proprietary radio communication technology. An Ajax security system typically centers around a smart hub and can integrate over 50 different sensors and sirens to provide comprehensive intrusion detection, fire safety, and even smart home automation. The devices are known for their sleek design (winning multiple Red Dot design awards) and reliable performance (long battery life, extended wireless range, resistant to jamming). Users manage the system through Ajax's mobile app, receiving instant alerts and being able to arm/disarm or monitor their property from anywhere. Unlike traditional wired security systems, Ajax's wireless approach allows easy installation and scalability. With its combination of hardware and software, Ajax Systems has effectively become a security platform protecting over 1 million premises in more than 120 countries. Founding Story (2011): Ajax Systems was founded in 2011 in Kyiv, Ukraine by Oleksandr (Alexander) Konotopskyi. Konotopskyi started Ajax in his mid-20s, with a vision to build a security system that was both high-quality and affordable, targeting a gap in the market between cheap unreliable alarms and overly expensive Western systems. In the early days, Ajax was literally a garage startup - the team of engineers hand-soldered the first devices themselves. They focused initially on creating a car alarm and simple motion detectors, but soon pivoted fully to smart home security. The name "Ajax" was chosen to signify agility and strength (after the Greek hero). The company struggled to find capital at first, as Ukraine in 2011 had limited VC presence. In 2015, Ajax got its first external investment of $1M from SMRK, a local fund run by MacPaw's CEO, which allowed scaling production. A major milestone was around 2016 when Ajax launched its second-generation system with the Jeweller radio technology and a polished mobile app - this got attention in European markets. By 2017, Ajax started exporting its devices beyond Ukraine, and a turning point came when it won a prestigious security industry award in the UK, helping build global credibility. The founding story is one of persistence: Konotopskyi has often recounted how many advised him that manufacturing electronics in Ukraine was impractical, but he proved it possible with a highly motivated local team. Product and Innovation: Ajax's product line today includes about 180 products covering intrusion detection (motion, opening, glass break sensors), fire safety (smoke and CO detectors, fire alarm), flood prevention (leak detectors), plus sirens, keypads, panic buttons, and relay modules to control third-party devices. The system connects via radio frequencies (868 MHz band in Europe, etc.) with range up to 2000 meters and has advanced encryption. One of Ajax's innovation points is its proprietary OS Malevich that runs the hubs, enabling over-the-air updates and new features. The Ajax mobile app provides a modern UX that was missing in older alarm systems. Another innovative aspect is battery life - sensors can work 5-7 years on one battery, addressing a pain point of wireless security. Ajax also built a technology called Wings for photo verification - some motion detectors have cameras that can send photos when triggered, so users and alarm companies see if an intruder is present. The target market for Ajax includes both residential customers and small businesses/shops, as well as larger commercial clients (they have a heavier-duty hub for enterprise). The systems are typically sold and installed via a network of 1,100+ authorized security providers/installers globally, rather than direct to consumer only. This channel strategy helped Ajax penetrate traditional security markets in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Traction and Scale: The growth of Ajax Systems has been remarkable, especially post-2015. As of late 2023, Ajax serves over 4 million end users worldwide who rely on its security systems. It has become the top alarm system brand in Europe by units sold - a feat for a Ukrainian company competing with legacy giants. The company's revenue reflects this: in 2023, Ajax's revenue was around UAH 7.5-8.5 billion (Ukrainian hryvnia), roughly $200+ million USD, showing rapid growth from just a few million USD a decade prior. It's been profitable and reinvesting in expansion, now running multiple manufacturing plants. Ajax exports to over 120 countries, with key markets including Italy, Spain, France, the UK, and also growth in the Middle East and Latin America. In Ukraine, Ajax became a market leader, protecting many homes even amid the war. The company's workforce grew to around 2,500 employees (by 2025) spread across R&D centers in Kyiv, hardware development in Kharkiv, and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and a new plant in Turkey (opened 2022) and recently in Vietnam (opened 2025 to diversify production). These expansions are partly in response to risk management due to regional instability, but also to meet surging global demand. Ajax's products have received numerous awards in the security industry and technology circles for innovation. Funding and Investors: Ajax's funding journey started with local investors. The initial $1M from SMRK in 2015 and early revenues got the company off the ground. A significant boost came in 2019 when Horizon Capital, a U.S.-Ukrainian private equity firm, invested $10 million for a minority stake. This effectively was Ajax's Series A, and it valued the company north of $70M reportedly. Horizon's investment provided growth capital to scale production and international sales. Interestingly, Ajax never took traditional Silicon Valley VC funding; by the time it was on VC radar, it was already profitable and scaling via PE style funding. EBRD also extended some debt financing to Ajax as it expanded manufacturing. Total external funding is relatively modest (about $11M equity and some debt), as the company's strong revenue allowed it to fuel growth internally. PitchBook data shows Ajax's valuation surpassed $100M by 2020, and given the revenue growth, some speculated it could approach unicorn status if valued on a typical tech multiple (though security hardware might have lower multiples). Achievements and Impact: Ajax Systems stands out as one of the most successful hardware startups from Eastern Europe. Achievements include becoming the number 1 security system brand in Europe within 10 years, something even the founder calls "building the Apple of security in Ukraine." The products have achieved a level of reliability that professional security companies trust - over 1,200 security companies (alarm response centers) around the world integrate with Ajax's system to provide monitoring services. Ajax's impact in Ukraine is also profound: it built local manufacturing when many said it was impossible, created thousands of jobs, and became one of Ukraine's top tech exporters. Even during the 2022 Russian invasion, Ajax kept its factories in Ukraine running (with precautions and relocating some lines to safer regions) and supported the war effort by developing an "Air Alarm" app for Ukrainians (in partnership with the government) to warn of missile attacks. This app uses Ajax's expertise in instant mass notification and became a widely used tool, saving lives. Ajax's success has been a beacon for Ukraine's tech industry, proving that a hardware company can scale globally from Ukraine. In recognition, founder Konotopskyi received national awards and is often cited among top Ukrainian entrepreneurs. The company's plans include possibly an IPO in the future once global expansion stabilizes. It continues to innovate - recent new products include automation devices (to control lights, thermostats, etc., moving Ajax towards smart home, not just security). By coupling security with convenience, Ajax is carving out a role in the broader IoT and smart home market. In summary, Ajax Systems transformed from a Kyiv startup into a global security powerhouse, all while keeping its R&D and much of its production in Ukraine, which is a testament to the talent and resilience of Ukrainian engineers and business leaders. Sources: inventure.com.ua, euristiq.com, techukraine.org, ajax.systems.
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.
Sofia, Bulgaria · Startup Allterco Robotics, better known through its flagship Shelly brand, is a Sofia-based smart-home hardware company that designs, manufactures, and sells Wi-Fi-connected relays, sensors, and smart-plug devices that have become one of the most popular prosumer home-automation product lines in Europe. Unlike cloud-locked consumer smart-home brands, Shelly devices are designed around local control, open protocols (MQTT, REST, Matter), and compatibility with open-source home-automation stacks like Home Assistant, which has earned the company a strong following among technical users and installers who do not want their lights and shutters depending on a third-party cloud. Allterco is publicly listed on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange and has expanded significantly into European and North American retail channels. It is one of the most interesting examples of European consumer hardware being built out of CEE and a useful counterpoint to the region's software-heavy tech narrative.
Warsaw, Poland · Angel Investor A serial entrepreneur and community builder, Andrzej founded the PROIDEA foundation which runs major tech conferences. He has been investing as an angel in Polish startups for years and was an early backer of Estimote (IoT beacons), Intelclinic (wearables), and JIVR (e-bikes). Andrzej’s broad network and experience organizing startup events make him a valued mentor-investor. Associated startups: Estimote, Intelclinic, JIVR, Znika (eco-packaging), among others.
Warsaw, Poland · Support Organization A deep-tech and hardware focused co-investment network founded in 2014 under the APER Ventures fund. APER Angels connects private angel investors with VC funds to pool capital for high-tech startups. They typically invest PLN 250k–5M in early-stage companies, and have backed over 24 startups with ~PLN 50M total. Notable focus: hardware, IoT, and deep-tech startups (often syndicating with APER Ventures).
Athens, Greece · Startup Augmenta is an Athens-founded agriculture technology company that developed a real-time, camera- and AI-based variable rate application (VRA) hardware platform for farming. Its multispectral camera system retrofits onto existing agricultural machinery such as tractors, sprayers and spreaders, processing field conditions on the fly to automatically apply the optimal amount of inputs. The aim is to increase yields and reduce unnecessary chemical and fertiliser usage. In March 2023 Augmenta was acquired by CNH Industrial for $110 million and integrated into CNH's precision-technology portfolio, while retaining operations in Greece and the US.
Eindhoven, Netherlands · Startup Axelera AI is a semiconductor and software company headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, founded in July 2021. It develops AI acceleration hardware and software for inference workloads, spanning edge devices and edge servers. Its flagship Metis AI Processing Unit and next-generation Europa AIPU are paired with the Voyager SDK for model deployment, built on the company's proprietary digital in-memory computing and RISC-V dataflow architecture. The company targets sectors including security, manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, positioning its products as high-performance, power-efficient alternatives to GPUs. In March 2025 it was awarded a EuroHPC grant of up to 61.6 million euro for the DARE project.
Baku, Azerbaijan · Event A large-scale international innovation trade show at Baku Expo Center, targeting 25,000+ visitors and 350+ exhibitors from 20+ countries. Useful for founders with a product to showcase and those seeking regional distribution or investment connections.
Riga, Latvia · Venture Capital Buildit is a Riga-based hardware and IoT accelerator-VC hybrid founded in 2014, operating as the first accelerator in the Baltics and Nordics focused on physical-device startups. It runs cohort programmes and provides pre-seed funding up to €250k for Latvia-incorporated startups, with seed follow-on up to €1.5M for Baltic and Nordic companies. The firm has made over 120 investments and manages the Buildit Latvia Pre-Seed Fund (2022 vintage). Portfolio companies span energy, health tech, smart living, and robotics, including Aerones.
Cambridge, United Kingdom · Startup Engineering company that designs and licenses precision miniature actuators using patented Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology for smartphone camera autofocus/OIS, AR/VR, wearables and medical devices; shipped in 75M+ devices.
London, United Kingdom · Person Co-founder and CEO of Nothing, the London consumer-electronics brand behind the Phone and Ear products. He previously co-founded OnePlus and is one of the most closely followed hardware founders in tech.
Munich, Germany · Startup DeepDrive is the Munich startup that convinced major automakers to rethink the electric motor itself. Its core innovation is a patented dual-rotor motor architecture. In a traditional motor, a single rotor spins inside a fixed stator. DeepDrive's design spins both the internal and external rotor simultaneously, delivering higher torque density and substantially better efficiency. The practical outcome is compelling: EVs can achieve roughly 20% more range with 50% less motor weight, while reducing bill-of-materials costs.
By 2026, DeepDrive has moved beyond impressive prototypes to industrialization. The company has reportedly secured series nominations with eight of the top ten global automakers for platform launches in 2028–2029. That level of OEM validation is rare at this stage and signals confidence in both the performance and manufacturability of the design. The company is now focused on building automated production lines in northern Munich to scale output for fleet testing and pre-series runs.
A particularly strategic application is the in-wheel motor. Because the dual-rotor unit is compact and lightweight, it can fit inside the wheel hub, freeing up interior volume and enabling fully flat skateboard platforms. That creates new possibilities for autonomous shuttles and urban delivery vehicles where maximizing passenger or cargo space is paramount. It also allows for advanced vehicle dynamics such as torque vectoring without complex drivetrain components, improving both safety and handling.
DeepDrive is a classic spin-out from the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem at TU Munich, with early validation support from the XPRENEURS incubator. Its investor base blends strategic automotive capital with deep-tech venture funding: Leitmotif led the Series B, BMW i Ventures provides rare early-stage OEM participation, Continental's corporate VC is a strategic partner for braking and chassis integration, and UVC Partners and Bayern Kapital anchor local support. In 2026, DeepDrive is one of Europe’s most promising hardware deep-tech bets: a motor breakthrough with clear OEM pull, manufacturability momentum, and the potential to reshape EV platform design.
Wallingford, United Kingdom · Startup Dexory is a UK-based warehouse intelligence company that combines autonomous mobile robots with AI software to give logistics operators real-time visibility into their inventory. Founded in 2015 as BotsAndUs, it rebranded to Dexory in November 2022 after pivoting toward warehouse inventory intelligence. Its purpose-built robots autonomously scan warehouses and feed data into the DexoryView cloud platform, which builds real-time digital twins of facilities for inventory tracking and operational optimisation. The company serves sectors including third-party logistics, retail, manufacturing, and air cargo, and is headquartered in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Lyngby, Denmark · Innovation Hub DTU Skylab is the innovation hub of the Technical University of Denmark, providing students and researchers with prototyping facilities, mentoring, and startup support. The space includes electronics labs, workshops, and maker facilities that help teams build hardware, robotics, and deep tech prototypes. Skylab runs courses, hackathons, and incubation programs that turn student projects into real ventures. It is one of the most important feeders of new engineering startups in Denmark.
Eindhoven, Netherlands · Event A week-long programme powered by the Dutch Society for Precision Engineering, spanning the System Engineering Conference, the Dutch International Precision Conference, and the Precision Fair. Relevant for hardware and deeptech founders in precision engineering and photonics.
Ljubljana, Slovenia · Startup Elaphe Propulsion Technologies was founded in 2006 by Andrej Detela and Gorazd Lampič and specialises in in-wheel electric motors for electric vehicles. The company's plug-and-play Elaphe M700 system places the drive motor directly inside the wheel hub, eliminating traditional axles and drivetrains to improve vehicle efficiency and design freedom. Elaphe received €7 million from the Slovenian government in 2021 and has supplied its technology to automotive partners globally, including Aptera. It is headquartered at Technology Park Ljubljana.
Kaunas, Lithuania · Startup Manufactures AC and DC electric vehicle charging stations plus cloud management and payment software for public, residential and fleet use, with deployments across 40+ countries and partners including DHL and Volvo.
Barcelona, Spain · Person Co-founder and CEO of Wallbox, the Barcelona EV-charging company that listed on the NYSE. A former Tesla charging engineer, he co-founded Wallbox in 2015 to build smart home and public charging hardware and software.
Paris, France · Person Co-founder and former CEO of Ledger, the crypto hardware-wallet maker he co-founded in 2014 and grew into a global security leader. A serial entrepreneur, he is also a well-known figure in French startup media.
Kraków, Poland · Startup Estimote is a Kraków-founded IoT company that pioneered the Bluetooth-beacon category for indoor proximity, micro-location, and workplace safety. Co-founded by Jakub Krzych and Łukasz Kostka, with early backing from Polish operator-angels including Andrzej Targosz and the Netguru founders (Schmidt, Filipowski), Estimote went on to raise from US investors and pivoted toward workplace and wearable safety devices used by major enterprises.
Lund, Sweden · Event Southern Sweden's biggest electronics-industry expo at Sparbanken Skåne Arena, targeting design and purchasing professionals across smart city, transport, and medtech. Relevant for hardware founders in the Öresund region.
Stockholm, Sweden · Startup Exeger is a Stockholm-based deep-tech company that manufactures Powerfoyle, a patented, silicon-free dye-sensitised solar-cell material that converts both indoor and outdoor light into electricity. Founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Giovanni Fili and scientist Dr Henrik Lindström — joint winners of the European Inventor Award in 2021 — the company spent a decade developing and patenting the technology before scaling commercial production at two factories in Kista, Stockholm.
Powerfoyle is integrated as a thin, flexible film directly into product surfaces, removing the need for charging cables or disposable batteries. Shipping products span headphones and earbuds (Urbanista, adidas), cycling helmets (POC), professional hearing protection (3M Peltor), digital shelf labels (VusionGroup), remote controls (Philips, Hama) and IoT sensors. Exeger has raised over €169M from backers including SoftBank, Swedish pension fund AMF, the European Investment Bank (€35M InvestEU loan) and Fortum, and in late 2025 secured a SEK 130M grant from the Swedish Energy Agency and was selected for the NATO DIANA defence accelerator.
Kiel, Germany · Coworking Space fablab.sh, located at Fraunhoferstraße 2–4 in Kiel's Wissenschaftspark district, is the city's first open-access high-tech fabrication workshop and functions as both a community makerspace and a hardware prototyping hub for startups and SMEs throughout Schleswig-Holstein. The facility is operated under the opencampus.sh umbrella and is closely connected with the MakerCube Re:Invent initiative, a partly EU-funded digital-fabrication programme designed to bring professional manufacturing tools to startups, craftspeople, and student teams. Equipment includes FDM, SLA, and SLS 3D printers, laser cutters, cutting plotters, five-axis CNC milling machines, and 3D scanners capable of capturing objects up to three metres in diameter. Open Lab Days run every Thursday from 11:00 to 19:00, providing walk-in access for members of the public and registered users alike. The MakerCube programme supplements the standing facility with expert consulting, mentoring, and structured workshops. The space targets hardware founders seeking rapid physical prototyping without committing to factory tooling, researchers requiring bespoke instrumentation, and vocational learners acquiring digital-fabrication skills. Access for qualifying participants in MakerCube programme is free of charge; general membership fees are available on enquiry. The lab's proximity to opencampus.sh's StarterKitchen coworking space creates a natural pathway for founders moving from software ideation to physical prototype. Pricing tier: €.
Tampere, Finland · Startup Framery is a Finnish hardware manufacturer that designs and produces soundproof office pods and phone booths for open-plan workplaces. The company was founded in 2010 in Tampere, Finland by Samu Hällfors and Vesa-Matti Marjamäki after they were unable to find a ready-made solution for noise in their own open-plan office. Its product range includes the Framery One, Four and Six pods plus the newer Gradus line, along with workplace technology such as occupancy sensors, room displays and a management platform called Framery Connect. The company is headquartered and manufactures in Tampere, and in 2018 private equity firm Vaaka Partners became the majority owner.
Paris, France · Event The flagship summit of the French quantum ecosystem, held at Station F for its 5th edition. For deeptech founders and researchers it concentrates the country's quantum hardware and software players, corporates, and specialist investors into one day of conferences and demos.
Väimela, Estonia · Event Garage48 Future of Wood is a three-day hackathon where multidisciplinary teams build working prototypes — software, physical or architectural — that advance sustainable uses of wood and timber construction. Held at EWERS Tehnomaja in Väimela in southern Estonia's wood-processing competence hub, past editions have launched startups such as Single.Earth.
Linz, Austria · Coworking Space Grand Garage is a makerspace and educational workshop embedded within the Tabakfabrik Linz campus at Peter-Behrens-Platz 6, 4020 Linz. The facility spans approximately 2,000 square metres and equips members with access to more than 40 professional machines covering laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, electronics workbenches, and analogue woodworking tools. Members enjoy 24/7 keycard access to the production floor, while drop-in workshop hours run Tuesday through Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings for non-members and students. The space positions itself explicitly at the intersection of digital fabrication and skills education: alongside open membership it runs structured workshop programmes for schools and vocational training institutions throughout Upper Austria. Startups and product developers use Grand Garage primarily for rapid hardware prototyping — moving from concept sketches to physical prototypes without committing to factory tooling. Companies, associations, and educational institutions are listed as cooperation partners, giving the space a hybrid character between a community makerspace and a light industrial R&D facility. The membership model supports both individual makers and team-level access, consistent with an open-floor coworking approach applied to physical production rather than desk work.
Wroclaw, Poland · Venture Capital Hard2beat is a Wrocław-based pre-seed and seed venture fund founded in 2024 by Maciej Zawadziński — a serial entrepreneur with three exits including Piwik PRO (sold to Kirk Kapital in 2023) — alongside Maciej Frankowicz and Konrad Trzyna, who previously ran Shape VC's BRIdge Alpha programme. The fund closed at 84M PLN (~€20M), with PFR Ventures providing 56.5M PLN under the FENG programme and 30 private investors contributing the rest.
Hard2beat backs Polish deep-tech founders from pre-revenue to early revenue with 1–3M PLN initial cheques and follow-on up to 8M PLN, targeting teams with a genuine technical moat in cybersecurity, medtech, biotech, devtools, dual-use/defence, gamedev, robotics and spacetech — explicitly avoiding B2C and shallow AI. By mid-2026 it had made seven investments including the open-source cybersecurity platform Defguard, autonomous UAV startup DefendEye, Alzheimer's wearable developer Neuromedical, neuroprotection biotech Pikralida, Unreal Engine AI copilot Ludus AI, and devtools company Graftcode (€2.1M, led with DigitalOcean Ventures, 2026).
Eindhoven, Netherlands · Venture Studio Deep-tech venture builder at High Tech Campus Eindhoven (est. 2015). Runs a 9-month venture-building program turning advanced tech from CERN, ESA, and others into startups; exits include Accerion. Support: co-founding teams, seed funding, R&D ecosystem access. Scope: International.
Berlin, Germany · Event Organisator Organizer of IFA Berlin, one of the world's oldest and largest consumer electronics trade shows, running since 1924. Each September the event attracts over 180,000 visitors and features startup-focused programs like IFA NEXT, giving hardware and smart-home founders a global stage alongside major brands and media coverage.
Berlin, Germany · Event Flagship global consumer electronics trade show at Messe Berlin and a major launch platform for hardware and smart-home products. Startup-focused programs such as IFA NEXT help early-stage teams access media, distribution, and manufacturing partners.
Odense, Denmark · Event A professional drone-industry conference and exhibition at HCA Airport, organised by Denmark's robotics cluster Odense Robotics. Covers defence, legislation, and advanced air mobility — relevant for hardware and dual-use founders.
Antwerp, Belgium · Event imec's flagship technology forum, bringing the global semiconductor and nano-electronics value chain to Antwerp. Founders in chip design, AI hardware, quantum, and sensing get direct exposure to imec research roadmaps and corporate R&D leads.
Munich, Germany · Startup Kiutra is a Munich-based deep tech startup developing cryogenic systems and services for quantum technologies. The company manufactures helium-3-free cryostats that reach sub-kelvin and millikelvin temperatures, including the L-Type Rapid, X-Type, S-Type, and T-Type product lines, and offers cryogenic characterisation lab services for quantum device development. Kiutra serves leading quantum computing companies and research institutions globally and is a sponsor of Finnish Quantum Days 2026.
Vienna, Austria · Person German engineer and technology executive serving as Chief Technology Officer of NXP Semiconductors, a leading global semiconductor company, with deep expertise in automotive, IoT and edge computing. He is an announced speaker at the 2026 Technology Talks Austria conference.
Paris, France · Startup Ledger is the global leader in hardware wallets for cryptocurrency, providing secure cold-storage devices that protect digital assets offline. The company's Nano S and Nano X devices have sold over 6 million units worldwide, and its enterprise solution, Ledger Enterprise, serves institutional clients including funds and exchanges. Ledger also develops Ledger Live, a companion software for managing crypto portfolios. The company is a cornerstone of Europe's Web3 infrastructure ecosystem.
Dublin, Ireland · Startup Medical device company commercializing ReActiv8, an implantable restorative neurostimulation system that treats disabling mechanical chronic low back pain by stimulating the lumbar multifidus muscle. HQ in Dublin.
Brno, Czech Republic · Event Central Europe's largest industrial trade fair, held at the Brno Exhibition Centre with Industry 4.0 and the digital factory as core themes. A key venue for hardware, industrial-tech, and manufacturing-software founders.
Graz, Austria · Startup Multivative is a Graz-based early-stage startup that builds modular prototyping systems and Pick2Place workflows designed to accelerate electronics and hardware development for manufacturing teams. The company focuses on helping SMEs and industrial R&D labs produce electronic prototypes faster and more affordably by simplifying component placement and assembly steps. Multivative has received funding through the SURE5.0 Industry 5.0 programme and is part of the growing Styrian hardware and industrial automation startup cluster in Austria.
Kongsberg, Norway · Event NDC's software conference focused on embedded and systems programming at Magazinet Kongsberg — a specialist technical conference for engineers building real-world embedded products.
Metzingen, Germany · Startup NEURA Robotics is a German high-tech company founded by David Reger that develops cognitive robots combining integrated sensing with artificial intelligence for human-robot collaboration. Its product lineup includes the 4NE-1 humanoid robot, the MAiRA cognitive collaborative robot with integrated 3D vision and voice recognition, the LARA lightweight robotic arm, the MiPA service robot, and the MAV autonomous mobile robot. The company designs and manufactures its intelligent robots in-house. In June 2026 NEURA announced a record Series C of up to $1.4 billion at roughly a $7 billion valuation, led by Tether with backers including Nvidia, Amazon and Qualcomm.
Dublin, Ireland · Startup Medical-device company developing bimodal neuromodulation technology. Its flagship product Lenire is the first FDA-approved bimodal neuromodulation tinnitus treatment, available in 130+ clinics across the US and Europe. Founded 2010.
Paris, France · Person Co-founder and former CTO of Ledger, designing the secure-element architecture behind its hardware wallets. He is a long-standing expert in Bitcoin and embedded security.
London, United Kingdom · Startup Design-led consumer electronics brand behind transparent Android smartphones and earbuds. Nothing is a startup based in London, United Kingdom at the growth stage. The company operates in the Consumer Electronics, Hardware space. Learn more at their website.
London, United Kingdom · Startup Nscale develops and operates AI-native infrastructure, including modular data center capacity optimized for high-density GPU workloads. The company focuses on sovereign and energy-efficient compute supply for enterprise and model providers, and has expanded rapidly through large infrastructure financing and strategic partnerships.
Graz, Austria · Startup Nuki is a Graz-based Austrian startup, founded in 2014 by brothers Martin Pansy (CEO) and Jürgen Pansy, that makes retrofit smart locks and access hardware requiring no drilling and fitting most existing European door cylinders in minutes. Its line spans the flagship Smart Lock Ultra — with a brushless motor that unlocks in under a second and a 2025 CES Innovation Award — alongside the Keypad 2 (PIN, fingerprint and NFC), Opener (intercom bridge), Fob and Door Sensor, with compatibility across Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. Nuki was the first electronic lock with native Matter support and an early adopter of the Aliro NFC access standard, and is privacy-first, requiring no mandatory user account.
By early 2026 Nuki had over 600,000 smart locks deployed, more than one million active users and over two billion locking operations a year, positioning it as Europe's leading smart-lock brand after 50%+ annual sales growth in 2022 and 2023. The company entered the US market in July 2025 and is preparing a door-integrated Smart Module for late 2026. Nuki has raised roughly €22M, led by German growth investor Cipio Partners in a €20M+ 2021 round with Austrian backers Up to Eleven, Fortuna and Venta, and was an earlier strategic partner of Allegion.
Osijek, Croatia · Startup Orqa is an Osijek-based hardware company that builds high-performance FPV (first-person-view) goggles, video transmission systems, and drone software used by professional drone racers, industrial inspection teams, cinematography crews, and — increasingly — military users in Ukraine and elsewhere who need low-latency remote flight at scale. The company's flagship FPV.One family of goggles became a reference product in the high-end racing scene for its micro-OLED displays, refresh rates, and firmware openness, and the team has since expanded into digital HD video links and open FPV platforms. Orqa runs a full electronics design and manufacturing operation out of Slavonia, which is unusual in a region better known for software, and has become a visible example of defense-and-dual-use hardware built on a European open supply chain. For the directory it rounds out Croatia's industrial-tech picture alongside Rimac's automotive deep tech and Infobip's telecom infrastructure.
Massy, France · Startup Pasqal is a French quantum computing company founded in 2019 and spun out of the Institut d'Optique that builds quantum processors based on neutral atoms held and arranged with optical tweezers. Co-founded by researchers including Nobel laureate Alain Aspect, it develops full-stack hardware and software for applications in chemistry, finance and optimisation, and raised a 100 million euro Series B round in 2023.
Kyiv, Ukraine · Startup Pet-tech company founded in Kyiv in 2012 making interactive pet cameras with treat dispensers, GPS trackers and AI safety alerts, plus a Petcube Care subscription and online vet service.
Limerick, Ireland · Startup Develops AI radar-perception software (Software Defined Radar, 5D Perception) for automotive safety and autonomous driving, offering a LiDAR-free ADAS alternative plus off-road, smart-city and drone-detection uses. Founded 2019.
Oslo, Norway · Startup reMarkable is a Norwegian technology company based in Oslo that develops digital paper tablets designed to replicate the feel of writing on paper while reducing digital distraction. It was founded in 2013 by Magnus Haug Wanberg, who conceived the idea while studying at Harvard after finding it hard to focus on a laptop. Its first device, the reMarkable 1, began shipping in 2017, followed by the reMarkable 2 (2020) and the Paper Pro (2024). The company sells e-paper writing devices alongside a Connect subscription service offering features such as cloud storage and handwriting conversion. By May 2022 reMarkable reported it had sold over 1 million devices and reached a $1 billion valuation.
Vienna, Austria · Person Austrian executive and Chief Executive Officer of Infineon Technologies Austria, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, and a prominent advocate for research, innovation and industrial competitiveness in Europe. She is an announced speaker at the 2026 Technology Talks Austria conference.
Espoo, Finland · Startup SemiQon is a Finnish quantum computing hardware startup pioneering silicon-based quantum processors. The company develops silicon quantum dot devices (SemiQit), cryo-CMOS transistors optimised for cryogenic environments, and quantum integrated circuit chips, with the stated goal of making quantum computers more affordable, scalable, and sustainable through standard silicon manufacturing techniques. SemiQon is a sponsor of Finnish Quantum Days 2026 and has partnered with the European Space Agency on space technology applications.
Gdańsk, Poland · Startup SunRoof is a Polish-Swedish cleantech company building 2-in-1 integrated solar roofs — building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) that replace conventional roofing material entirely with a solar-generating surface for residential and commercial buildings. Founded in 2013 by Lech Kaniuk, Karol Kaniuk, Marek Zmysłowski and Rafał Plutecki, the company runs its main R&D and production hub in Gdańsk under a Swedish holding (SunRoof International), and operates across Poland, Sweden and Germany.
SunRoof has raised roughly €28.5M, including a €15M round led by the Klima Energy Transition Fund (Alantra), with earlier backing from World Fund, Nordic Alpha Partners, Inovo Venture Partners, SMOK Ventures and Alfabeat. It grew past 130 employees and positions its integrated roofs as a lower-carbon, design-led alternative to bolt-on solar panels.
Zurich, Switzerland · Event The national robotics gathering, organised by ETH Zurich's RobotX at the StageOne Convention Center, showcasing Swiss robotics research, spin-offs, and live demos. For a robotics or hardware founder it concentrates the Swiss robotics talent pool, lab spin-offs, and industrial partners into one day.
Bratislava, Slovakia · Startup Tachyum is developing the Prodigy Universal Processor, a bold attempt to unify CPU, GPU, and TPU workloads into a single hyperscale chip. The vision is a high-efficiency architecture that could dramatically reduce data center power consumption and cost. By 2026, the company is in moonshot territory, with tape-out success positioned as a potential disruption to incumbent giants like Nvidia and Intel. It is one of the most ambitious semiconductor bets in Central Europe.
Riga, Latvia · Event Baltic startup conference at Hanzas Perons with 2,300+ attendees and 250+ investors. Known for the Fifty Founders Battle (EUR 200k+ syndicate prizes) and strong Day 0 networking side events.
Şanlıurfa, Turkey · Event Turkey's flagship aerospace and technology festival at Istanbul Airport, attracting 1.7 million+ visitors with technology competitions, drone racing, space-tech exhibits, and a startup expo. Organized by the Turkish Technology Team Foundation with government backing. Free admission. Particularly strong on defense tech, aerospace, and hardware.
Delft, Netherlands · Incubator YES!Delft is a renowned tech incubator in the Netherlands, focused on turning university research and technical inventions into successful startups. Founded in 2005 by Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) – one of Europe’s top engineering schools – YES!Delft has grown into a deep-tech startup ecosystem supporting hardware and high-tech software ventures. The incubator offers a 3-4 month validation program for idea-stage teams, longer-term incubation for growth-stage startups, access to specialized labs and maker spaces, and connections to TU Delft’s extensive research facilities. Over the past 20 years, YES!Delft has incubated nearly 500 startups, collectively valued at over €1.2B. Notable alumni include Ampelmann (offshore access systems, now a global marine company) and E-nevia (electric mobility). The sectors span AI, robotics, medtech, aerospace, clean energy, and more – reflecting Delft’s engineering strengths. The incubator actively leverages partnerships: it works with corporates like KLM (aviation) and NS (railways) for pilot opportunities, and with government initiatives for grants. Startups at YES!Delft benefit from an entrepreneur-centric approach; the incubator was twice ranked a global top 5 university incubator by UBI Index. It offers an in-house venture fund (UNIIQ) that provides proof-of-concept funding (~€100k) to the most promising teams, bridging the gap to seed rounds. YES!Delft’s campus in Delft has co-working, an auditorium for events, and proximity to cutting-edge labs (e.g., quantum computing labs at QuTech). It has expanded with satellite branches in Rotterdam (focused on port and logistics tech) and The Hague (focused on AI and security) to tap regional industries. The name YES stands for “Young Entrepreneurs Society,” underscoring its community vibe: seasoned mentors, many of whom are TU Delft alumni entrepreneurs, guide newcomers. With continued support from TU Delft and the city, YES!Delft is a cornerstone of the Dutch innovation ecosystem – ensuring that inventions from classrooms and labs (like next-gen drones, solar cars, or medical devices) find their way to market via robust startups.