Munich, Germany · Venture Capital 10xDNA is a Munich-based deep-tech venture capital firm founded by serial entrepreneur and Die Hoehle der Loewen judge Frank Thelen. The fund focuses on disruptive technologies across artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space technology, synthetic biology, and energy. It targets companies whose technology has the potential to scale by an order of magnitude versus incumbents, backed by Frank Thelen's three decades of operating experience across consumer software, mobile, and deep tech.
Warsaw, Poland · Person Theoretical physicist and professor at the University of Warsaw and the National University of Singapore, specialising in relativistic quantum information. He is also an internationally recognised photographer known for the high-contrast 'Dragan effect' and has directed campaigns for Netflix, HBO and PlayStation.
Lausanne, Switzerland · Innovation Hub EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is Switzerland's second federal technical university, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. Ranked among Europe's top research universities, EPFL has become one of the continent's most prolific generators of deep-tech and life-sciences startups, producing over 400 spin-off companies since 2000. Notable alumni companies include Nexthink, SOPHiA GENETICS, Astrocast, and Distalmotion. EPFL Innovation Park, located adjacent to the main campus, houses hundreds of startups and bridges academic research with commercial application across quantum photonics, precision health, robotics, and digital finance. The park includes an ESA BIC Switzerland programme that incubates space-tech startups. For founders in the Lake Geneva region, EPFL provides a uniquely dense combination of technical research infrastructure, institutional support, venture-ready talent, and direct access to EPFL's technology transfer office.
Zurich, Switzerland · Innovation Hub ETH Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich) is one of the world's leading technical universities, consistently ranked in the global top ten for engineering, computer science, and natural sciences. Founded in 1855 by the Swiss federal government, ETH Zurich has produced 22 Nobel laureates and is the academic origin of many of Europe's most important deep-tech companies, including Scandit, Planted, and Araris Biotech. Its Technology Transfer Office (ETH Transfer) manages IP licensing and supports spin-out creation, having enabled over 500 spin-off companies. ETH Zurich's Pioneer Fellowship and Student Project House programmes provide early-stage support to founders still on campus. For founders in the Swiss ecosystem, ETH Zurich is the deepest single source of engineering talent, research partnerships, and institutional credibility across fields from quantum computing and robotics to materials science and food technology.
Paris, France · Event Week-long deep-tech programming across Paris with major sessions at Station F and Bpifrance-linked venues, designed to connect science-based founders with industrial buyers and patient capital. Includes deep-tech summit programming across SpaceTech, quantum, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
Helsinki, Finland · Venture Capital Voima Ventures was founded in 2019 in Helsinki by Inka Mero, a serial entrepreneur and investor, and specialises exclusively in science-based deep tech spin-outs from universities and research institutions across the Nordics and Baltics. The firm raised its third fund of €90 million in 2023, bringing total assets above €100 million, and invests €200,000–€3 million at the earliest stages in biotech, quantum, AI, energy, climate, and life sciences. Over 70% of its 51 portfolio companies originate directly from academic labs, including Solar Foods. Voima is one of the few female-founded and female-led VC funds in the Nordics.