Mentor: Petr Sima – Founder and Partner of DEPO Ventures
How do you navigate Europe’s evolving deep tech landscape—and find the most promising investment opportunities? This workshop offers investors an in-depth guide to understanding the rich, complex, and highly dynamic European deep tech ecosystem.
Led by Petr Sima, Founder and Partner of DEPO Ventures, the session maps out Europe’s deep tech innovation hubs—from Berlin and Paris to Stockholm and the rapidly emerging ecosystems in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Participants learn to identify key players, leading startups, research institutions, and government initiatives such as Horizon Europe and the EIC Accelerator that support deep tech innovation.
The workshop also explores the unique opportunities and challenges of investing in CEE and Widening Countries, exploring their strong engineering talent, cost advantages, and growing VC activity alongside market fragmentation and access-to-capital hurdles. Real-world case studies highlight successful deep tech companies from the region, offering actionable lessons for investors seeking undervalued opportunities.
Participants also gain insight into sector-specific opportunities across AI and machine learning, cleantech and energy, biotech and healthtech, and advanced manufacturing. Investment strategies are explored in detail—from early-stage versus growth-stage investing, to syndication, co-investment, and understanding exit opportunities via M&A or IPO in Europe’s regulatory environment.
Through structured teaching, and practical case studies, this session equips investors with the knowledge and tools to confidently evaluate and invest in Europe’s fast-growing deep tech sector—unlocking the potential of one of the world’s most innovative regions.
👉 Access the Presentation Slides