The De-TECH Project Seeks Open Innovation Challenges from european companies
The Deep Tech European Venture Builder (De-TECH) project, funded by the EU’s EIT HEI programme, is seeking open innovation challenges from companies connected to the consortium’s universities—Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Estonian Business School, Istanbul Technical University, and Leibniz University Hannover.
The aim is to involve these companies in a programme focused on finding innovative, deep-tech-based solutions proposed by students and researchers.
Leibniz University Hannover Leads Open Innovation Programme with Companies under the De-TECH Project
Leibniz University Hannover is coordinating an open innovation initiative with companies as part of the Deep Tech European Venture Builder (De-TECH) project. The project involves three other European universities: UniversidadPolitécnica de Madrid, Estonian Business School, and Istanbul Technical University.
The goal is to identify innovation challenges from companies connected to the partner universities and then launch a programme to develop deep tech-based solutions proposed by students and researchers.
Over the coming weeks, the project will solicit open innovation challenges by inviting companies affiliated with the De-TECH partners to propose specific technological problems that require innovative solutions. These challenges may address the following topics:
- Climate change and circularity
- Space and dual-use technologies
- Bioeconomy and life sciences
- Digitalisation and artificial intelligence
- Quantum technologies
- Social innovation
- Health
Between three and six challenges will be selected. A call for solutions will then be launched, followed by a series of open innovation workshops in which students and researchers from the participating universities will develop and refine their proposals. This process will include close collaboration with industry experts to enhance the applicability and impact of the proposed technologies.
In December 2025, a final in-person workshop will be held in Istanbul, where participants will present their solutions.
What is the Deep Tech European Venture Builder Consortium?
The Deep Tech European Venture Builder Consortium is coordinated by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and includes the Estonian Business School, Istanbul Technical University, and Leibniz University Hannover. The consortium also includes two industrial partners: Technoport, a high-tech incubator based in Luxembourg, and Effectia, an innovation consultancy from Spain. Additionally, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality participates as a public sector partner.
The European Union funds the Deep Tech European Venture Builder Competition 2025 through the EIT HEI Initiative. It is structured around four key pillars to bring university-based innovations to market:
- Identify promising technologies developed at the partner universities through collaboration with their Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), and assess their market potential.
- Launch innovation challenges that connect universities and companies with real-world needs, promoting creative and entrepreneurial thinking among students and researchers.
- Run the De-TECH competition, supported by an intensive start-up acceleration programme that includes training, mentoring, and financial assistance. Winning projects will receive funding and present their ideas to investors at DemoDay events.
- Deliver training in entrepreneurial and technological skills for students, researchers, and university staff, aiming to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and equip participants with the tools they need to lead innovation.