Istanbul hosts Demo Day and the 2025 Competition of the European DE-TECH project to strengthen deep tech entrepreneurship in universities
The final agenda is now available for an event that aims to consolidate a European ecosystem of entrepreneurship based on deep technologies, reinforcing the role of universities, researchers, and students as active agents in the creation of technology-based companies.
On December 10 and 11, the city of Istanbul will become the meeting point for some of the most promising European initiatives in the field of deep tech, with the celebration of Demo Day and the 2025 Competition of the DE-TECH – Deep Tech European Venture Builder project. This international event brings together teams from different European countries who, after months of working together, will present the progress of their technological projects aimed at transforming research results into innovative solutions with real market potential.
The purpose of the meeting is to consolidate a European ecosystem of entrepreneurship based on deep technologies, reinforcing the role of universities, researchers, and students as active agents in the creation of technology-based companies.
DE-TECH thus aims to stimulate knowledge transfer, increase the technological maturity of developments arising in the academic sphere, and strengthen a collaboration network that will enable the European university system to compete in an increasingly demanding global environment.
The first day of the event will be held on December 10 at the İBB Baruthane Cultural Center, where participants, in addition to showcasing their projects, will have the opportunity to visit ITU’s entrepreneurship and incubation centers on a tour that demonstrates the strength of the host institution’s innovation support model. The day will conclude with a cultural program at the iconic Basilica Cistern, followed by an informal gathering that has encouraged exchange between universities and collaborating entities.
The main event takes place on December 11 when the competition and Demo Day are held. The opening session includes presentations by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the project’s academic leaders, who will outline the context, objectives, and structure of the program. Throughout the day, the participating teams present their projects to a specialized jury in two presentation sessions that showcase the diversity of technologies, approaches, and business models developed over the past few months.
After the presentations and networking sessions, the competition culminates with the awards ceremony, which will be attended by the Rector of Istanbul University, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal.
DE-TECH Demo Day is thus a milestone in the consolidation of a European framework for university innovation that promotes the creation of new technology-based companies, fosters the training of entrepreneurial talent, and strengthens cooperation between academic institutions and agents in the deep tech ecosystem.
The detailed agenda is as follows:
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.