De-TECH Final Event 2026 showcases Europe’s next generation of deep tech ventures in Hannover
The two-day event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, students and innovation experts from across Europe to celebrate the achievements of the De-TECH programme and support the commercialization of cutting-edge university technologies.
The Deep Tech European Venture Builder (De-TECH) project concluded its 2026 edition with a two-day final event hosted by Leibniz University Hannover, bringing together representatives from partner universities, industry organisations, startups and public institutions from across Europe. The event marked the culmination of the De-TECH acceleration programme, highlighting innovative deep tech solutions with the potential to address major industrial and societal challenges.
Organised by the De-TECH consortium—coordinated by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and including Leibniz University Hannover, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Estonian Business School (EBS), Technoport, Effectia, and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality—the event welcomed participants from countries including Spain, Germany, Estonia, Türkiye, France, Italy and Azerbaijan, reinforcing the project’s commitment to strengthening European collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Building connections across Europe’s innovation ecosystem
The programme began with a networking day designed to encourage collaboration between participants from different countries and disciplines. Hosted at Leibniz University Hannover, attendees had the opportunity to visit the historic Einstein Elevator, an experimental facility used for gravitational physics research, before taking part in a guided tour of Hannover and attending the city’s annual festival.
These activities provided an informal environment for researchers, entrepreneurs and innovation professionals to exchange ideas, build international connections and explore future opportunities for collaboration within the European deep tech ecosystem.
Deep tech startups compete for venture development awards
The second day focused on the final competition of the De-TECH Venture Builder programme, where selected startup teams presented their technologies before a jury of experts. Competing for financial awards of €15,000, the teams showcased solutions developed through years of scientific research, covering sectors such as advanced manufacturing, sustainable materials, biotechnology and quantum technologies.
Among the projects presented were innovative solutions including:
- A fully bio-based wood adhesive produced from industrial plant protein residues, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based adhesives.
- A biotechnology solution using bacteria to recycle plastic waste.
- A medical technology project developing advanced brain implants to address neurological diseases.
- Novel structural materials based on patented geometries, already demonstrating their potential in advanced medical prosthetics and high-performance engineering applications.
The presentations reflected the diversity of deep tech innovation emerging from European universities and illustrated the programme’s objective of transforming scientific excellence into commercially viable ventures.
Innovation Challenges encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
Alongside the startup competition, students and researchers from the partner universities participated in the De-TECH Innovation Challenges, multidisciplinary workshops in which international teams worked on real business challenges proposed by participating startups.
Over the course of the day, the teams analysed technological and commercial problems, developed practical solutions and presented their proposals before fellow participants and experts. The initiative encouraged entrepreneurial thinking while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
Four startups awarded for outstanding deep tech innovation
At the conclusion of the competition, the expert jury awarded four venture development prizes of €15,000 to startups demonstrating exceptional technological innovation, commercial potential and societal impact.
- Hooosh was recognised for its AI-powered manufacturing platform, which automates CNC process planning using simulation-driven methods. By capturing the «process DNA» of machining operations, the platform enables manufacturers to optimise production workflows while addressing the growing shortage of skilled CAM programmers.
- LIGARO, a spin-off from Leibniz University Hannover, received an award for developing fossil-free wood adhesives derived from protein-rich industrial residues. The technology offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based adhesives by eliminating formaldehyde and isocyanates while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and improving wood recyclability.
- AVIA – Atomic Vapors in Application was recognised for its miniaturised atomic reference technology, which enables highly accurate timing and sensor synchronisation even when GNSS signals are unavailable. The technology has applications in resilient positioning, navigation, telecommunications and critical infrastructure.
- Morpho received an award for its advanced engineering platform for additive manufacturing. By combining topology optimisation, lattice and metamaterial design with simulation-driven workflows, the platform generates lightweight, high-performance mechanical components optimised for aerospace, automotive, robotics, healthcare and industrial applications. Its technology enables engineers to move beyond conventional CAD models towards performance-driven structures inspired by nature while remaining fully manufacturable through additive manufacturing.
Together, the four award-winning ventures demonstrate the breadth of innovation emerging from Europe’s research institutions, spanning sustainable materials, advanced manufacturing, quantum technologies and engineering design.
Competition and Demo Day
The Competition & Demo Day brought together startup pitches, keynote presentations and the final sessions of the De-TECH Innovation Tech Challenge – Agriculture & Food Edition. Throughout the day, finalists of the Venture Builder Competition presented their technologies before an international jury, while multidisciplinary teams of students from the partner universities developed solutions to real industrial challenges proposed by participating companies.
The Innovation Tech Challenge encouraged participants to combine scientific knowledge, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration to address issues related to sustainable bioeconomy, circular economy and agri-food innovation. At the end of the workshop, each team presented its proposed solution before the audience and expert evaluators, highlighting the importance of challenge-based learning as a complement to venture creation.
Strengthening Europe’s deep tech future
The final event highlighted the importance of supporting university researchers in transforming scientific discoveries into impactful businesses. By combining entrepreneurial training, mentoring, international collaboration and direct engagement with investors and industry, the De-TECH project continues to contribute to strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity and competitiveness in strategic deep tech sectors.