In the midst of geopolitical tensions and volatile markets, the question of the capacity of Europe to resist the storms to come, especially since President Trump seems determined to have his book of tariffs on the continent, is looming.
But a new extended report says that Deeptech is about to become a key pillar of Europe’s security, defense and autonomy, especially from the United States
DeepTech attracted 15 billion euros ($ 16.3 billion) to venture capital investments in 2024, according to a 184-page report by Lakestar capital companies, Walden Catalyst, Dealroom and Deeptech Conference, Hello Tomorrow. The report also revealed that nearly a third of all venture capital capital in Europe will now be on Deep Tech.
The activity of mergers and acquisitions in space increased to $ 12.2 billion last year, according to the report, but it also found that European startups Deeptech still count on the United States for outings. In addition, 50% of the growth capital raised by Deeptech startups comes from outside the continent.
However, Deeptech could also be considered as a coverage against normal “Investments of Momentum” among the venture capital, the report said.
The co-author of the Lukas Leitner report, also investor Deeptech in Lakestar, told Techcrunch that if geopolitical tensions pose significant challenges, Europe must embrace the moment and Deeptech could be the key that unlocks future resilience for the continent.
However, the coming road is not without challenges. The United States has a “steering wheel” in Deeptech while the European ecosystem is still immature, noted Leitner. “We have a steering wheel in the” shallow “technological scene. You see a lot of second founders, leaving revolut and so on, creating large companies. But not yet Deeptech companies. »»
“Europe has solid research institutions, engineering talents and a public feeling of support for Deeptech, but there must be political changes to promote a culture that supports risk-taking,” he added.
Arnaud de la Tour, the CEO of Hello Tomorrow […] Many seek to return to Europe due to the geopolitical landscape. But we must certainly have the right political framework in order to unlock the type of potential we have. »»
Leitner stressed that the relative weakness of Europe in the computation power is offset by its strengths in photonic computer science, which offers major speed and efficiency advantages. “We are really good in Europe with photonics, because we have good laser systems, and we have good basic research on the photonics side,” he said.
From the tower added that Europe could also benefit from a brain drain in the United States when science is funded by the Trump administration. “The National Science Foundation, which is the largest supporter of research applied to the founders in the United States, has made a budgetary by half. Many of these great scientists have no more jobs, and many could come to Europe, “he said.
