LIQUIDLOOP’s Post

❗❓ 18 days❗❓ It's been 18 days since we launched our new ecosystem membership and were officially named the Deep Tech Hub of Berlin. As the initial excitement settles, we're now deeply engaged in the myriad tasks that come with launching a new focus and product. People often ask, "What exactly is #DeepTech?" or "What does it mean to be part of an #ecosystem?" While a detailed explanation can be found in the article linked in the comments, here's a more personal take: Deep Tech can mean many things, but for us, it's about creating significant economic impacts, societal benefits, and competitive advantages through advanced hardware technologies. For example: ➡ Advanced Materials: MotorSkins is leading the way. ➡ Nanotechnology: NanoMatter is making strides in semiconductor manufacturing. ➡ Robotics and Automation: Driven by startups like Bearcover and Skycharge. ➡ Energy Technologies: Innovations like green energy storage from LIQUIDLOOP and direct air capture from Ucaneo ➡ Advanced sensor technology within spacetech such as that solution of AIRMO These are just a few of the incredible resident startups in our ecosystem. And speaking of ecosystems, to us, it means a collaborative network of corporates, startups, investors, research institutions, agencies, manufacturers, and more—all working together to drive technological advancements. How do enable and support this ecosystem? 👉 we reduce the time and cost to market with easy access to emerging tech, promising network opportunities - also on a global level as well as facilitating key knowledge transfer. And what excites me the most is that we've recently welcomed some exciting new members (stay tuned to find out who), and they're all contributing to pushing these technologies forward. #openinnovation #netzero #berlin #startups MotionLab.Berlin

🚀 Lightium just closed a $7M seed funding round! 🎉 This milestone comes just one year after Lightium's incorporation. But today, it's not just about the funding. It's about celebrating every step, every learning, and every person who has been part of this adventure. 🌟 When we started Lightium, I wasn’t sure what this journey would bring. But one thing I knew for certain: it wouldn’t have started without my cofounder, Amir H. Ghadimi, who convinced me to jump into the cold waters of entrepreneurship. The journey took off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Techstars Berlin gave us the stage to meet amazing investors and mentors who believed in our vision and pushed us to grow. And let's not forget Innosuisse—their initial support was the spark that set us on this path.💡 But the real MVPs here? My family. ❤️ They’ve seen the late nights, the endless meetings, and the moments of doubt. Building a startup is exhilarating and a test of endurance I have never imagined for everyone involved. I couldn't have made it through this year without their support and patience. This funding isn't just a win for Lightium; it's a validation of the risks we've taken, the team we're building, and the vision we're chasing. To everyone who's been part of this journey—thank you. This success is as much yours as it is ours. Now, it's time to double down, scale up, and continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in integrated photonics! 💡 Here’s to the next chapter! 🚀 #SeedFunding #StartupJourney #Lightium #IntegratedPhotonics #NextChapter

#DeepTechBriefing of this week is out! Let's dive into the most groundbreaking developments in #DeepTech this week: 💊 𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐈-𝐄𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: NVIDIA and top VC firms are backing Vilya, a pioneer in AI-driven macrocyclic drug design, with a $71 million Series A funding. This technology promises to revolutionize the peptide therapeutics market, which is expected to reach $60 billion by 2025. 👁️ 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬: Researchers at NTU have developed ultra-thin batteries for smart contact lenses that can be charged by tears! This breakthrough could redefine real-time health monitoring and augmented reality applications. 🏡 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧-𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: The construction industry is turning to biochar-based materials to achieve carbon neutrality. ecoLocked’s innovative biochar concrete admixture is leading the charge, supported by a €4 million funding round. 🛰️ 𝐈𝐏𝐎 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: Astroscale, a leader in space debris removal technology, has debuted on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with a $1 billion valuation. Their orbital rendezvous technology marks a significant step toward sustainable space operations. 🔸 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧-𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Swiss startup Synthara AG has secured $11 million to advance in-memory computing technology, promising to transform embedded AI by enhancing processing speed and energy efficiency. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞? Deep Tech is the new frontier with $ trillions in assets! Get insights from cutting-edge tech innovations to the most significant startups and capital moves to stay ahead, stay competitive, and seize this new market opportunity! ✅✅✅ Here’s just a snapshot, read the full version here: https://lnkd.in/d5ntfu7w Each of these developments not only represents a technological leap but also underscores the interdisciplinary effort required to solve our most pressing global challenges. Whether it's through advanced drug discovery, innovative wearable tech, or sustainable construction practices, the path to a sustainable future is paved with innovation. Stay curious and informed, The Scenarionist #hardtech #techinnovation #tech #science #IPO #innovation #technology #startups #vcs #venturecapital

🚀 Exciting developments in the tech world! Lightmatter, a pioneer in silicon photonics, has just secured a staggering $400 million in Series D funding, propelling its valuation to $4.4 billion. This surge nearly quadruples its prior valuation of $1.2 billion from December 2022! Why is this important? 🤔 As AI continues to drive massive investments in data centers, Lightmatter is addressing critical challenges in energy consumption and scalability with its innovative technology. By utilizing light for computation, they not only enhance processing speeds but also significantly reduce power requirements—an essential step in sustainable tech development. In just six years since its inception, Lightmatter has raised a total of $850 million, showcasing the growing confidence investors have in their vision. Co-founder and CEO Nick Harris mentioned that this could be their last round of private funding, hinting at future aspirations for an IPO! The momentum doesn't stop there! Another photonic startup, Xscape Photonics, has also made headlines with a $44 million Series A funding to tackle similar challenges for AI data centers. As these developments unfold, it's clear that the future of computing is becoming increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly. Let’s keep an eye on these trailblazers in the photonics arena! For more insights, check the original article here: https://lnkd.in/dfkADYRz

📣 Extreme Tech Challenge announces the Semiconductors & AI for Climate Startup Cup, sponsored by Arm and FOXCONN HON HAI TECHNOLOGY! ✍ Applications are open now and close August 31, 2024. The goal of the XTC Startup Cup is to accelerate #semiconductor and AI technologies that can lead to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. 🌍 We invite innovative startups from across the globe to apply for this exciting competition, and we want to receive applications from every continent! Competition Tracks 🔹 Semiconductors and Ecosystem Innovations in advancing semiconductors and innovations in the supporting ecosystem, from chip design, manufacturing and materials to the broader ecosystem, including software, integration, and applications that rely on semiconductor advancements. 🔹 AI and Data Infrastructure Hardware and software environment designed to support AI and ML workloads. This infrastructure is crucial for efficiently processing large volumes of data, training complex models and deploying AI applications across various sectors. Key components: Computational Power, LLM, Networking and Connectivity. 🏅 Special Award: Data Center Efficiency Bonus! We’ll present a special award to the startup with the most viable and greatest impact to advance data center efficiency. The award will be presented to one of the Top 8 Finalists (four startups per track). Why should startups apply? 🌎 Global visibility: Pitch at the finals announcement and networking reception during TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco. 🚀 Connections and strategic partnerships: meet global industry leaders with massive potential for business development and collaboration. 🫱🏻🫲🏽 Network with startup founders, startup ecosystem builders, public sector stakeholders and VCs who can provide rocket fuel to scale groundbreaking technologies. 🖊️ Application open: August 5, 2024 📅 Application close: August 31, 2024 🏆 Finalist Announcement and Networking Reception: October 28, 2024 | TechCrunch Disrupt Side Event, San Francisco (venue TBD) 🏆 Live Pitch Event & Winner Announcement: January 7, 2025 | CES, Las Vegas Check out the Semiconductor & AI for Climate Startup Cup event page: https://lnkd.in/eQ2knpN2 Apply directly here: https://lnkd.in/eTQNvAyS #innovation #startups #ai #climate #datacenters Victoria Nancy John Shail Techleap Lars NXP Semiconductors ASML Young Bill Walden Catalyst Ventures Constantijn HighTechXL Silicon Catalyst Maureen McDonagh Will Abbey Christopher Bergey Rosalie Tribe Fran Baker J.R. Wu Jimmy Huang

Sifted has spotlighted Europe's fastest-growing deep tech startups of 2024. With €6.5bn invested in 488 deep tech deals so far this year, these companies are solving some of the world’s toughest challenges in advanced materials, semiconductors, batteries and more. Here are a few notable companies from the list: Daedalus – Pioneering autonomous precision factories for sectors like energy and medical technology. Multiverse Computing – Using quantum computing to enhance AI models in industries like finance and manufacturing. Quandela – Building scalable quantum computers for industrial applications. Latitude – Developing small rocket launchers to boost Europe’s satellite capabilities. Learn more about the fastest-growing deep tech startups across Europe by reading the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e582X6VS #DeepTech #AdvancedComputing #EnergyTech #Robotics #Semiconductors #Batteries #ClimateTech #Innovation #VC

🌍 Exciting times in #innovation! Last week’s Plug and Play Tech Center's Winter Summit brought together Startups, VCs, and Corporates to explore our biggest challenges. The #future of business is being shaped by cutting-edge technologies like #AI, #sustainability, and #MaterialScience. Here are some of the key takeaways: ⚡ AI continues its transformational march. But this time, we heard more talk about #SmallLanguageModels. These offer less hallucination than their large counterparts, and can be better suited for vertical specific use cases. 💡 #BusinessModelInnovation: A potentially huge shift is how companies pay for software: historically, we went from licenses to subscriptions to usage-based pricing models. Now, confident AI companies are starting to do outcome-based pricing, which aligns customer and vendor incentives more closely. 🌱 Innovations in sustainability: #CarbonCapture and #efuels are the main drivers, as well as #hydrogen. And if you’re in Switzerland and working on hydrogen, follow Plug and Play Tech Center because they’re organizing a hydrogen week in Switzerland in February! 💎 Advances in materials science: genAI is helping iterate hardware prototyping and create new materials, including #DiamondSemiconductors, proteins, antibiotics and #PhotonicComputing. 🚀 What are your thoughts on these emerging trends? #energy #materialsScience #startups #SiliconValley

Hardware is hard. Deep tech is even harder! I'm looking for some cool and impactful science or research based projects with hardware/physical product to showcase their accomplishments at NORDEEP Summit Sept 18-19th in Espoo, and giving out a demobooth for a day to TWO exciting startups. Plus a free ticket to some others too. Criteria: From Nordic or Baltic country. Have an actual physical product to showcase, at least a functioning prototype, etc. Has specific science or research background. Could be robotics, health, food, energy, mobility, construction, fabrics, quantum computers etc. Please comment or tag such startups. ONE COMPANY per comment, please! And if you see something you like in the comments, please like/comment those so we have a feeling of a shared excitement! #deeptech #startups #hardware #nordics #baltics #nordeep

#AcceleratorSpotlight: The Gate Brainport Eindhoven 📍 Location: University of Technology Eindhoven, The Netherlands About: The Gate serves as the accelerator within the Brainport ecosystem. It provides access to high-quality programs and self-assessment tools to track startup progress, as well as shared facilities including housing, prototyping spaces, cleanrooms, and simulation labs. Support Provision: 👉 Within the Brainport ecosystem, there is access to professional trainers, researchers and a multi-disciplinary team of experts around business development support, IP-support and an extensive network of regional industry and SME companies. 👉 Two nearby test centres support innovators in developing and evaluating their technologies. 👉 DIANA innovators benefit from the Brainport Innovation and Technology for Security (BITS) ecosystem, driving dual-use innovation for the Dutch defence sector and its NATO allies. 👉 The accelerator connects startups to R&D resources from high-tech industry and research institutions, focusing on key enabling technologies and precision manufacturing; 30% of the Netherlands' industrial R&D comes from the Brainport region. 👉 In-house programs leverage best practices, insights from experts like Steve Blank, and extensive startup coaching experience. Focus area: 👉 The Brainport region excels at integrating diverse technologies like synthetic materials, AI, embedded software, mechatronics, electronics, photonics, and precision engineering. This synergy drives the creation of deep tech products in fields such as healthcare, energy storage, mobility, robotics, agriculture, and safety, all aimed at delivering positive societal impact. "Empowering innovators is our way of engineering peace." Find out more 👇: https://lnkd.in/dhaBvvze  #innovation #research #international #EindhovenUniversityofTechnology #startups #accelerator #natodiana #dualuse #defence

🚀 Ready to launch your frontier tech startup journey? Foundry applications are officially open! We're inviting PhD students, early-career researchers, and trailblazers from research institutions across Australia and Aotearoa to join our flagship program for deep and biotech founders. 🏋♀️ Dive deep into your frontier tech startup idea with the *full force* of the Blackbird network, mentored by founders who are building top-tier frontier tech companies right now and the investors who funded them! 👩💻 You'll learn from the best deep and biotech companies in the world today – Opto Biosystems, Vow, Remedy Robotics, PsiQuantum, Vexev, Cortical Labs, Harrison.ai, Fleet Space Technologies, Inventia Life Science, Synchron, Talo Labs, and many more. ⭐ What does the program involve? * 8 week tailored program timed to fit alongside your research or job; * A $1k grant - no equity, no strings, no fees (this is new!); * Get matched with a relevant, excellent frontier-tech mentor from the Blackbird network; * A chance to win a further $5k in the Foundry comp day; * A community of ambitious, brilliant technical folk---for life. 😎 This cohort will join alumni like of Megan Coomer, PhD (Cell Bauhaus), Harry Robertson, Diana Zhang (Preview Health), Felix Thomsen (Iceberg), Richard Parsons (Kite Magnetics™), Billy Jeremijenko (Aquila), Grace Brown (Andromeda), Denzil Furtado (Messenger Bio), Alinta Furnell and Ismat Kabbara (Synbiote) and many more---a community of genuine technical superstars building incredible, real solutions to wicked problems. 💰 Previous Foundry cohorts have raised millions from venture investors (including Possible Ventures, Outset Ventures, Investible, Galileo Ventures, and Blackbird), proceeded to specialised and world-class accelerators (including Startmate, MassRobotics, and Y Combinator), and---most importantly---are building incredible companies. Curious about how Foundry can turn your research into reality? Applications are open until July 26. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience. Clare Birch and I will be hosting an AMA on July 16 to answer all your questions. Register at the link in the comments. Know someone perfect for Foundry? Tag them below or send them our way! #FoundryBB