Events

Date
10.12.2026

Location
Area Science Park

The CERIC Deep-Tech Innovation Forum (December 10th 2026, Trieste, Area Science Park) will bring together deep-tech startups and scale-ups, research infrastructures (RIs), venture capital investors, science parks and incubators to explore how advanced scientific capabilities can accelerate technology development and market readiness, while building long-lasting collaboration across the deep-tech ecosystem. Through challenge presentations, startup pitches, discussions with research and innovation experts, and feedback from venture capital investors, the Forum will connect the needs of emerging deep-tech companies with investment perspectives and the scientific expertise and capabilities available across the CERIC Consortium and its wider network.

In particular, the Validation Challenge session will focus on concrete R&D and technology-development challenges related to materials, nanomaterials and devices, where advanced analytical and characterisation capabilities and CERIC’s broad scientific and technical expertise could help understand properties, interactions, behaviour and performance, identify defects and ultimately support the further development of a technology. Participating companies will have the opportunity to identify suitable analytical approaches, techniques and expertise to address their specific needs. This initial interaction can facilitate and accelerate the definition of concrete follow-up activities with CERIC, which may be pursued through the appropriate access route (Open Access for non-proprietary research or Commercial Access for proprietary R&D).

The Pitch for Investment session will give selected startups and scale-ups the opportunity to present their technologies, business potential and investment opportunities directly to participating venture capital investors. The session will provide companies with direct feedback, helping them better understand investment expectations, strengthen their positioning and explore potential further engagement with investors interested in deep-tech ventures.

The event is designed to foster practical dialogue between research, innovation and investment, identify concrete opportunities for collaboration, and strengthen connections across European deep-tech ecosystems.

The following startups will take part to the CERIC Deep-Tech Innovation Forum: MUST Visibility FlexCo (Austria), Cernais S.r.l. (Italy), Sferogen d.o.o. (Slovenia), Novac S.r.l. (Italy), Ichnovia S.r.l. (Italy), Luxyon d.o.o. (Croatia), Yeastime s.r.l. (Italy), Gum Guardian (Slovenia), Magnetic Future s.r.l. (Italy), CarbonLume Inc. (Canada), Ecolyte Gmbh, Atomiver s.r.o. (Czech Republic), ACR Materials GmbH (Austria).

Preliminary Programme

December 9^th

20:15 a dinner will be held for speakers/invited participants.

December 10^th

08:45–09:15 | Registration and Welcome Coffee. Arrival, registration and informal networking.

09:15–09:20 | Welcome and Introduction Opening remarks from CERIC Director

09:20-9:30 | How Advanced Research Infrastructures Accelerate Deep-Tech Innovation A brief introduction to CERIC and the role of advanced research entities and infrastructures in supporting deep-tech development and validation.

09:30-10:50 I Startup Ecosystem: Pitch Investment Showcase – Part I. Selected deep-tech startups present their innovations, investment opportunities and future development plans to venture capital investors.

10:50- 11:05 | Coffe Break

11:05-12:15 | Deep-Tech: From Validation Challenges to Solutions – Part I. Deep-tech companies present their R&D and technology validation challenges, followed by feedback from CERIC research facilities experts on potential analytical approaches, techniques and solutions.

12:15-13.15 | Networking Light Lunch

13:15-14:25 | Startup Ecosystem: Pitch Investment Showcase – Part II. Selected deep-tech startups present their innovations, investment opportunities and future development plans to venture capital investors.

14.25-15.30 | Deep-Tech: From Validation Challenges to Solutions – Part II. Deep-tech companies present their R&D and technology validation challenges, followed by feedback from CERIC research facilities experts on potential analytical approaches, techniques and solutions.

15:30-15:45 | Coffee Break

15:45-16:25 | Building Bridges Between Research, Innovation & Investment.
A roundtable exploring how research infrastructures, investors, science parks and incubators can strengthen collaboration, overcome barriers and build a more connected and supportive deep-tech innovation ecosystem.

16:25-16: 30 | Closing remarks

For further information, please contact our Senior Industrial Liaison Officer: angela.zennaro@ceric-eric.eu

*event supported by