What are deep technologies?
Deep tech innovations are indispensable in creating solutions to the most pressing global challenges facing Europe. The EIT HEI Initiative is committed to working together with universities and partners to boost knowledge in deep tech fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cleantech to power new technologies for a brighter Europe.
Deep tech are institutions, organisations and start-ups whose objective is to provide advanced and emerging technology solutions to complex global challenges, like climate change, sustainable energy or health. These scientific or engineering solutions often require lengthy research and development and large capital investment before successful commercialisation.
In November 2022 the EIT’s HEI Initiative announced its first call for proposals with a special focus on deep tech. The call required that applicants showed how they would build innovation capacity through the integration of deep tech talent-fostering activities. Applying consortia were also asked to show how their applications aligned with the Deep Tech Talent Initiative and contribute to deep tech innovation. In addition, all organisations in the selected projects from this call submitted an official expression of interest to make a pledge in line with the objectives of the Deep Tech Talent Initiative.
As a result, 16 projects, involving 100 HEIs and 79 non-academic organisations (companies, research centres, public authorities and associations), will benefit from maximum funding of EUR 750 000 each to support their innovation capacity, with a particular focus on deep tech.
In July 2022, the EU announced the New European Innovation Agenda, which includes a list of 25 actions that will help to boost the number of deep tech start-ups in Europe. The actions are grouped into five flagships.
