DeepTechXL

✨ Congratulations to our portfolio companies, Delft Circuits and TracXon , on their outstanding recognition at the Hello Tomorrow Challenge!   Delft Circuits won the Advanced Computing & Cybersecurity Track Award for its pioneering cryogenic interconnect technology, a critical building block for scaling quantum computers.   TracXon received the Semiconductors & Advanced Electronics Track Award, recognizing its breakthrough approach to more sustainable and scalable electronics manufacturing through printed flexible hybrid electronics.   These achievements are a great reflection of the strength of the Dutch deep-tech ecosystem and of the exceptional teams building solutions to some of the world's most complex engineering challenges.   👏 Congratulations to the teams at Delft Circuits and TracXon. We're proud to support your journeys and look forward to seeing what comes next. Daan Kuitenbrouwer Sal Jua Bosman Martin Danoesastro Ashok Sridhar, PhD MBA Raghu Kishore Pendyala #Innovation #Deeptech #QuantumComputing #Semiconductors #AdvancedElectronics #ElectronicsManufacturing #FutureTech #VC

✨ A huge congratulations to the Keiron Printing Technologies team on raising a €20.7M Series A!   Deep-tech innovation is about solving fundamental challenges, and Keiron is doing exactly that. Its Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LiFT) technology reimagines one of the most critical steps in electronics manufacturing, replacing decades-old processes with a fully digital approach that improves precision, yield, flexibility and production efficiency.   We've been a lead investor in Keiron since the seed round and are continuing to back them again in this round. It's been exciting to see the team translate breakthrough technology into commercial momentum, with growing international recognition and a clear path toward becoming a new standard in PCB assembly.   Congratulations to the entire Keiron team and our fellow investors. We look forward to supporting Keiron as it scales internationally and helps shape the future of electronics manufacturing. #deeptech #eindhoven #VC #Innovation #Electronics

🎓 Incredibly proud of two outstanding interns who have just wrapped up their time with us at DeepTechXL! Eva Veldhorst completed her Master's thesis from Eindhoven University of Technology, developing a framework to help VC funds support startups in creating real sustainability impact in the post-investment stage. Practical, timely, and genuinely valuable work for the industry. Adryan Sedyaporna completed his Bachelor's thesis from Fontys ICT, building an AI tool to support VC deal flow screening and analyst work; tackling one of the most exciting intersections of AI and venture capital right now. Both received outstanding marks, and they deserved it. What made their work stand out was how grounded it was in a real VC context, not just theory, but insights that can actually be put to use. They will both be truly missed in the team. It's been a pleasure watching them grow and contribute, and I can't wait to see what they do next. The industry is lucky to have talent like this coming through. 🚀 #VentureCapital #Deeptech #Sustainability #AI

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗢𝗻 𝟮𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, TracXon opens its doors in Eindhoven for an exclusive Demo Day. This is where we unveil something the industry has been missing: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗼-𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝗩𝗜𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗔 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗫𝗼𝗻 — 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀. What to expect: - A live prototype demonstration of the R2R VIA process - Deep-dive sessions with our engineers and technology experts - Conversations with industry leaders, investors, and partners shaping the future of advanced manufacturing This is more than a demo. It’s a glimpse into how innovation becomes scalable reality. 📍 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘄𝗲𝗴 𝟮𝟮𝟮, 𝗘𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻 Two sessions (same program, please only register for one): 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝟭 | 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬–𝟭𝟯:𝟬𝟬 https://lnkd.in/dDGvCb4Q 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝟮 | 𝟭𝟱:𝟬𝟬–𝟭𝟴:𝟬𝟬 https://lnkd.in/dKea8KKe Please register for one session only. Curious to see what’s next for electronics manufacturing? Join us on June 25. #PrintedElectronics #FlexibleHybridElectronics #HybridPrintedElectronics #AdvancedManufacturing #DeepTech #RollToRoll #R2R #SustainableElectronics #ManufacturingInnovation

We’re featured in Laser Focus World, where our Program Manager Dario Lo Cascio shares insights on why ultra-low-loss connectivity goes far beyond quantum applications. While quantum computing is often seen as a primary driver for high-accuracy fiber alignment, the demand extends across many advanced photonic industries and the commercial opportunities are just as significant. From optical switching and routing in data centers and telecom networks to defense and space photonics, such as LiDAR, free-space optical communications, and satellite payloads, reliable fiber-to-chip coupling is becoming increasingly critical. These applications all require the same foundation: ultra-high-accuracy core positioning and ultra-low-loss connectivity. At MicroAlign, our roadmap supports quantum technologies and fast-growing markets like coherent communications, sensing, and defense photonics, where our precision manufacturing meets well-established, urgent customer needs. Thank you to Laser Focus World for featuring our story. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/envuYaeP

And we're off to a wonderful week at METPACK, the world's top fair for metal packaging in Essen, Germany! Our #team is ready at our booth. Come and meet our team, see a live demo of ultrafast #lasermarking on metal and find out what our technology can do for you! Visit us at booth 2E44. Want to secure a spot, then book a slot with our Team: https://lnkd.in/epcvvAAC #innovation #metalpackaging #METPACK #Laser HighTechXL DeepTechXL Cottonwood Technology Fund Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

The second article from my dissertation is published: “The Missing Middle: Designing and Implementing a Venture Capital Fund for Seed-Stage Deep-Tech Ventures". Deep-tech ventures have immense potential to solve major societal challenges, but many struggle to bridge the gap between research & development and commercialization. This research, part of my PhD at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, explores how venture capital funds can be purpose-built to address this “missing middle” in early-stage deep-tech venturing. Published in the Journal of Business Venturing Design, the article provides a practical blueprint for designing specialized VC funds tailored to early-stage deep-tech investing. It highlights key design principles including: 👉 Longer fund horizons to match deep-tech development timelines 👉 Larger initial checks to properly capitalize ventures through technical- and commercial de-risking 👉 Substantial follow-on reserves to support ventures across multiple rounds 👉 Multidisciplinary investment teams to assess and support technical complexity 👉 Ecosystem-driven value creation to help ventures build critical partnerships early At DeepTechXL, these principles are embedded in how we invest and support ventures that are building the next generation of disruptive products. Key takeaways for practitioners: ✅ Traditional VC models are often poorly suited for early-stage deep-tech ✅ Deep-tech requires a fundamentally different capital allocation logic ✅ Fund structure is strategic design, not administrative detail ✅ Building successful deep-tech VC funds demands multidisciplinary knowledge Many thanks to my co-authors and partners in the creation of this fund and subsequent academic conceptualization of the lessons learned: A. Georges L. (Sjoerd) Romme, John Bell, Gustaaf Frericks, Teska van Vuren, Ronald Maurer, and Ronald Meersschaert. Also thank you to the editorial board of JBVD: Henrik Berglund. 👉 See the article here: https://lnkd.in/erdaa4x5

Proud to share the first published article from my dissertation: “Investing in the Future: Evaluating Technology Ventures on Sustainability Impact in Venture Capital.” Early‑stage deep‑tech ventures often don’t yet have the data or maturity to assess their sustainability impact, while expectations from regulators and LPs continue to grow. This research, part of my PhD at Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, offers practical guidance for dealing with exactly this situation. Published in Technovation, the article introduces a framework tailored to VCs and early‑stage technology startups. It provides a clear, workable structure built on: 👉 Life‑cycle thinking to understand impact and risks across the full technology pathway 👉 Qualitative, forward‑looking assessments when data is limited 👉 Triangulation with stakeholders to increase reliability 👉 A standard process that still allows for case‑specific tailoring At DeepTechXL, this approach already supports how we evaluate and guide our ventures, helping teams make better‑informed decisions from the start. Key takeaways for practitioners: ✅ You can meaningfully assess impact early, even without hard data. ✅ Future impact matters more than current impact; especially in deep‑tech. ✅ A consistent structure improves decisions and comparability across cases. ✅ Engaging founders and experts leads to clearer, more realistic insights. Sustainability impact assessment is not just compliance; it’s a practical tool for building better companies and making better investment decisions. Many thanks to my co-authors: Charlot Felderhof, Duygu Keskin, and Sharon Dolmans from Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences at TU/e. And an additional thank you to the Technovation editors Wim Vanhaverbeke, Abayomi Baiyere, Dimo Dimov, and A. Georges L. (Sjoerd) Romme! Finally, thanks to our Impact Advisory Committee during the development and continuous improvement of this process Esther Kersten, Simon Braaksma, and Bartout Gieben! 👉See the article here: https://lnkd.in/e5zweP3U

Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering a workshop on the VC deal process to a group of highly motivated deeptech entrepreneurs from the TTT program, on behalf of DeepTechXL, the Thematic Technology Transfer Deeptech fund manager. We had engaging discussions around topics such as effectively engaging with early-stage VCs and building a strong founding team. Having started my own career as a scientist, I find these conversations particularly energizing. Supporting founders as they navigate the journey from breakthrough technology to scalable business is both inspiring and rewarding. Wishing all the brave founders every success in their journey. Thank you to TTT for the opportunity to contribute. Nico Nijenhuis, Maurits J.M. Burgering, Esther Rodijk-Rozeboom, Julie van den Brink, Toam Jaber, Hessel Mittelmeijer #Deeptech #Innovation #VC #Netherlands #TTT