Deep Science Ventures

Financing the next generation of Deep Tech Our Focus: IP-heavy startups emerging from universities and research institutions. Our Role: Closing the Funding Gap between science and business. Our Goal: Sparking innovation in the Austrian spinoff ecosystem. (Your) Research Can Change Tomorrow! Let’s Make It Happen! Austrian research produces excellent results – and this is mostly due to amazing researchers and university staff working on cutting edge topics in research institutions and universities all across the country. Noctua Science Ventures helps to turn some of this research into deep-tech companies by providing early-stage funding to academic startups that have been developed at universities or research institutes in Austria. Think of us as the counselling owl on a sciencepreneur’s shoulder - guiding spinoffs through critical stages, from team building to intellectual property strategy and business scaling. As a joint venture between Speedinvest and the TU Vienna, we leverage a deep relationship with universities and research institutions as well as a Europe-wide investors network. If It Works in the Lab, It Can Work in the World! Are you a scientist or student leading a research project that might be the next big thing? Are you in need of a strong partner for funding and counseling to guide your idea into a marketable product? We are focused on deep-tech pioneers across five key verticals.Software & AI Deep Tech Climate & Industrial Tech SynBio & BioTech HealthTech Our Secret Sauce: Academic excellence + Venture capital What makes Noctua Science Ventures special is the unique interlude between one of the largest seed investors in Europe and one of the best-placed research universities in the world. The combination of Speedinvest’s extensive experience in early-stage investing with TU Vienna’s high-potential research expertise/network is our superpower.

We are in the midst of the greatest period of innovation civilisation has ever seen. This century, technology will revolutionise our lives more powerfully and more rapidly than the industrial revolution did. This time we have an opportunity - and an obligation - to ensure technology is a force for good, that improves the lives of future generations without collateral damage. We’re optimistic this is possible, and we choose to focus on the possibilities of great teams setting out on meaningful missions, rather than obsessing about what might go wrong. The defining companies of our generation will be addressing fundamental issues in climate, energy, health, and equitable society. These are the companies we want to make possible. These are the founders we strive to serve. This is our reason for being. Our focusTechnologies: We look for frontier technologies across deep tech, life sciences, and software platforms that are unlocking unprecedented innovation. The convergence of diverse disciplines is where we see breakthroughs take place. Mission: We invest in solutions to the world's most pressing challenges across climate, energy, health and society. Sustainable initiatives such as carbon capture, energy transition, food & agriculture and new materials will pave the way for a cleaner future, as will fostering the circular economy and exploring space for alternative resources. New tools and models for drug discovery and precision medicine will benefit health and longevity, while AI-supported software tools, financial inclusion and upskilling will boost productivity, creating a more equitable future for all. Geography: We recognise that Interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, leading to breakthrough ideas and solutions. The brightest minds often gravitate to these intersections and each other, and that can happen anywhere. We are always open to exploring new regions and building relationships with entrepreneurs and investors across the globe. Stage: We are primarily focused on investing in pre-seed and seed rounds, supporting startups at the early-stages of their development. We may also consider later-stage companies that are showing strong growth potential and are a good fit with our investment strategy.

LiquidMetal Ventures is a newly established venture capital fund based in Boston, aiming at investing in early-stage (Seed, Angel, and pre-A round) in a minority group, particularly deep-tech startups. LiquidMetal Ventures is based on deep-tech start-up communities and has a unique advantage in reaching out to ‘off-the-market’ early-stage deals and cooperating with peer VC funds tightly to reduce the risk, overall a high return could be expected. LiquidMetal Ventures focuses on biotech and healthcare, carbon neutrality, AI and data, infrastructure, and consumer tech. There is a huge tide of startups among Boston entrepreneurs in the US on the way. We would like to be the first to check VC with the founders. Investment FocusBioTech Medical Device Sustainability AI & Data Science Advanced Energy Technology Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing

We invest in visionary science start-ups. As part of the xista ecosystem, set up by the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, xista science ventures speak the language of scientist and investor. This makes us a unique partner to fuel founders’ deep tech ideas and help build exciting, scalable companies. Our understanding of academic spin-offs and the deep tech founders landscape, allows xista science ventures to recognise, analyse and propel companies to the next stage. We encourage the cross-fertilisation of startups to inspire new discoveries. Let us learn and profit from each other.

Vsquared Ventures backs entrepreneurs engineering the seemingly impossible. We are early-stage investors in deep-tech companies tackling society's most pressing challenges, with an emphasis on quantum and novel computing, green energy, robotics, Al/ML, new space, synthetic biology, and healthcare. Our team of founders, academics, operators and innovators has invested in over 30 companies to date and built one of Europe's strongest deep-tech portfolios, forging alliances with key players in industry, research, and a global startup ecosystem along the way. The companies we've partnered with so far include Isar Aerospace, IOM, Zama, The Exploration Company, and Custom Cells.

Our planet is facing a multitude of urgent challenges; from climate change, dwindling natural resources and rapid urbanisation, to a growing demand for accessible healthcare. These pressing issues call for innovative and sustainable solutions that only scientific advancements can provide. Deep Science as an Asset Class.We invest in scientific breakthroughs that together advance human capability and create financial returns. We’re looking for: Entirely new technologies developed from fundamental research IP-rich innovations with competitive defensibility Solutions to real problems in Life Sciences, Advanced Materials, TechBio, Photonics and Quantum Hardware, Robotics and Automation, AgChem/Tech and DeepTech We offer portfolio exposure to deep science investments supported by a best-in-class due diligence process conducted by experienced entrepreneurs, operators, investors and scientists Investing with Empirical Ventures. ACCESS: leading pre-seed and seed rounds by leveraging our market-leading due diligence and domain expertise, opening doors to the best deals and co-investors SELECTION: our robust, highly selective process identifies cutting-edge scientific advances from the UK R&D landscape with the most compelling commercial opportunities SCALE: Our track record presents unparalleled opportunities to scale our portfolio companies and attract the best follow-on investors and talent POSITION: Our approach increases the probability of reaching Series A, a key inflection point for pre-seed and seed investors.