deepX 2025: Investing in Science, Building the Future
Scientific breakthroughs are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace. Yet the key challenge remains: How do we turn cutting-edge research into scalable, investable businesses? deepX, the xista Portfolio Day, brought together investors, industry leaders, and some of Europe’s most promising deep tech startups to examine the question: "How can venture investments in science drive impact in an uncertain environment?".
Highlights from xista science ventures’ annual Investors & Portfolio Day
Even in uncertain times, investing in science delivers impact.
That was the core message at deepX, our annual gathering at the ISTA campus, where investors, founders, and scientists came together to explore how deep tech can help tackle the biggest challenges of our time.
Set in the Moonstone Hall, this year’s edition created space for honest conversations, early insights, and new connections across the European deep tech ecosystem.
We opened with one question to the room: What’s the most important factor for the future of deep tech? The answer: Talent. And it was on full display on stage, at the startup booths, and in the conversations throughout the day.
What happened at deepX 2025
Opening keynote: xista science ventures Managing Partner Markus Wanko presented Fund II and our long-term vision: backing science-based ventures that combine depth, timing, and market relevance.
Fund II First investments revealed: Two new companies currently in stealth gave early insights into their work in AI and laser technologies. Both represent the kind of science-first businesses that are ready to scale with the right support.
Roundtable: Turning Science into Growth With Jodi Barrientos (Ribbon Bio), Ariel Bensimon (Solgate), and Michael Lukesch (VALANX Biotech), moderated by Alexander Schwartz. Key insight: Deep tech growth isn’t just about company-building, it’s about shifting how markets and industries engage with scientific innovation.
Three portfolio companies pitched live:
- Brainhero, supporting neurodivergent children with accessible neurofeedback
- infrared.city, building AI-powered, climate-adaptive cities
- Syntropic, developing non-drug, light-based treatments for depression
Fireside chat: From university to global startups With Ketil F. Widerberg (Oslo Cancer Cluster), Michaela Fritz (Medical University of Vienna), and Gregory Vladimer (Graph Therapeutics), moderated by Ingrid Kelly Spillmann. A shared theme: Experience matters, but so does early, patient capital, especially in Europe, where momentum around deep tech is growing, but early-stage risk-taking still needs a push.
At xista science ventures, we back founders who turn scientific insight into solutions that scale. Early-stage funding is a critical part of that journey and Europe is ready to lead, if we invest accordingly. Thanks to all speakers, startups, investors, and guests who made deepX 2025 a meaningful day for the science innovation community!
Further exciting news from our ecosystem
deepX 2025: Investing in Science, Building the Future
Scientific breakthroughs are transforming industries at an unprecedented pace. Yet the key challenge remains: How do we turn cutting-edge research into scalable, investable businesses? deepX, the xista Portfolio Day, brought together investors, industry leaders, and some of Europe’s most promising deep tech startups to examine the question: "How can venture investments in science drive impact in an uncertain environment?".
Highlights from xista science ventures’ annual Investors & Portfolio Day
Even in uncertain times, investing in science delivers impact.
That was the core message at deepX, our annual gathering at the ISTA campus, where investors, founders, and scientists came together to explore how deep tech can help tackle the biggest challenges of our time.
Set in the Moonstone Hall, this year’s edition created space for honest conversations, early insights, and new connections across the European deep tech ecosystem.
We opened with one question to the room: What’s the most important factor for the future of deep tech? The answer: Talent. And it was on full display on stage, at the startup booths, and in the conversations throughout the day.
What happened at deepX 2025
Opening keynote: xista science ventures Managing Partner Markus Wanko presented Fund II and our long-term vision: backing science-based ventures that combine depth, timing, and market relevance.
Fund II First investments revealed: Two new companies currently in stealth gave early insights into their work in AI and laser technologies. Both represent the kind of science-first businesses that are ready to scale with the right support.
Roundtable: Turning Science into Growth With Jodi Barrientos (Ribbon Bio), Ariel Bensimon (Solgate), and Michael Lukesch (VALANX Biotech), moderated by Alexander Schwartz. Key insight: Deep tech growth isn’t just about company-building, it’s about shifting how markets and industries engage with scientific innovation.
Three portfolio companies pitched live:
- Brainhero, supporting neurodivergent children with accessible neurofeedback
- infrared.city, building AI-powered, climate-adaptive cities
- Syntropic, developing non-drug, light-based treatments for depression
Fireside chat: From university to global startups With Ketil F. Widerberg (Oslo Cancer Cluster), Michaela Fritz (Medical University of Vienna), and Gregory Vladimer (Graph Therapeutics), moderated by Ingrid Kelly Spillmann. A shared theme: Experience matters, but so does early, patient capital, especially in Europe, where momentum around deep tech is growing, but early-stage risk-taking still needs a push.
At xista science ventures, we back founders who turn scientific insight into solutions that scale. Early-stage funding is a critical part of that journey and Europe is ready to lead, if we invest accordingly. Thanks to all speakers, startups, investors, and guests who made deepX 2025 a meaningful day for the science innovation community!