{"id":51874,"date":"2025-02-27T10:36:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accuracy.com\/?p=51874"},"modified":"2025-04-02T12:19:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T10:19:05","slug":"ai-action-summit-paul-gagnon-partner-bcf-global-jean-barrere-partner-accuracy-kate-horin-partner-invisible-technologies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.accuracy.com\/en_gb\/ai-action-summit-paul-gagnon-partner-bcf-global-jean-barrere-partner-accuracy-kate-horin-partner-invisible-technologies\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Action Summit – Jean Barr\u00e8re, Partner, Accuracy, Paul Gagnon, Partner, BCF Global & Kate Horin, Partner, Invisible Technologies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

As part of the AI Action Summit, Accuracy and BCF Global hosted a high-level forum on financing Deep Tech.<\/strong><\/p>

With \u20ac150 billion pledged at the AI Action Summit<\/strong> to drive European AI innovation, the stage was set for a critical conversation: how can Europe finance Deep Tech\u2014capital-intensive projects that require years of R&D but promise transformational breakthroughs?<\/strong><\/p>

The forum brought together over 100 senior leaders from VCs, corporates, law firms, and deep tech startups, including Quandela, Pasqal, Alice & Bob, LightOn<\/strong>, and Mistral AI<\/strong>. The discussion underscored a pressing dilemma:<\/p>

Should Deep Tech startups accept foreign capital to survive\u2014potentially losing sovereignty over key technologies\u2014or can Europe create a financing ecosystem robust enough to support its own future champions?<\/strong><\/p>

Here were some of the key takeaways<\/strong> of the forum that was divided into three panel sessions:<\/p>

  1. Deep Tech is essential for Europe\u2019s technological sovereignty<\/strong>. It encompasses quantum computing, new materials, advanced biotech, fusion energy, and aerospace innovation\u2014technologies that do not just optimize processes like AI but fundamentally reshape entire industries. These breakthroughs define industrial competitiveness, national security, and economic power.<\/li>
  2. Deep Tech financing follows a fundamentally different model<\/strong> from traditional tech investments. Unlike artificial intelligence, which can be quickly monetized by leveraging existing computing infrastructure, Deep Tech requires long research and development cycles<\/strong>, specialized infrastructure, and significant capital before becoming commercially viable. The challenge extends beyond individual startups to building an entire industrial value chain<\/strong>. This includes securing access to critical raw materials, developing highly specialized manufacturing processes, setting up large-scale testing and production facilities, and establishing a robust ecosystem of suppliers, partners, and end-users. Without this comprehensive approach, even the most promising Deep Tech innovations risk being unable to scale, commercialize, or compete on a global stage.<\/li>
  3. This creates a funding gap<\/strong>. Traditional venture capital models prioritize five-to-seven-year returns, making Deep Tech less attractive to private investors. At the same time, the United States and China are injecting billions into quantum, biotech, and energy innovation through a mix of private capital, government subsidies, and industrial partnerships. Without an urgent shift, Europe risks losing ground to these aggressive markets.<\/li>
  4. So, how does Europe bridge this gap? Public-private collaboration is key<\/strong>. Sovereign funds and public initiatives help de-risk investments<\/strong>, attracting institutional capital. Programs like the Tibi funds<\/strong>, which channel long-term savings into Deep Tech, are promising but must be scaled up to match Europe\u2019s ambitions.<\/li>
  5. Standard-setting<\/strong> matters as much as funding. Without a stronger industrial voice in global standards, Europe could find itself adopting rules set by dominant US or Chinese players, limiting its ability to shape its own technological future.<\/li><\/ol>

    This forum, hosted by Accuracy and BCF Global, shed light on what is at stake for Europe\u2019s Deep Tech ecosystem. Europe has the talent, research, and industrial base to lead. The goal of the forum was to highlight the benefits of aligning financing mechanisms, industrial policy, and standards leadership<\/strong>.<\/p>

    Watch our event debrief video, interviewing Paul Gagnon, Partner, BCF Global, Jean Barr\u00e8re, Partner, Accuracy, and Kate Horin, Partner, Invisible Technologies.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t