Understanding the Shift Toward Deep Tech in Europe
European industries are currently undergoing a massive structural transformation. As markets become increasingly saturated with software-as-a-service products and consumer applications, investors and policymakers are turning their attention toward deep tech. Unlike traditional tech startups that focus on business model innovation, deep tech companies are built on substantial scientific research and engineering breakthroughs. These ventures operate in sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, robotics, quantum computing, and biotechnology. Developing solutions in these areas requires significant research and development, long gestation periods, and highly specialized talent.
Europe recognizes that maintaining global competitiveness depends heavily on its ability to commercialize scientific discoveries. To achieve technological sovereignty, the European Union is actively funneling capital into deep tech ecosystems. However, this capital needs viable pipelines of companies and talent to fund. This necessity creates a prime opportunity for regions that possess strong academic foundations but have historically been overlooked by major venture capital firms. Central and Eastern Europe is rapidly emerging as one such region, offering a rich pool of engineering talent and a growing appetite for entrepreneurial ventures.
The Strategic Importance of Central and Eastern Europe
Historically, innovation hubs in Europe have been concentrated in a few western capitals. Today, the narrative is shifting. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) boasts a long-standing tradition of excellence in engineering, mathematics, and the hard sciences. Countries in this region produce thousands of highly skilled STEM graduates annually. The challenge has rarely been a lack of talent, but rather a lack of localized infrastructure to connect that talent with early-stage capital and international markets. Events that bridge this gap are critical for decentralizing Europe’s innovation landscape and ensuring that technological development is evenly distributed across the continent.
Explore our related articles for further reading on how regional tech ecosystems are evolving across the European continent.
How the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing Drives Innovation
At the core of Croatia’s deep tech ascent is the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER). As the leading technical educational institution in the country, FER serves as the primary engine for generating the talent and research necessary to sustain a high-tech economy. The faculty’s curriculum is rigorously aligned with the demands of modern industry, covering critical areas from electrical power engineering and space technologies to data science and computational modeling.
However, FER’s role extends far beyond traditional education. The institution has actively cultivated an environment where academic research translates into commercial applications. By supporting initiatives that encourage students and researchers to think entrepreneurially, FER ensures that laboratory breakthroughs do not remain confined to academic papers. This proactive approach to technology transfer is exactly what modern deep tech ecosystems require to thrive.
Bridging Academic Research and Commercialization
A prime example of this commercialization effort is the Innovation Center Nikola Tesla (ICENT), which operates within FER. ICENT acts as an incubator and accelerator, providing the physical and intellectual infrastructure needed to spin out advanced technologies. Within this center operates Nuqleus, an academic entrepreneurship program specifically designed to guide researchers and students through the complexities of building a deep tech startup. Nuqleus provides mentorship on intellectual property, product-market fit, fundraising, and scaling operations. By embedding these programs directly within the university structure, FER creates a seamless pipeline from doctoral research to viable enterprise.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about academic entrepreneurship programs and how they facilitate research commercialization.
What to Expect at Liftoff Zagreb 2026
Scheduled for 1 July 2026 at the Mozaik Event Center, Liftoff Zagreb is positioned to be one of the largest deep tech gatherings in Central and Eastern Europe. Organized by Nuqleus, the event represents the physical manifestation of Croatia’s growing innovation capabilities. It is supported by the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, the World Bank, and the DIGIT project, underscoring the high level of institutional backing the local deep tech sector currently enjoys.
The conference is designed to facilitate meaningful interactions between the various pillars of the innovation ecosystem. Attendees will include startup founders, academic researchers, corporate industry representatives, and government policymakers. The scale of the event is notable: organizers expect more than 500 participants from across Europe, featuring over 80 startups and technology companies, alongside more than 30 European venture capital funds.
Keynote Speakers and Institutional Insights
Gaining visibility into the future trajectories of European innovation policy is a major draw for attendees. Liftoff Zagreb has secured participation from leading European financial and institutional bodies. Confirmed speakers include Marko Primorac, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Michiel Scheffer, President of the Board of the European Innovation Council (EIC). Additionally, Stefan Drüssler, the Chief Operating Officer of Unternehmer TUM—Europe’s leading startup incubator—will share insights on building scalable technology companies. These speakers will outline how institutions plan to deploy capital and support structures, with a specific focus on the role that Central and Eastern Europe, and Croatia in particular, will play in the coming decade.
Nuqleus Demo Day and Startup Showcases
A central component of the Liftoff program is the Nuqleus Demo Day. This segment provides a platform for the most promising startups emerging from the Nuqleus Startup Builder program to pitch their technologies directly to a room full of international investors. For deep tech founders, Demo Day represents a critical milestone. It offers a chance to showcase complex, scientifically driven products to an audience that understands the long-term value propositions of deep tech, moving beyond the rapid-growth metrics typical of consumer software pitches.
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Networking with Leading European Venture Capital Funds
Capital is the lifeblood of deep tech. Because deep tech companies require significant upfront investment before generating revenue, securing funding from investors who understand the risk profile of scientific ventures is essential. Liftoff Zagreb facilitates this by bringing together a targeted group of venture capital funds. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with partners from Xista Ventures, Emerald Ventures, EBRD VC, AYMO Ventures, and GapMinder, among others.
Engaging with these funds provides multiple benefits for founders. First, it allows them to gauge current market sentiments regarding specific deep tech verticals, such as quantum computing or advanced robotics. Second, it opens the door to follow-on meetings and potential term sheet negotiations. For investors, the event offers a curated deal flow of CEE-based startups that have already been vetted by academic programs like Nuqleus, thereby reducing early-stage diligence friction.
Why Choose Croatia as Your Next Deep Tech Destination
As Liftoff Zagreb demonstrates, Croatia is no longer just a tourist destination; it is rapidly solidifying its status as a regional innovation hub. Several structural factors make the country highly attractive for deep tech investment and company building.
Access to Top-Tier Engineering Talent
The foundation of any deep tech company is its team. Croatia produces a disproportionate number of highly capable electrical engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians relative to its population size. Institutions like the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing ensure a steady, reliable pipeline of graduates who are trained in the exact disciplines required to build advanced hardware and software systems. For foreign companies and investors, establishing a presence in Zagreb offers direct access to this talent pool without the intense competition and inflated salaries found in larger western European hubs.
Cost-Effective R&D Operations
Deep tech research requires time and capital efficiency. Operating laboratories, hiring specialized researchers, and running prolonged prototyping phases are substantially more cost-effective in Croatia than in traditional tech capitals. This economic advantage allows startups to extend their runways, conduct more thorough testing, and achieve critical technical milestones before needing to raise large, dilutive funding rounds. Furthermore, the Croatian government and EU structural funds provide various grants and non-dilutive funding opportunities specifically targeted at R&D activities, further enhancing the financial viability of setting up operations in the country.
Submit your application today if you are a researcher looking to commercialize your project within a supportive academic environment.
Prepare for the Future of Technology in Zagreb
The convergence of strong academic institutions, targeted government support, and increased international venture capital attention is creating a positive feedback loop for Croatia’s deep tech sector. Events like Liftoff Zagreb are critical for accelerating this momentum. They force local ecosystems to benchmark themselves against European standards, expose founders to global best practices, and signal to the international market that the region is open for business.
For startup founders, attending Liftoff Zagreb offers a strategic advantage. It provides a concentrated environment to secure funding, find co-founders, and establish partnerships with larger corporate entities looking to adopt new technologies. For investors, it is an efficient mechanism to scout emerging deal flow in a region that promises high returns on early-stage deep tech investments. For researchers and students, it demystifies the path from academic research to commercial enterprise, proving that building a global technology company from Croatia is a realistic and achievable goal.
Mark your calendars for 1 July 2026. Secure your place at the Mozaik Event Center to observe and participate in the next phase of European deep tech development. Take advantage of the promotional code FER20 to receive a 20% discount on STUDENT and BASIC tickets, available through the Entrio platform.
Share your experiences in the comments below regarding deep tech events and the growth of regional innovation hubs across Europe.
