Advancing Deep Tech Value, Acceleration and New Competitiveness in Europe

The Irish Presidency Conference for the European Innovation Council (EIC) takes place at a critical juncture for the EU’s Startup and Scaleup Strategy. "ADVANCE" (Advancing Deep Tech Value, Acceleration and New Competitiveness in Europe) will serve as a launchpad for Europe’s renewed industrial sovereignty.

Hosted by University College Dublin (UCD), home to one of Europe’s most successful tech hubs, and supported by the EIC and Enterprise Ireland (EI), the Conference will bridge the gap between global Big Tech experience and emerging Deep Tech excellence.

The conference will provide a platform for founders, policymakers, large corporates, investors, universities, innovation agencies, and accelerators to assess Europe’s progress, identify persistent bottlenecks, and debate actionable policy directions. Delegates will examine important developments shaping Europe’s innovation future - from the European Tech Champions Initiative and the rise of university-based venture building to the increasing strategic importance of deep tech solutions for economic security, climate transitions, and technological sovereignty.