Innovation in Deeptech
Deeptech
About the Plug and Play Deeptech Program
Plug and Play Deeptech is a deep tech accelerator and corporate scouting program that helps Fortune 1000 companies, governments, and universities partner with startups working at the edge of AI, aerospace, and semiconductors. Since launching the vertical in 2014, PNP Deeptech has accelerated 800+ startups, made 100+ investments, and operates from 4 offices worldwide alongside 20+ active corporate partners, and a wider network that includes major corporations like Bosch Germany, Doosan Bobcat, Fujitsu, Liteon Technology, Panasonic and Santec.
Our Deeptech Partners
PNP Deeptech, by the numbers
Vertical was Launched
Vertical was Launched
Startups Accelerated
Startups Accelerated
Investments so far
Investments so far
Corporate Partners
Corporate Partners
Offices Worldwide
Offices Worldwide
What Plug and Play Deeptech Does
We run three things in parallel for our institutional partners: a curated startup scouting pipeline, a cohort accelerator program, and a venture fund that co-invests in the most promising companies. It is an open innovation and venture client model in which our partners source, pilot, and invest in deep tech startups without building a sourcing function in-house. The vertical concentrates on three focus areas where corporate R&D budgets are moving fastest.
Connectivity, Big Data & Artificial Intelligence
Supporting the hardware behind today's Foundation-model infrastructure, edge AI, industrial data platforms, & encryption for AI workloads and requirements.
Find more info about our Portfolio companies including one of our latest Unicorns, Zama AI (end-to-end encryption), Covariant (foundational robotics models), DataRobot (enterprise AI), UiPath (process automation), and Reality AI (embedded ML for hardware).
Aerospace, Defense & Spacetech
Explore new horizons by backing new technologies like orbital infrastructure, in-space manufacturing, autonomous systems, and dual-use sensing.
We find cutting-edge technologies from the aerospace & defense industries by supporting custom innovation programs for partners like CMG Networks, the Texas A&M University System, and other companies whose R&D roadmaps overlap with the space & defense supply chain.
Semiconductors, Quantum & Future of Compute
Invest in the companies developing the next generation of chip design tools, advanced packaging, photonics, quantum architectures, and the material science underneath them.
Learn more about our growing semiconductor programs around the globe and dive into the profiles of some of our Portfolio companies including XNOR.AI (efficient on-device inference) and Industrial Analytics (semiconductor-grade equipment monitoring).
Our Areas of Expertise
Deeptech Focus Areas
Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing merges state-of-the-art technologies and inventive processes to enhance the manufacturing and semiconductor sector's efficiency, quality, and capabilities. This is achieved through predictive maintenance, forecasting, and advanced data analysis tools.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
Harnessing AI, ML, and natural language processing advancements to facilitate data analytics, empowering organizations to extract actionable insights and drive business intelligence from data.
Future of Computing
Edge and cloud computing technologies optimize load distribution to process data efficiently. Moving specific data segments closer to the edge reduces latency, enhancing operational efficiency in various industries. Embracing these advancements is vital to staying competitive and meeting the demands of the rapidly evolving deeptech sector.
Process Automation
AI tools and APIs support digital transformation and enhance efficiency. Adopting API and RPA technologies empowers organizations to streamline processes, driving innovation and paving the way for platform business models. Process automation is a cornerstone in revolutionizing operations, enabling businesses to adapt and thrive in the fast-paced digital landscape.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing advancements allow for lightning-fast complex calculations, paving the way for revolutionary problem-solving capabilities. From design and simulation to predictive analytics and asset management, quantum computing is key to unlocking unprecedented efficiency and innovation. Its impact transcends industries, offering a paradigm shift in approaching and tackling intricate challenges.
Robotics & Autonomous Operations
Robotics and autonomous systems enhance operational efficiency and are equipped with advanced vision and sensing technologies. These robots collaborate seamlessly with humans, tackling menial, dangerous, or repetitive tasks. Their integration boosts productivity and ensures a safer work environment, heralding a new era of innovation and collaboration.
Space Economy
The space economy is driving advancements in satellite systems and remote sensing technologies. Exploring space operations fuels innovation in crucial areas like GPS and communication, shaping the future of interconnected technologies. Embracing advanced space-related innovations is critical to unlocking new opportunities and expanding the frontiers of the deeptech landscape.
Sustainability & Net-Zero Assets
Harnessing the internet of things (IoT) and cutting-edge technologies bolsters sustainability through automation, digitization, enhanced precision, lower energy usage, and further strengthening the circular economy while reducing carbon footprints.
Smart Home in Deeptech Innovation
Smart homes leverage digital transformation to create advanced, connected consumer products. These innovations aim to reduce physical human interaction with devices, enhancing convenience and efficiency in everyday living. Embracing smart home technology streamlines tasks and sets the foundation for a more interconnected and automated future.
Catch up on the latest updates in Deeptech:
How we work with Corporations
What you get when you partner with PNP Deeptech:
Curated startup dealflow
Precisely matched to your R&D roadmap and business-unit priorities, drawn from 800+ accelerated startups and a continuously screened pipeline spanning three Deeptech focus areas.
Targeted startup shortlist
A hand-picked selection of the most relevant startups, delivered with the PNP Deeptech team acting as a dedicated extension of your open innovation and venture client function, so your internal team stays focused on evaluation, not sourcing.
Pilot & proof-of-concept
Warm introductions to startups that have already been vetted against your specific technical and commercial evaluation criteria, reducing friction and accelerating the path from first meeting to funded pilot.
Co-investment opportunities
Direct access to co-invest alongside the PNP venture fund, with 100+ investments in the Deeptech vertical alone, 2,500+ portfolio companies across all verticals, and $40B+ raised at the company level, giving partners a privileged view of the most promising frontier deals.
Market intelligence & trend reports
Forward-looking intelligence synthesized from PNP's 25-vertical, 60-city global footprint, tracking where frontier technologies in quantum, robotics, photonics, and advanced materials are heading before they reach mainstream awareness.
Physical access to PNP Deeptech offices
On-site access to PNP's dedicated Deeptech facilities and the Silicon Valley HQ for partner workshops, Selection Days, Expo events, and direct startup engagement, where strategy turns into real working relationships.
Executive Testimonial
“What we really appreciate about Plug and Play is going from this 1000-mile view to a really narrow, custom approach using the dealflow sessions. Here, we can not only learn about everything that’s out there, but we can also tailor it and utilize the Plug and Play team as our eyes and ears to support our open innovation efforts.”
— Simon Kocur, VP, Strategy & Business Development, Santec
For Governments: Build a Deep Tech Innovation Hub in Your Region
What you get when you partner with PNP Deeptech:
Place-based accelerator program
Fully tailored to your city or region's innovation priorities, built on Plug and Play's operational experience running programs across 60+ locations worldwide and 25+ industry verticals, from emerging tech hubs to established innovation districts.
Startup attraction & FDI pipeline
International Deeptech founders introduced to local pilot opportunities, public-sector procurement pathways, and resident corporate partners, turning your region into an active landing zone for high-growth technology ventures.
Curriculum & program design
Battle-tested program architecture adapted for your context, drawn from the 100+ innovation programs PNP operates worldwide, covering everything from cohort selection methodology to demo day and corporate matchmaking formats.
Pilot & proof-of-concept
Structured introductions between government agencies or local anchor companies and startups pre-vetted against your defined technical, regulatory, and operational evaluation criteria, reducing time-to-pilot significantly.
Corporate co-investment
Catalytic capital deployed alongside PNP and corporate partners, designed to multiply the impact of public funding rather than substitute it, mobilizing private sector commitment around government-backed innovation priorities.
Job creation
Transparent reporting tied to specific cohort outcomes: funding events closed, corporate-startup deals executed, and resident company graduation and retention rates, giving policymakers measurable ROI on program investment.
Why this beats building it in-house:
Standing up an in-house corporate venture or scout team means hiring, sourcing, and building dealflow before the first pilot ever runs. PNP Deeptech compresses that. Fujitsu partnered with PNP Deeptech portfolio company MoBagel and launched its first generative-AI agent for digital marketing in one month with 4× faster processing, 60% lower compute cost, and 10 new applications deployed across four departments, outperforming the top automated machine learning vendors Fujitsu had previously evaluated.
- 4× / Faster processing
- 60% / Lower compute cost
- 10 / New applications deployed
- 1 month / From partnership to launch
For Universities: Turn Research Into Funded, Industry-Backed Startups
What you get when you partner with PNP Deeptech:
Technology transfer program
A commercial acceleration layer built on top of your existing TTO: connecting research IP to active corporate pilot demand and venture capital, so breakthrough discoveries move from the licensing shelf to funded proof-of-concept and market entry.
Investment & proof-of-concept funding
Direct funding access for resident and spin-out startups through the PNP venture fund, with 100+ investments in Deeptech alone, bridging the gap between grant-stage research and venture-backable companies.
Pilot & proof-of-concept support
Structured introductions between your university's spin-outs and startups with corporate partners pre-vetted against defined technical and commercial criteria, compressing the runway from lab validation to real-world deployment.
Corporate partnerships for sponsored research
Active pathways to hiring pipelines, joint research initiatives, and co-funded pilots with 20+ Deeptech corporates, including Intel, Bosch, Samsung, and Mercedes-Benz, anchored in ongoing program relationships, not one-off introductions.
Employability outcomes for graduate researchers
Hands-on exposure to PNP's portfolio companies and corporate R&D teams through structured programming, giving PhD researchers and postdocs a direct route into deeptech careers beyond academia.
Access to our network
Program architecture and peer connections built on Plug and Play's active collaborations with 100+ universities worldwide, giving your institution a seat inside the most active corporate-startup-academic ecosystem in deeptech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Plug and Play better than relying on a technology transfer office?
Most tech transfer offices are structured to license IP, not to spin up companies. PNP Deeptech adds the layers a venture studio would: investor relationships, corporate pilot customers, and a peer cohort of 800+ accelerated companies the founder can learn from in real time.
Partner with us on research commercialization ->
Plug and Play Deeptech vs. building it in-house
A simple comparison for innovation leaders weighing the build-vs-buy question.
| Dimension | In-house CVC or scout team | Plug and Play Deeptech |
| Time to first pilot | Multi-quarter ramp to hire, build, and source | Pilots run within the active cohort cycle |
| Dealflow surface area | Bounded by team headcount | 800+ accelerated startups plus an active screened pipeline across 3 focus areas |
| Cross-corporate co-investment | None, you fund alone | 100+ investments alongside 20+ corporate partners |
| Geographic reach | Wherever you have offices | 4 PNP Deeptech offices + 60+ Plug and Play locations company-wide |
| Cost structure | Fixed (salaries, overhead, fund commitments) | Membership-based, scales with engagement |
| Output | Go / no-go decision on technical feasibility | Scale / iterate / terminate decision based on the operational performance data |
How does Plug and Play scout deeptech startups for corporations?
PNP Deeptech runs dealflow sessions with each corporate partner, an open innovation and venture client model that moves from a broad scan of the 800+ startups in the network down to a custom shortlist matched to the partner's specific R&D and business-unit briefs. Santec's VP of Strategy describes the process as "going from this 1000-mile view to a really narrow, custom approach." Shortlisted startups are then introduced for pilot, proof-of-concept, or co-investment conversations.
Can corporations access deeptech innovation without in-house R&D?
Yes, this is the core use case for Plug and Play Deeptech. Through an open innovation and venture clienting model, corporations run deep tech startup partnerships without standing up their own scout team. Fujitsu launched its first generative-AI agent in one month by partnering with PNP Deeptech portfolio company MoBagel, achieving 4× processing speed and 60% lower compute cost than its previous machine learning vendors. The same pattern repeats across the 20+ corporate partners in the vertical: PNP Deeptech sources, screens, and shortlists; the corporate runs the pilot. No in-house scout team or CVC arm required.
Why is this better than running our own incubator?
A regional incubator built from scratch produces local dealflow; it doesn't produce international dealflow or Fortune 1000 corporate pilot demand. PNP Deeptech brings both into the program on day one: 550+ Fortune 1000 partnerships at the company level, with 20+ corporate partners specifically active in the deeptech vertical. As Plug and Play's Partner & CRO Michael Olmstead puts it, the model "doesn't aim to replace existing innovation activity, but serves more as a multiplier."
How does Plug and Play help universities commercialize deeptech research?
PNP Deeptech adds three layers on top of a university's existing technology transfer office, the layers a venture studio would bring: venture investment (100+ investments in the deeptech vertical, $1B+ AUM company-wide), corporate pilot partnerships with 20+ deeptech corporates, and a peer cohort that gives founders learning across 800+ accelerated companies. At the company level, Plug and Play partners with 100+ universities globally.
How is Plug and Play Deeptech different from Y Combinator or Techstars?
Y Combinator and Techstars are generalist accelerators that take equity in startups and run founder-focused cohorts. PNP Deeptech is structured around the corporate partner: its primary customer is the Fortune 1000 R&D team, not the startup founder alone. Corporate partners fund the program and gain first-look access to vetted deeptech startups across AI, aerospace, and semiconductors. Founders get pilot customers and co-investment alongside the cohort experience.
How we help our corporate partners innovate in Deeptech
Real Success Stories
Industry Insights
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