Hanae Taxis of CERN took to the stage at Innovations United to spotlight a bold initiative: CERN Venture Connect. Designed to help deep tech startups overcome the infamous “valley of death,” the program offers world-class technologies, flexible licensing, and unparalleled ecosystem access – without taking equity. With 8 startups already onboard, it opens new doors for scientific innovation to scale commercially across Europe.
Key Highlights:
🧪 CERN’s Mission Beyond Physics
Known for the Large Hadron Collider and the Higgs boson, CERN is stepping into the startup arena. Its mission: transfer its cutting-edge technologies from the lab to market through deep tech entrepreneurs.
💥 Tackling Deep Tech’s Hardest Problems
80% of deep tech startups fail in five years. Why? Long R&D cycles, unclear market fit, lack of funding, and talent shortages. CERN Venture Connect is designed to directly tackle these headwinds.
🔧 CERN Venture Connect: A New Tech Transfer Model
The program offers:
- Licensing of 7 mature, high-TRL technologies tested in extreme environments
- Flexible terms: 2% royalty (only after €1M revenue), no equity
- Access to CERN’s global alumni network & brand legitimacy as a “CERN startup”
- Events, workshops, and exposure to over 50 partner organizations (50% are deep tech VCs)
🌍 Global Collaboration, Local Opportunity
The program is open to startups in Czechia and other CERN member states. Whether you’re building from scratch or scaling up, the program supports early-stage ideas to commercial-ready ventures.
🚀 Startups in Action
- Infocal (NL): Using CERN’s structured laser beam to print directly on objects without consumables
- Orbeva Robotics (TR): Integrating laser tech for sustainable agriculture
- MoTeC (PL): Applying CERN’s “Rusho” software to inspect critical infrastructure via data tomography
Quote to Remember:
“We created CERN Venture Connect to turn years of particle research into real-world impact. We want deep tech founders to have a shot at building what matters.”
Why It Matters
With flexible, founder-first licensing and a prestigious network, CERN Venture Connect is bridging the gap between science and scalable business. As deep tech gains traction in Europe, this program could set a gold standard in how research institutions support innovation.
Startups from Czechia and other CERN states: CERN is open for business.
