15 Deep Tech Opportunities to Innovate in Quantum, Robotics, and Defence
Events, accelerators, and hackathons that deliver results
This week’s Deep Tech Now brings you:
5 unmissable events for Robotics, at the intersection of industry, education, and innovation
The 5 top accelerators for Quantum startups, in Europe and beyond
Europe’s 5 best upcoming hackathons for Defence, helping build tomorrow’s Dual Use startups
Browse our handpicked opportunities and events, aimed at helping you turn ideas into commercial outcomes.
Robotex International
European Robotics Week (ERW) | Multiple locations | November 21-30, 2025
One week of activities across Europe, focusing on robotics in education, work, and society.
Robotex International | Tallinn, Estonia | December 5-6, 2025
One of the world’s largest educational robotics festivals, bringing together young innovators, researchers, and companies.
➞ Also note that ERW’s focus event, euRobotics, will take place on December 3-4 at TalTech in collaboration with Robotex.
European Robotics Forum (ERF) | Stavanger, Norway | March 23-26, 2026
Annual event for AI and robotics, European robotics and AI community, bringing together over 1,000 participants from industry, academia, and the public sector.
➞ Robotics for the blue economy and growth in space will be in the spotlight in 2026.
Warsaw Industry Automatica | Warsaw, Poland | May 12-14, 2026
Regional trade fair for automation and robotics.
➞ Previous edition attracted some 13,000 visitors, 13% from outside of Poland.
➞ Parallel conference: Automation & Robotics Summit
Automatica Munich | Munich, Germany | June 22-25, 2027
Global trade fair for automation and robotics.
➞ Expecting over 800 exhibitors, 40,000+ attendees, and more than 1,100 robots.
Promoters: Bio Innovation Institute in partnership with NATO’s DIANA
Focus: Societal resilience
Location: BII Copenhagen, Denmark / Online
Funding: €100,000 grant
Eligibility: Must be headquartered in a NATO country; tech must have Dual-Use potential within one of the nine NATO Emerging and Disruptive Technology areas
Next steps: Find out more
Promoters: Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and partners
Focus: Quantum software and hardware
Location: CDL-Toronto, Canada / Hybrid
Funding: No direct funding, but doesn’t take equity and helps raise funds
Perks: Training and mentorship from IBM Q and Xanadu
Eligibility: Global
Next Steps: For more information or to schedule an introduction meeting, email Quantum Stream Lead Jake Malliaros: jake.malliaros@creativedestructionlab.com
Promoters: Promoted by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago, Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), and partners; and now part of Alchemist Chicago
Focus: Quantum and enabling technologies
Location: Chicago, U.S.
Funding: $50K SAFE investment for Phase 2 participants
Eligibility: Startups must be an established U.S. legal entity at the time of entry, and one founder must commit to residing in Chicago during the programme
Next steps: Stay tuned for future cohorts; next Demo Day in May 2026
Promoters: Swiss ecosystem builder QAI Ventures
Focus: Quantum technologies, quantum-inspired solutions, and advanced computing
Location: Basel, Switzerland and Calgary, Canada
Target: Pre-seed to early Series A, usually with MVP and/or team
Funding: $200K via a convertible note; potential follow-on funding of up to $2M in equity
Perks: Access to quantum hardware, cloud compute, and simulation testbeds, with optional lab space and prototyping support
Apply: Next Swiss programme starts in January 2026; apply here
Next steps: Sign up for Investor Day in Zurich on September 30
Promoters: Renfe
Focus: ‘Operational Efficiency with Quantum Computing’ among VI Call’s challenges
Location: Madrid, Spain
Target: Pre-seed to early Series A, usually with MVP and/or team
Funding: €50,000 to develop a pilot, plus potential contract with Renfe worth up to €1 M
Perks: Coworking space, alumni network, and more
Apply: Deadline closed, but you can still present your project via e-mail: info.trenlab@renfe.es
European Defense Tech Hackathon – London | September 25-28, 2025
Promoters: EDTH
Format: 66-hour hackathon
Timing: Part of the first London Defence Tech Week
EUDIS Defence Hackathon Autumn | Multiple locations | October 17-19, 2025
Promoters: EUDIS
Format: Simultaneous hackathons across Europe
Local organizers in: Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Spain
Next step: Register here for info webinar on September 17
European Defense Tech Hackathon – Berlin | November 13-16, 2025
Promoters: EDTH
Format: 66-hour hackathon
Timing: Just before the Berlin Security Conference
European Defense Tech Hackathon – Munich | February 12-15, 2026
Promoters: EDTH
Format: 66-hour hackathon
Timing: Alongside the Munich Security Conference
London Defence Tech Hackathon | May 2-3, 2026
Promoters: Future Forces & Isembard
Format: ~48-hour intensive hackathon
Next step: Apply here
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