Good morning {{first_name}},
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.
DEEP TECH OPEN | ROBOTICS
5 Top Events for Robotics
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.
DEEP TECH OPEN | QUANTUM
5 Top Accelerators for Quantum Startups
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
DEEP TECH OPEN | DEFENCE
5 Upcoming Hackathons for Defence Tech
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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