Your fast track to funding and corporate partners, worldwide.
The Hello Tomorrow Challenge puts the world's most promising deep tech startups in front of the investors and industry leaders who can help them grow. Selected startups become Deep Tech Pioneers, part of our network for life, and the best compete on the Hello Tomorrow Summit stage for the €200,000 Grand Prize.
Applications are closed.
Deadline
30 Nov 2026 · 23:59 CET
5,000 Deep Tech Pioneers and counting. Your turn to join.
Each year, thousands apply. Only the strongest become Pioneers.
4 steps to joining deep tech’s most active dealmaking network
From the application deadline to the selection of the Deep Tech Pioneers and the Grand Finals at the Hello Tomorrow Summit, every steps opens more doors.
Application deadline
Applying is free, and we take no equity for it. Every application is reviewed by a jury of scientists, investors, corporates, and industry experts, so your technology is assessed by experts in your field.
Deep Tech Pioneers announced
Around 850 startups earn the Deep Tech Pioneer label, a mark of credibility recognised across the deep tech ecosystem. They join the network for life, with curated introductions, corporate matchmaking, a seat at Investor Day, and discounted Summit tickets.
100 Deep Tech Startups to Watch revealed
Reveal day: the Deep Tech 100 to Watch go public, putting them on every investor’s and corporate’s radar. Each wins a place on the Hello Tomorrow Summit stage, pitching to the investors, corporates, and jury in the room.
Grand Finals at the Hello Tomorrow Summit
Crowned in June on the Hello Tomorrow Summit stage, Track Winners earn a title that stays on their pitch deck, plus tailored coaching and introductions to relevant investors, partners, and customers. The Grand Winner also takes a €200K investment from our sister fund, Deepbright Ventures.
Who should apply
Every application is reviewed by a jury of investors, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and researchers from your field, against the same four criteria.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION
Your product relies on a new technology, a scientific discovery, or a complex engineering process, not on a new way of selling existing technology.
IMPACT
Your solution tackles an industrial, societal, or environmental problem that current solutions don’t solve, or opens a market that doesn’t exist yet.
ECONOMICÂ VIABILITY
From pre-seed to Series D, you show a credible path to market: who will buy your solution, how it scales, and how it makes money. Already past Series D? Get in touch to see how we can support you.
TEAM
You apply as a team of at least two, ideally combining scientific and business expertise. Research and PhD teams can apply to the Spinout Breakthroughs track before incorporating.
What Pioneers get
For every Deep Tech Pioneer, for life. And more for those who go further.
Funding
Access a network of 1,500+ VCs and CVCs managing €100bn+ in assets, and build relationships with investors actively financing deep tech.
Connections
Invitations to closed-door matchmaking sessions and Startup Calls with corporates looking for technologies like yours, to land pilots and customers.
Visibility
Earn the Deep Tech Pioneer label, recognised across the ecosystem, plus visibility through our network, media partners, and the 100 Deep Tech Startups to Watch.
Investor Day
Exclusive to Deep Tech Pioneers: Meet 300+ VCs and CVCs through pre-arranged 1-to-1 meetings, to move your fundraising forward.
Hello Tomorrow Summit
Meet investors, corporate buyers, and partners from around the world in one place, with finalists pitching on the Pioneers Stage. Plus, Pioneers always get a better deal on tickets and booths.
The Grand Prize
Compete for the €200,000 equity prize from Deepbright Ventures to support your next stage of growth.
Whatever you’re building, there’s a track for it.
Select a track to see the technologies we are looking for. Not sure where you fit? Pick the closest track — our jury can reassign you.
Aerospace & New space
Aerospace & New space
From greener aviation to the new space economy, aerospace innovation is accelerating at all altitudes, from the air to orbit and beyond.
Technologies we are looking for
- Sustainable Propulsion & Aviation Decarbonisation
- Launch Systems, Satellites & In-Orbit Services
- Space Data, Earth Observation & Communications
- Autonomy, Avionics & Air Traffic Management
- UAVs, eVTOLs & Advanced Air Mobility
- Advanced Manufacturing & Materials for Aerospace
Agritech & Foodtech
Agritech & Foodtech
Feeding the world sustainably, from soil health and resilient crops to the future of food production.
Technologies we are looking for
- Precision Agriculture & Livestock Management
- Regenerative Farming, Biocontrol & Smart Inputs
- Crop Genetics & Climate-Resilient Agriculture
- Alternative Proteins & Novel Food Production
- Food Safety Sensing & Novel Processing Technologies
Climate Tech & Ressource Efficiency
Climate Tech & Ressource Efficiency
Cutting emissions, building climate resilience and transforming how we use, reuse and manage materials, water and waste.
Technologies we are looking for
- Carbon Capture, Removal & Utilisation
- Nature-Based Solutions & Environmental Monitoring
- Climate Adaptation & Resilience Systems
- Advanced Recycling, Upcycling & Circular Supply Chains
- Water Treatment & Reuse
- Environmental Sensing, Remote Sensing & Monitoring Technologies
Digital Health & Medtech
Digital Health & Medtech
Pioneering precision and preventive medicine through connected devices, AI-powered diagnostics and patient-centric technologies.
Technologies we are looking for
- Next-Gen Medical Devices & Surgical Technologies
- Connected, Wearable & Point-of-Care Technologies
- Digital Therapeutics (DTx) & Neurotechnology
- Patient Digital Twins & Predictive Health
- AI & ML for Diagnosis & Treatment Optimisation
Future Of Automotive Maritime
Future Of Automotive Maritime
Accelerating the decarbonisation and digital transformation of land, sea, and rail transport.
Technologies we are looking for
Automotive:
- Autonomous & Connected Vehicles
- Electrification, Batteries & Green Mobility
Rail:
- Energy Efficiency & Electrification
- Rail Sensing, Autonomy & Infrastructure Monitoring Technologies
Maritime:
- Autonomous & Remote-Controlled Vessels
- Decarbonisation of Propulsion & Alternative Fuels
- Smart Ports, Underwater Robotics & Ocean Sensing
Industrial AI & Novel Robotics
Industrial AI & Novel Robotics
Empowering intelligent, resilient and sustainable industry through advanced robotics, embodied AI and machine intelligence.
Technologies we are looking for
- Advanced Robotics, Embodied AI & Autonomous Systems
- Human–Machine Collaboration
- Industrial AI, Digital Twins & Data-Driven Operations
- Precision Engineering & Additive Manufacturing
- Novel Actuators, Sensors & Materials for Robotics
Industrial Biotech
Industrial Biotech
Harnessing biology as a manufacturing platform to produce sustainable ingredients, materials and chemicals at scale.
Technologies we are looking for
- Cell Factories, Strain Engineering & Precision Fermentation
- Cell-Free & Enzymatic Manufacturing
- Bio-Based Feedstocks & Ingredients
- Biodegradation, Bioremediation & Waste Valorisation
- Bioprocess Scale-Up & Biomanufacturing Tools
Medical Biotech & Pharma Innovation
Medical Biotech & Pharma Innovation
Breakthrough tools, platforms and therapies that accelerate drug discovery, sharpen diagnostics and redefine treatment.
Technologies we are looking for
- AI & Lab-Based Platforms for Drug Discovery & Clinical Trials
- Advanced Diagnostics & Biomarker Discovery
- Next-Generation Therapeutics (cell & gene therapy, RNA, biologics)
- Drug Delivery & Manufacturing Innovation
- Preventive Medicine & Vaccines
New Materials & Green Chemistry
New Materials & Green Chemistry
Redesigning the materials and chemical processes that underpin industry to make them circular, low-carbon and high-performance.
Technologies we are looking for
- High-Performance Materials & Coatings
- Smart & Functional Materials
- Sustainable Polymers & Alternatives to Plastics
- Green Chemistry & Low-Carbon Chemical Processes
- Chemical Recycling & Circular Feedstocks
- AI-Driven Materials Discovery & Autonomous Labs
Next Gen Computing & Cybersecurity
Next Gen Computing & Cybersecurity
Shaping the software, AI and computing foundations of an intelligent, connected world and keeping them secure and trustworthy.
Technologies we are looking for
- AI & Machine Learning (foundation models, agentic AI, physics-based AI)
- Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Integrity
- Quantum & Post-Quantum Computing Software
- Novel Computing Paradigms
- Next-Gen Networks & Communication Technologies
Novel Energy
Novel Energy
Enabling a low-carbon, secure and affordable energy system through breakthroughs in generation, storage, materials and grids.
Technologies we are looking for
- Clean & Reliable Energy Generation (next-gen solar, geothermal, nuclear, fusion)
- Energy Storage & Long-Duration Storage
- Hydrogen & Alternative Energy Carriers
- Critical Materials Supply Chain
- Power Grid, Flexibility & Energy Management
Semiconductors & Advanced Electronics
Semiconductors & Advanced Electronics
Powering the physical layer of tomorrow’s digital world — from chips to photonics to quantum machines.
Technologies we are looking for
- Semiconductor Technologies & Materials
- Energy-Efficient Computing Hardware
- Photonics & Optoelectronics
- Quantum Hardware
- Advanced Sensing & Embedded Systems
Spinout Breakthroughs
Spinout Breakthroughs
Are you an early-stage founder at the idea or pre-seed stage? The Spinout Breakthroughs Prize is a dedicated cross-track award designed to recognize and support startups that are just getting started.
Technologies we are looking for
- Breakthroughs from any deep tech field, from quantum and AI to biotech, energy, and advanced materials
- Technologies born from a scientific discovery, a patent, or years of lab research
- Early prototypes and proofs of concept with a clear industrial or societal application
- Research that’s ready to move from the lab to a first product
Meet the 2026 cohort
950 startups from around the world made the cut in the 11th Hello Tomorrow Challenge. Here’s who they are.
950Â Deep Tech Pioneers selected
35% University spinouts
57% Startups with women among founders or C-level position
<4.5 years Average age of the startups
Industry leaders backing the next wave of frontier tech
Frequently asked questions
We’ve got some of the answers.
What does applying cost, in money or equity?
Not a cent, not a share. Applying costs nothing, and Hello Tomorrow takes no stake in any startup that applies. The only equity on the table is the Grand Prize: a €200K investment from our sister fund, Deepbright Ventures, on the terms set out in the Terms & Conditions.
What do I need to apply, and how long does it take?
All you need is your pitch deck and about 90 minutes to complete the online application form, which covers your technology, your team, your market and your stage of development.
Tip: write for a smart non-specialist. The jury knows the field, but clarity always wins.
Is my application confidential?
Your application is only seen by the Hello Tomorrow team and the jury members reviewing your track, and partners looking for startups to work with or invest in. That’s also how your application can lead to opportunities, now and later.
Pending patent or sensitive IP? Get legal advice before sharing details..
Who reviews my application, and on what criteria?
Experts in your field. Each application is assessed by a jury of scientists, investors, corporates, and researchers in your area. They score four things:
- Technological innovation: is your product built on a new technology, a scientific discovery, or a complex engineering process?
- Impact: could it make a substantial, long-term difference to business or society?
- Economic viability: do you have clear development plans and a sustainable business model?
- Team: do you have the leadership to take it all the way?
Do I need to be based in a specific country or region?
No. If your science is world-class, your postcode doesn’t matter. The Challenge is open to deep tech startups everywhere, and every application gets the same shot at becoming a Pioneer or a finalist.
Based in Japan or Türkiye? You get a bonus round. Tick your country on the application form and you’re automatically entered into your Local Challenge too, with a chance to win a trip to the Summit in Amsterdam.
Does it all end with the Hello Tomorrow Summit?
Not at all. Once a Pioneer, always a Pioneer. You are always welcome to join our Investor Day, and we will keep your application on file and come back to you when a corporate partner is looking for a technology like yours, whether that’s next month or in five years.
Next year’s Pioneers are applying now. Join them.
Applications close on 30 November 2026. Applying is free, and being selected as a Deep Tech Pioneer takes no equity. It could change where your startup goes next.