0
edition
0
cash prizes
0
raised by past finalists
Why apply?
EXCLUSIVE
Join exclusive events & programs designed to connect you with top investors, partners, and clients. Get tailored support and year-round access to our global investor network.
GLOBAL
RECOGNITION
Be recognized as a Deep Tech Pioneer, featured in reports & events, and showcased to industry leaders, investors and international media.
FUNDING WITHOUT
COMPROMISE
Secure €100K equity-free, meet 350+ leading VCs and CVCs at Investor Day, and share your fundraising news directly with our investor community.
TIMELINE
- September 15th, 2025 - Applications open
- September - November 2025 - Q&A sessions
- October 31st, 2025 - Early Applications Close
- January 5th, 2026 - Applications Close
- February 4th, 2026 - Deep Tech Pioneers Selected
- February 5th-6th, 2026 - Hello Tomorrow Japan Summit
- March 2026 - Finalists Announced
- June 11th-12th, 2026 - Hello Tomorrow Summit
September 15th, 2025
Applications Open
The 11th edition begins!
If you’re building a deep tech startup solving global challenges, now’s your chance to apply.
September – November 2025
Challenge Q&A Sessions
Have questions about the Challenge?
Join one of our online Ask Me Anything sessions and hear directly from the Hello Tomorrow team and past participants:
Missed the live sessions? Check out the replay of our Ask Me Anything session for startups from September 25th, 2025.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
October 31st, 2025
Early Applications Close
Apply before October 31st to get early feedback on your application — a unique chance to refine your submission, confirm your fit, and boost your chances of selection.
Early applicants can receive tailored insights before final evaluations in January.
January 5th, 2026
Applications Close
Our jury will hand-pick the most promising startups to join the Deep Tech Pioneers community, with exclusive access to:
- The Hello Tomorrow Summit (June 11–12, 2026, Amsterdam)
- Investor Day with 350+ VCs and CVCs (June 10, 2026)
- Year-round connections with investors, corporates & industry leaders
February 4th, 2026
Deep Tech Pioneers Selected
Startups chosen as Deep Tech Pioneers unlock access to Hello Tomorrow’s worldwide network and resources. From there, you can refine and complete your application for the chance to be selected as a finalist.
February 5th-6th, 2026
Hello Tomorrow Japan Summit
Are you based in Japan?
Participate in our Japan Challenge to compete with fellow startups in your local ecosystem, and meet potential partners and investors. Learn more about the prizes on the Hello Tomorrow Japan website.The finals for the Japan Challenge will take place on February 5th-6th, 2026, during the Hello Tomorrow Japan Summit, and the winner will be fast tracked as a finalist of the 11th edition Hello Tomorrow Challenge!
March 2026
Finalists Announced
Revealing the startups who will pitch on the Pioneers Stage at the Hello Tomorrow Summit in front of top investors, industry leaders, and international media.
June 11th-12th, 2026
Hello Tomorrow Summit (Amsterdam)
For the first time, the Hello Tomorrow Summit will take place in Amsterdam, bringing together thousands of the world’s most relevant deep tech leaders.
The Challenge Finals will be held here, with the finalist startups pitching to an expert jury and international audience.
Additionally, 70 Deep Tech Pioneers will get the chance to exhibit their solutions and connect with attending investors, corporates, and fellow founders.
Tracks
Explore the tracks
- All
- ADVANCED COMPUTING & CYBERSECURITY
- AEROSPACE
- AUTOMOTIVE, MARITIME, RAIL TRANSPORTATION & OPERATIONS
- CLIMATE TECH & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
- DIGITAL HEALTH & MEDICAL DEVICES
- ENERGY
- FOOD & AGRICULTURE
- INDUSTRIAL AI & ROBOTICS
- INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH & NEW MATERIALS
- MEDICAL BIOTECH
- RESOURCE EFFICIENCY & CIRCULAR SYSTEMS
- SEMICONDUCTORS & ADVANCED ELECTRONICS
- SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE
- AI HORIZONS
- EMERGING PIONEERS
ADVANCED COMPUTING & CYBERSECURITY
SUPPORTED BY
Shaping the next era of software, AI, cloud infrastructure, and data integrity in an increasingly intelligent and connected world.
Key technologies:
- AI & Machine Learning
- Data Processing & Storage
- Cybersecurity & Privacy
- Connectivity & Communication Software
- Quantum Computing
AEROSPACE
Driving greener aviation and enabling human life on other planets, aerospace innovation is accelerating at all altitudes.
Key technologies:
- Sustainable Propulsion & Aviation Decarbonisation
- Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
- Autonomy & Avionics
- UAVs & eVTOLs
AUTOMOTIVE, MARITIME, RAIL TRANSPORTATION & OPERATIONS
Accelerating the decarbonization and digital transformation of land, sea,
and rail transport.
Key technologies:
Automotive:
- Autonomous & Connected Vehicles
- Electrification & Green Mobility
Rail:
- Energy Efficiency & Electrification
- Rail Infrastructure Digitisation and Operations
Maritime:
- Autonomous & Remote-Controlled Vessels
- Decarbonisation of Transport & Propulsion
- Smart Ports & Logistics
- Digital Maritime Infrastructure
CLIMATE TECH & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Advancing nature-based and engineered solutions to safeguard ecosystems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build resilience against climate change.
Key technologies:
- Carbon Capture & Utilization
- Nature-Based Climate Solutions
- Environmental Remediation & Monitoring
- Climate Adaptation Systems
DIGITAL HEALTH & MEDICAL DEVICES
Pioneering the future of precision medicine through connected devices, AI-powered diagnostics, and patient-centric technologies.
Key technologies:
- Next-Gen Medical Devices
- Connected & Wearable Technologies
- Digital Therapeutics (DTx) & Applications
- Patient Digital Twins & Predictive Health
- AI & ML for Diagnosis & Treatment Optimization
ENERGY
Facilitating a low-carbon energy transition through breakthrough innovation across generation, storage, materials, and smart distribution.
Key technologies:
- Clean & Reliable Energy Generation
- Energy Storage
- Critical Materials Supply Chain
- Power Grid & Energy Management
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
SUPPORTED BY
Feeding the world sustainably: from soil health to food system resilience.
Key technologies:
- Precision Agriculture & Livestock Management
- Regenerative Farming & Smart Inputs
- Alternative Food & Feed Production
INDUSTRIAL AI & ROBOTICS
Empowering sustainable and intelligent manufacturing through
cutting-edge robotics and machine intelligence.
Key technologies:
- Green Factories & IIoT
- Human–Machine Symbiosis
- Advanced Robotics & Automation
- Precision Engineering & Additive Manufacturing
- Virtual & Data-Driven Systems
INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH & NEW MATERIALS
SUPPORTED BY
Redesigning materials and industrial systems through biotech, chemistry, and smart processes to enable a sustainable, circular, and high-performance future.
Key technologies:
- Cellular factories, cell-free manufacturing & derived products
- Treating waste with recycling, circular or novel biodegradation technologies
- Developments conveying smart properties in materials
- New bio-based, or circular, feedstocks and ingredients
- High-performance materials & coatings
MEDICAL BIOTECH & PHARMACEUTICALS
Transforming the future of medicine through breakthrough tools, platforms, and therapies that accelerate drug development, enhance diagnostics, and redefine treatment.
Key technologies:
- Lab-based solutions improving R&D processes for drug discovery and clinical trials
- Advanced diagnostic and monitoring solutions
- Next-generation therapeutics for preventive and therapeutic purposes
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY & CIRCULAR SYSTEMS
Pioneering sustainable resource solutions to transform how we use, reuse, and manage materials, water, and waste.
Key technologies:
- Advanced Recycling & Upcycling
- Circular Supply Chains
- Wastewater & Water Reuse
- Upcycling Waste Heat & Ambient Energy
- Resource Monitoring & Industrial Symbiosis
SEMICONDUCTORS & ADVANCED ELECTRONICS
SUPPORTED BY
Powering the physical layer of tomorrow’s digital world — from chips to photonics to quantum machines.
Key technologies:
- Semiconductor Technologies & Materials
- Energy-Efficient Computing Hardware
- Photonics & Optoelectronics
- Quantum Hardware
- Advanced Sensing & Embedded Systems
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURE
Facilitating a low-carbon energy transition through breakthrough innovation across generation, storage, materials, and smart distribution.
Key technologies:
- Zero-waste and low carbon construction
- Applied technologies for productivity
- Construction on-site safety
- Breakthrough materials driving supply chain efficiency
AI HORIZONS (TRANSVERSAL TRACK)
Harnessing the transformative power of AI across industries to drive smarter, faster, and more sustainable innovation.
Key technologies:
- AI-Driven Design, Simulation & Optimization
- Predictive Intelligence & Decision Support
- AI for Sustainability, Safety & Security
- Perception, Sensing & Human-AI Interaction
EMERGING PIONEERS (TRANSVERSAL TRACK)
Are you an early-stage founder at the idea or pre-seed stage?
The Emerging Pioneers Prize is a dedicated cross-track award designed to recognize and support startups that are just getting started.
It’s never too early to stand out!
To be rewarded amongst the best startups on the planet is a great pride for our team and partners. By shedding light on our technology and project, this award will enable us to broaden the ecosystem of scientists, industrials, investors we are creating around osmotic energy.
NICOLAS HEUZÉ , CO-FOUNDER & CEO OF SWEETCH ENERGY – 2023 GRAND WINNER
Nūmi, France
Producing human breast milk using cell culture to provide infants with ideal nutrition when breastfeeding is not an option.
tozero, Germany
Bringing lithium-ion battery waste “tozero” with their innovative recycling process
Sweetch Energy, France
Expanding the frontiers of renewable energy with osmotic power
Atlant 3D Nanosystems, Denmark
A revolutionary atomic layer 3D printing technology.
Agora Energy Technologies, Canada
A CO2 redox flow battery: grid scale battery technology sequestering CO2.
Dendra Systems (previously Biocarbon Engineering), UK
Mass reforestation using automated drones
Onward (Previously GTX Medical), Switzerland
Implant therapy to make paralyzed people walk again.
Global experts
Get hand-picked by the best
An international, interdisciplinary committee of scientists, industry specialists, successful entrepreneurs, and VCs selects the top startups in each industry track.
MATT JONES
SOPHIE PURDOM
AURIANNE LEGRIS
OLIVIER TOMAT
SHUO YANG
JEAN-FRANÇOIS BOBIER
ALI MORROW
DAVID DANA
Challenge eligibility
Am I eligible to apply?
We welcome startups that are:
- In the early-stage of development or the beginning of their commercialization phase (up to series A)
- Based on a new technology, a scientific discovery or a complex engineering process
- Addressing an industrial, societal or environmental unmet need or creating a new market
- Composed of a team of at least 2 people
- Not a subsidiary or spin-off of an existing company
OUR 11TH EDITION CHALLENGE PARTNERS
Premier Partner
Main Partner
Supporting Partners
Strategic Partner
Worldwide Partner
