Don’t Miss Our Events on the East and West Coast this Fall!
Join us for two exciting Deep Tech Forum events this fall, bringing together top innovators, investors, and industry leaders on both coasts of the U.S. Whether you’re interested in the latest in climate tech or exploring collaboration opportunities between CVCs and VCs for breakthrough innovations, our forums in Newark, NJ, and Silicon Valley, CA, have you covered.
• Date: September 24, 2024 • Location: Newark, NJ (In the New York Metro Area)
Dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of Climate Tech at our NYC forum. Hosted in collaboration with HAX/SOSV, one of the leading deep tech accelerators, this event is designed for startups, investors, corporate venture capitalists (CVCs), and government stakeholders who are passionate about sustainable technology and innovation.
What to Expect:
• Expert Panels and Keynotes: Learn from industry experts and thought leaders on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in climate tech • Startup Pitches and Demos: Discover the next big thing in climate innovation with live pitches and product demonstrations from emerging startups supported by HAX/SOSV. • Networking Opportunities: Engage with like-minded professionals, investors, and corporate partners who are driving the future of sustainable technology.
Why Attend?
• Gain insights into the latest climate tech innovations and investment trends. • Connect with key players in the deep tech and sustainability ecosystem. • Explore potential partnerships, investments, and collaborations.
• Date: October 15, 2024 • Location: Santa Clara, CA
Explore the power of collaboration between Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) and Venture Capital (VC) firms at our Silicon Valley forum. Located at the heart of tech innovation, this event will bring together some of the most influential CVCs, VCs, startups, and industry leaders to discuss strategic partnerships and collaborative models for driving deep tech innovation.
What to Expect:
• High-Impact Panel Discussions: Hear from top CVC and VC leaders about their collaboration strategies, investment focus areas, and success stories in deep tech. • Interactive Workshops: Participate in workshops designed to foster meaningful conversations and partnerships between investors and startups. • Pitch Sessions and Networking: Meet cutting-edge startups and engage with potential partners and investors who are shaping the future of technology.
Why Attend?
• Learn how CVCs and VCs can collaborate effectively to accelerate innovation. • Network with top-tier investors, corporate executives, and deep tech entrepreneurs. • Discover new opportunities for funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
Deep Tech Forum 2024 features three North American cities — Toronto (Canada); Pittsburgh (PA); and New York City (NYC)— known for their industrial backgrounds and emerging tech startup ecosystems beyond the SF/Bay Area hub. We’re now getting ready for the global Deep Tech Forum Kyoto, Japan on March 7th-8th!
Japanese corporations interested in collaborations with deep tech startups should pay closer attention to hubs where technologies clusters are thriving, beyond the usual ones in the West Coast/California, where their CVC offices are based.
Deep Tech Forum 2024: why do these three East Coast/Midwest hubs matter? And what did we learn during our Japanese delegation tour visiting Toronto, Pittsburgh and NYC?
See the volume of manufacturing resources shown on this map: in the Deep Tech/Manufacturing/Logistic segments, location matters!
Manufacturing: most of the US/Canada concentration is in the East Coast/Midwest/Great Lake areas, the region where DTF 2024 took place in January.
Open Innovation collaborations are possible when partners have strong resources, networks, and academic excellence aligned to diversity of talent that can understand potential frameworks for successful business alliances.
Monozukuri Ventures’s team in the US & Canada visits these hubs regularly to engage consistently with startup ecosystem partners – investors and industry professionals, in order to help nurture the Japanese manufacturing expertise in these segments.
2024 Topic is RAAI in Manufacturing — why investments in these regional hubs of deep tech startups matter?
R is for Robotics. Robotics startups in the manufacturing segment are leveraging advanced technologies such as AI /ML (machine learning), computer vision, and collaborative robotics to enhance efficiency, precision, and flexibility in manufacturing processes. The disruptions caused by global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wars and other political instabilities have increased the focus on supply chain resilience. Robotics startups are working on solutions to optimize and automate supply chain processes to mitigate risks and enhance adaptability.
A is for Automation. Current challenges in the manufacturing space require efficiency and less waste in terms of resources (time, human work, energy and materials). US & Canada face similar challenges as European countries and Japan when it comes to the shortage of labour and lack of smart processes that can save time and money for corporations. The main difference between North America and other developed countries is the continental scale and proximity to the largest industrial market — the US.
AI is for Artificial Intelligence: Data from Carta shows that investment into AI companies tends to be more geographically concentrated. Specific applications to manufacturing and hardware devices have been developed in such hubs.
New York and Pittsburgh: the only metro areas beyond San Francisco /Bay Area where shares of AI investment was larger than their share of investment overall. (Source: Carta)
Toronto: AI godfathers selected for the ‘Nobel Prize of Computing’ — Geoff Hinton (UofT), Yann LeCun(NYU) and Yoshua Bengio (University of Montreal) are professors with extensive work in the US & Canada. Financial Times article here.
Startups spinoffs from universities (CMU in Pittsburgh) and (UofT in Toronto) have been related to AI/ML. Open AI: one of the co-founders Geoffrey Hinton is a renowned computer scientist and a professor at the University of Toronto
City 1: Toronto (Canada)
Toronto Waterloo Corridor: Between the cities of Toronto and Waterloo, the region has emerged as a powerhouse in North America driving innovation in robotics, automation, and AI within the manufacturing sector, thanks to its existing automotive cluster, connecting the area to the Detroit area of the US.
University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo: globally recognized for contributions in R&D leading to new discoveries and applications into traditional industries using science-based solutions.
Diverse global talent pool contributes to the development of technologies with skilled professionals. The region attracts professionals from around the world with a diversity of backgrounds and mindsets, crucial factors for tackling complex challenges involving the commercialization of science-based solutions.
Innovation Hubs: The MaRS Discovery District in Toronto and the Communitech Hub in Waterloo serve as innovation hubs, providing state-of-the-art facilities, mentorship programs, and resources for startups and entrepreneurs in the robotics and AI space. These hubs act as catalysts for turning research into real-world applications.
Government Support and Investment: Canada recognized the strategic importance of the Toronto-Waterloo Region in the tech sector. Initiatives like the Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster and funding support from various programs further fuel research and development activities in the region. Funding and incentives for research and development in robotics and automation contribute to creating an environment conducive to innovation and technological advancements.
A sample of Toronto’s RAAI in 2024:
Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus: a hub for multidisciplinary research, bringing together academia and industry partners. The new center under final construction is where both UTEST (University of Toronto Early-Stage Technology) and the Vector Institute AI have offices, collectively a powerhouse at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology innovation.
Nestled within the University of Toronto, these organizations collaborate to advance AI research, nurture startups, and drive the development of transformative technologies. Together, they create an ecosystem that bridges academia and industry to propel Canada’s leadership in AI innovation.
MaRS Discovery District, located in the heart of Toronto, serves as a dynamic hub for innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. Known as the Urban Innovation Hub, MaRS brings together a diverse community of startups, researchers, investors, and industry partners to foster collaboration and drive meaningful advancements.
The hub is dedicated to accelerating the growth of ventures in the fields of deep tech, health, cleantech, finance, and more, making it a pivotal player in the Canadian innovation ecosystem.
University of Toronto (UofT): renowned institution with academic excellence, research, and innovation. It plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, driving advancements in various fields. World-class faculty and researchers leading groundbreaking studies.
Collaboration with industry partners to bridge academic research and business
Integration of technology, science, and business for comprehensive innovation.
Over 12 accelerators within different areas, including UTEST
Vector Institute AI: an independent leading AI research institution within UofT ecosystem with a focus on deep learning and machine learning. Collaboration with academia, industry, and government to advance AI research. Training the next generation of AI experts through educational programs. Startup collaborations help to drive breakthroughs in AI research, with applications spanning various domains, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
Keynote speaker Tom Park (BDC Deep Tech Fund) provided a great overview of how the Canadian ecosystem fits into the global landscape. Photos by Tugi Guenes.
‘Pittsburgh is home to two world-class research universities — Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Pittsburgh — as well as two other major research institutions and dozens of other post-secondary institutions. The ecosystem continues to be home to one of the greatest concentrations of research and tech talent in the U.S., and a community of purpose-driven builders, makers, and innovators has grown up around this nucleus.
The city gained fame as “Steel City” since the industrial revolution but suffered drastic economic decline and job losses during the 1980s. Now, it uses its heritage of industry, university expertise and a skilled workforce to build the footprint to become a hub of high tech, robotics, AI, health care and much more. (Source: Startup Genome)
CMUs Corporate Startup Lab(CSL): at the intersection of academia and industry, a catalyst for the transformation of cutting-edge technologies into successful commercial ventures through strategic business alliances. Established with the goal of bridging the gap between innovative research and real-world applications, CSL plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between the university’s research expertise and corporate partners. By nurturing a dynamic ecosystem that encourages the development of startup ventures, CSL serves as a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas to evolve into market-ready products and services.
The lab actively engages with industry leaders, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that bring together academic insights and corporate resources. Through strategic alliances, CSL not only helps startups gain access to essential resources but also enables corporations to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Robotics Factory (Alpha Lab Gear, part of Innovation Works umbrella) serves as a pioneering hub for advancing robotics and automation technologies, aiming to propel innovative ideas from conception to market success. This facility is committed to nurturing startups in robotics, providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and researchers to translate their concepts into commercially viable solutions.
Pittsburgh’s growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge technology, particularly in the field of robotics. The factory serves as a catalyst for innovation, promoting the development of robotic technologies that have the potential to reshape industries.
Pittsburgh Robotics Networkserves as a collaborative platform that brings together various stakeholders in the robotics ecosystem. This includes academic institutions, research labs, startups, established companies, and investors. The primary goal is to foster a vibrant and interconnected community that accelerates the development, commercialization, and adoption of robotic technologies. This approach not only accelerates the growth of emerging robotics companies but also strengthens the overall ecosystem for technological advancement in Pittsburgh.
SOSV: Deep Tech for Human and Planetary Health, it’s ranked #4 most successful accelerator hub by CBInsights, it’s also investing at early stage (pre-seed/seed) via its accelerators:
HAX is a well-known global leader hardtech accelerator with locations in NJ (next to NYC), and San Francisco. It’s part of SOSV, one of the top global investors that have consistently focused on hardtech/deep tech startups. Initially a hub out of Shenzhen, China, HAX has now moved its HQ to New Jersey, a region recognized for its industrial and logistics. This initiative aims to catalyze innovation in hardtech and create climate tech solutions by providing startups with the necessary resources and support to transform ideas into market-ready products.
IndieBio: our event co-host, under the same SOSV umbrella, alongside HAX is focused on biotech solutions. Companies can take advantage of its resources. Locations in NYC and San Francisco.
Japanese Corporations and local startups from NYC/NJ had the chance to pitch at our open mic session. Photos by Tugi Guenes.
NewLab is a collaborative deep tech workspace and innovation center located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, providing a multidisciplinary environment for entrepreneurs, engineers, and inventors, particularly those working on deep tech projects. A hub for startups, offering a unique ecosystem that fosters collaboration, innovation, and the development of groundbreaking technologies. Workspaces equipped with cutting-edge facilities, laboratories, prototyping resources and warehouses. This collaborative environment is designed to support deep tech startups in various fields, including robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
The strength of NewLab lies in its diverse community of members spanning different disciplines. Deep tech startups benefit from interactions with professionals from various industries, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas and expertise.
Strategic Location: Situated in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, NewLab benefits from its proximity to New York City’s vibrant tech and innovation scene. This strategic location provides startups with access to a rich network of investors, mentors, and potential collaborators.
Partsimony is a Supply Chain startup at NewLab NY, where CEO & Co-Founder Rich gave us a demo session. Photo by Tugi Guenes.
Urban X by mini: tech accelerator program at NewLab created by MINI, a brand under the BMW Group. Urban-X is focused on supporting and scaling startups that are working on innovative solutions to address urban challenges: living, sustainability, and mobility.
Urban X by mini: Tristan highlights some challenges for cities in terms of mobility and carbon reduction. Photo by Tugi Guenes.
January 2024 was definitely a busy time for hardtech startups — some at CES 2024 in Las Vegas and others we met at mHub and University of Chicago Deep Tech center — I also joined a Japanese delegation by JETRO! More to be shared later.
Attention all pioneering deep tech startups in Toronto, Pittsburgh and New York City! Seize your opportunity to dazzle on an international platform. The Deep Tech Forum warmly invites three innovative startups to join us in Kyoto, Japan—a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage—for a trailblazing event on March 7th and 8th, 2024. This extends beyond a mere showcase of innovation; it’s a golden chance to forge connections with investors and strategic partners in Japan, a nation where manufacturing beats at the very heart of its economy.
What’s in Store for You?
Prizes and Support
🥇 1st Prize: $1,000
🥈 2nd Prize: $500
🥉 3rd Prize: $300
These prizes are not just a token of appreciation but a substantial subsidy to cover your travel expenses to Kyoto.
How to Enroll?
Participating is as simple as 1, 2, 3:
Attend one of these three Deep Tech Forum Events: Toronto (Jan 15), Pittsburgh (Jan 17), or New York City (Jan 19). Sign up for the one nearest to you, choose a “startup” ticket and be a part of it.
Drop Your Business Card: Find the program enrollment box at the event and drop in your business card. It’s your ticket to potentially being one of the chosen startups. Don’t forget your business card with your company’s website on it!
Await the Vote: Applications will be shortlisted for audience votes. The winners will be chosen through a vote by the Japanese audience of Monozukuri Ventures’ eNewsletter. This adds an exciting layer of audience engagement to the selection process.
A Platform to Connect
The Kyoto event is not just a competition; it’s a hub for networking. Investors and strategic partners present at the event may request exclusive meetings with startups, offering a unique opportunity for one-on-one interactions. Plus, an open networking session is scheduled for March 8th, giving you even more chances to connect and collaborate.
As part of our commitment to fostering a vibrant community, we invite all deep tech startups to join our exclusive Slack channel: Monozukuri Community. This platform is a hub for you to connect, discuss, and stay updated with everything related to the Deep Tech Forum.
Why Kyoto?
Kyoto, known for its historical significance and cultural richness, offers the perfect backdrop for innovation and technology. Blending the old with the new, it symbolizes the journey of startups – transforming traditional ideas into futuristic solutions.
Who Can Participate?
This invitation extends to all deep tech startups! Whether you’re in the early stages or scaling up, we welcome you to be part of this dynamic event. It’s your chance to showcase your innovative solutions, gain international exposure, and forge meaningful connections.
Your Next Steps
Mark Your Calendar: March 7th and 8th, 2024, in Kyoto. Tentative Agenda.
Get Ready to Network: Prepare to engage with global investors and partners on our Slack Channel.
Seize this Opportunity!
This is more than just a competition; it’s a stepping stone to global recognition and valuable partnerships. Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of the Deep Tech Forum in Kyoto. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
Deep Tech Forum will convene the world’s leading deep tech startup ecosystem of founders, startups, investors and supporting communities to address the barriers to growth and success. Deep Tech Forum’s inaugural year, 2024, will feature “RAAI in Manufacturing,” where RAAI stands for Robotics, Automation and AI, and will be held in January in three North American cities – Toronto, Canada; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and New York City, New York – known for their industrial backgrounds and emerging tech startup ecosystems beyond the San Francisco Bay Area.
Monozukuri Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on hardware and deep tech startups, today announced the launch of the Deep Tech Forum, where the world’s leading deep tech startup ecosystem of founders, startups, investors and supporting communities will come together to address the barriers to growth and success.
The Deep Tech Forum’s inaugural year, 2024, will feature “RAAI in Manufacturing”, where RAAI stands for Robotics, Automation and AI, and will be held in January in three North American cities – Toronto, Canada; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and New York City, New York – known for their industrial backgrounds and emerging tech startup ecosystems beyond the San Francisco Bay Area.
To connect to the world’s leading manufacturing companies with deep tech startups, the Deep Tech Forum will take place in March 2024 in Kyoto, a Japanese city known for its historical heritage as well as global manufacturing companies such as Kyocera, Maxell, Murata, Nidec, Nintendo, Omron, Rohm, Screen and Shimadzu. “Japanese manufacturing companies do business globally, but they are still shy about working with startups, especially outside of Japan,” said Nobuhiro Seki, Chief Investment Officer and Founding Partner of Monozukuri Ventures. “At the Deep Tech Forum in Kyoto, deep tech entrepreneurs, especially in the RAAI industries, will find strategic partners with global presence in supply and value chains, as well as essential resources to grow their business”.
The Deep Tech Forum in Kyoto is scheduled to be held on March 7th and 8th, 2024.
The deep tech sector is one with a high affinity for “open innovation,” in which companies collaborate with large corporations and others. Unlike software-as-a-service (SaaS) startups that dominate the current startup landscape, deep tech companies need to collaborate with other companies to become part of the supply and value chain, even in the early stages of the startup. The startup ecosystem is more willing to collaborate with the open innovation arms of large corporations.
Dave Mawhinney, founding executive director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University and also a serial entrepreneur, explained the importance of the Deep Tech Forum. “Accelerators and VC support alone are not enough for deep tech startups, especially those spun out of universities. Active collaboration with the open innovation departments of large corporations is one of the keys to success.”
Overview of Deep Tech Forum North America 2024 January 15, 2024 in Toronto, ON: Deep Tech Forum Toronto 2024
Keynote: “Why Toronto? What’s missing for global manufacturing corporations to add value in the deep tech ecosystem? What do startups need to grow from the early stage to the next steps?” Speaker: Thomas Park, Lead Partner, BDC Deep Tech Venture Fund The BDC Deep Tech Venture Fund is Canada’s largest VC fund ($200 million) dedicated to deep tech. Registration: https://deep-tech-forum-toronto-2024.peatix.com/
Excursion (optional): Visit to University of Toronto and the innovation hub “MaRS”
January 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA: Deep Tech Forum Pittsburgh 2024
Keynote: “Pittsburgh: The world’s leading ecosystem for robotics startups” Speaker: Kevin Dowling, Managing Director of Robotics Factory, Innovation Works Robotics Factory is a startup accelerator who creates, accelerates and helps scale robotics startups in the Pittsburgh region. Guest speaker: Ilana Diamond, Managing Partner at 412 Venture Fund, Founder of Hardware Cup Pitch Competition and former Founding Managing Director of AlphaLab Gear Registration: https://deep-tech-forum-pittsburgh-2024.peatix.com/ Excursion (optional): Visit to Carnegie Mellon University & Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship (planned on January 16)
January 19, 2024 in New York, NY: Deep Tech Forum New York 2024
Keynote Speaker: Duncan Turner, General Partner SOSV & Managing Director HAX HAX is the first startup accelerator focused on hardtech. It was first founded in Shenzhen, China but SOSV, its parent, announced they selected Newark, NJ as its U.S. headquarters. Registration: https://deep-tech-forum-nyc-2024.peatix.com Excursion (optional): Visit to Newlab in Brooklyn Navy Yard. Newlab is one of the largest hardware incubators and Urban-X by BMW MINI.
Sponsorship opportunities are available to promote brands and showcase products. Contact details here.
About Monozukuri Ventures Monozukuri Ventures is a company that provides investment and hands-on support to seed stage startups and also works on open innovation education in the deep tech sector. The firm was formed in 2020 through the business merger of Kyoto-based Darma Tech Labs and New York-based FabFoundry.
The company began venture investing in the U.S. in 2017, leveraging its predecessor FabFoundry’s close relationships with the startup ecosystem in the deep-tech space, particularly on the East Coast of North America and in the Great Lakes region, and has invested in more than 30 companies over the past seven years, with a focus on startups that leverage advanced manufacturing technologies.
For more information about the announcement, contact here.
