An innovation-rich hub on the French Riviera recently became the center for deep-tech startups across Europe. In a three-day pitch marathon hosted by atTRACTION: Connecting Deep-Tech Innovation Ecosystems, seven ambitious startups from Lithuania, Poland, and Spain took to the stage at FONDATION SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS. This wasn’t just any networking event: it was an ecosystem networking in action, a space where innovation, investment, and mentorship collided.
The event, held in collaboration with the Sophia Business Angels Network, gave these early-stage companies an invaluable opportunity to showcase cutting-edge tech in fields like AI, quantum computing, biotech, and advanced materials. Sophia-Antipolis’s seasoned network of investors and mentors gathered to witness the pitches, offering the kind of hands-on coaching and feedback that could reshape a company’s future. The results? Accolades were awarded across multiple categories: Cyberbone and Chitomed stood out for Best Improvement, TechNovator clinched Best Team, and BROSWARM and DATLIGHT earned Best Presentation. The spotlight on investability brought in Power UP, EFM @engineers4medicine, and BROSWARM as top picks.
But beyond the pitches, the event fostered connections with industry heavyweights from Poznan Science and Technology Park, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, Málaga TechPark, and more. In a space where innovation thrives on collaboration, deep-tech founders discovered a support network extending far beyond borders. Events like these are critical for deep-tech’s growth, creating a “supernetwork” where ideas, resources, and potential partnerships flourish. It’s a small step for startups but a giant leap for Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem — and a signal that big ideas find a home in unexpected places.
