With the launch of its 60 million euro fund, it invests U2V U2V focuses specifically on science-based deeptech startups. The fund is aimed at founders who are building scalable companies from research institutions and universities. The focus is on artificial intelligence, novel computing, industrial technology (including dual-use technologies), and cleantech. U2V plans to invest in up to 25 startups in the pre-seed and seed stages.
The fund aims to bridge the gap between research and industrial application. Research-based entrepreneurs should gain early access to capital, industry partners, and market feedback. In doing so, U2V intends to accelerate the transfer of technological innovations from Europe's technical universities and strengthen technological sovereignty.
Philipp Semmer, Co-Founding Partner at U2V, emphasizes:
“Europe is a leader in science, but global companies too rarely emerge from it. With U2V we want to change that: We help scientists become entrepreneurs – and connect research, capital and industry to build Europe’s next generation of pioneering deeptech companies.”
Bridge between universities and industry
U2V collaborates with leading European technical universities and research institutions – including Technische Universität München, ETH Zurich, RWTH Aachen, École Polytechnique Paris, the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Imperial College London, DTU Copenhagen and Politecnico di Milano.
Over 500 industry partners belong to the network, which gives young startups direct access to pilot projects and initial customers. In cooperation with university tech transfer centers and innovation teams of large companies, U2V supports founders with market entry and follow-on financing. This also creates direct access for Munich-based startups with a technology background to a Europe-wide network of capital, industry, and research.
Johannes Triebs, Co-Founding Partner at U2V explains:
"Our network gives founders something that many deeptech startups lack in their early stages: direct access to customers and real feedback from the market. Whether it's AI applications, quantum sensors, or carbon capture processes – we ensure that technology translates into real traction."
The founding team – Philipp Semmer, Michael Schmitt, and Johannes Triebs – brings experience from over 50 funded startups and more than ten successful exits. Previous portfolios include companies such as... Quantum Diamonds (quantum sensing), Greenlyte (carbon capture), Ncodin (photonic chips), Certivity (AI regulatory analysis), Twaice (Battery analytics) and LiveEO (satellite data analytics).
U2V is backed by several investors, including anchor investor Jungheinrich via Uplift Ventures, as well as family offices, serial entrepreneurs, and industry executives. The goal is to build Europe's leading platform for deeptech spin-offs and to translate university research into marketable industrial applications.
