Young Talent Coffee（China Connect Summit Side Event）
Join us for an afternoon coffee connecting the next generation of researchers in AI and robotics with investors, and industry leaders from China and Europe.
Held alongside China Connect Summit 2026, this curated gathering brings together selected researchers in the field of AI and robotics aspiring to launch their own company or join a startup with some of the most prominent early stage European investors (Vsquare, Episode 1, Ellipsis, Hummingbird) and Chinese scale-ups.
Over coffee, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, discover emerging research and technologies, and build meaningful relationships across the China-Europe AI and robotics community.
What to Expect
☕ Informal conversations over coffee
🤖 Exchanges on AI, robotics, physical AI, and deep tech
🎓 Connections with researchers and PhD candidates from leading European institutions
🌏 Direct interaction between young talent, Chinese technology companies, founders, and investors
💡 Opportunities for future hiring, advisory roles, research collaboration, and entrepreneurship
Who Should Join
This event is designed for:
PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers in the field of robotics and AI
Early-stage founders and aspiring entrepreneurs
Investors and technology companies interested in meeting young talent
Whether you are exploring your next research project, startup idea, career opportunity, or cross-border collaboration, this is a relaxed space to meet people shaping the future of intelligent machines.
📅 Date: Thursday, October 1
🕘 Time: 15:00 - 17:00
🎟️ Registration: Approval required
Venue will be sent after approval and closer to the event time. It is located in Zurich.
Space is intentionally limited to keep the conversations focused and meaningful.
About China Connect Summit
China Connect Summit brings together Chinese deep-tech innovators, European investors, family offices, institutional capital, and industry partners to explore new opportunities across AI and robotics.
The 2026 Summit will take place in Zurich on 1–2 October and will feature founder sessions, investor discussions, robotics demonstrations, and curated cross-border networking.
🌏 About the Host
Varen Partners is a specialized investment firm dedicated to navigating China's evolving investment landscape, investing directly in Chinese growth-stage companies and next-gen venture funds. With on-the-ground presence across Europe and China, Varen gives global institutions, family offices, and sophisticated investors a high-conviction gateway into China — while building the trust and cross-border dialogue needed to sustain it.
Ellipsis is a Zurich based VC backing visionary teams building defensible AI solutions for the world's hardest problems.
At ellipsis, we're not just investors – we're entrepreneurs and operators. Our team brings decades of experience in ML research, product development, and successful entrepreneurship. We focus on pre-seed and seed-stage startups where AI isn't just a feature, but the core of the product.