How do radical technologies become industrial reality?

​Teaser
If breakthrough technologies are so important for solving major challenges like industrial transformation and climate change, why do so few ever make it into real industrial production?

​This session explores that question through a real story: how a seven-person startup and a global steel company with 18,000 employees began working together to develop a completely new industrial process. It is a story about radical innovation, industrial risk, unexpected opportunities, and what it actually takes to move from a bold idea to something industry is willing to test, trust, and eventually adopt.

Why is this topic relevant?
Industrial transformation is essential for addressing climate change, improving resource efficiency, and modernizing energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals. But in these industries, the path from innovation to implementation is exceptionally difficult. Safety requirements, long investment cycles, established process routes, and high financial risk make it hard to test radically new technologies in real production environments.

​As a result, breakthrough technologies rarely move directly from prototype to large-scale adoption. They must be proven step by step, through practical testing, internal champions, and a clear demonstration of both technical and business value. Understanding how startups and industrial companies can work together to reduce risk and build trust is therefore key to enabling meaningful industrial transformation.

The session will take place on the FACTURA Planet at VENTURE SPRIND 2026, held at Futurium in Berlin. You will need a VENTURE SPRIND ticket to enter the venue and attend the session.
If you don’t have one yet but are an active investor, just drop us a line at [email protected] - there’s a good chance we can sort you out with a ticket. Availability is limited.