THURSDAY GATHERING #54 Around Deep Tech
TO REGISTER GO TO: venturecafeberlin.gatherus.app
As part of Deep Tech Week, Thursday Gathering by Venture Café Berlin becomes a convergence point for breakthrough ideas and the people shaping the future of technology. This special edition brings together scientists, founders, engineers, investors, and industry leaders working at the forefront of deep tech — from AI and quantum computing to climate tech, biotech, and advanced materials.
Designed as an open platform for exchange and collaboration, the evening blends expert talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions with informal networking, creating space for both knowledge-sharing and real connection. It’s where research meets entrepreneurship — and where early-stage ideas evolve into scalable, real-world impact.
With a strong focus on cross-disciplinary dialogue and application, this edition highlights how cutting-edge innovation can move beyond the lab and into solutions that address global challenges.
🧭 Sessions & Activities
1. Claim Your Spot in the Future: DeepTech Scaling Session
🕔 17:15 – 18:45
Host: Inspiralia
👉 Apply to pitch: https://form.jotform.com/261113920890352
A high-impact pitch competition for ambitious DeepTech startups ready to scale through European funding. Selected founders present breakthrough technologies to a jury of funding and innovation experts, with a focus on fit for the EIC Accelerator.
What’s at stake:
🏆 €15K EIC Accelerator support package (application, pitch coaching, video, admin)
🥈 50% discount on the same support
A launchpad for startups aiming to secure up to €2.5M in non-dilutive funding.
We Create Future: Startup Mentor Stage
🕔 17:30 – 18:30
This is not a panel. It is a founder support stage.
Pitch your circular economy idea in 60 seconds.
Name the challenge you can't crack.
Receive a real answer from mentors who have built circular systems themselves.
📩 Apply now: https://www.worldcleanup.org/mentor-stage
⏰ Deadline: May 16, 2026
Speakers:
Holger Holland – President & Co-Founder, Berlin College of Business and Technology
DANIELA FELDER – Co-Founder, FELDER FELDER INC & FUTURE FASHION CONCEPTS
Mali M Baum – Founder & Startup Investor, WLOUNGE
The Startup Opportunity Around FINOS AI Governance Framework
🕖 19:00 – 19:20
Speaker: Luca Borella — AI Strategic Initiative Program Manager, FINOS
In this session, Luca Borella explores how the FINOS AI Governance Framework (AIGF) is evolving into an open ecosystem for building secure, compliant, production-ready AI systems. The talk covers AI governance, agentic AI, MCP/A2A, and how orchestration platforms can embed policy and controls directly into business workflows.
🎟️ Free & open to all
Full agenda will be announced at venturecafeberlin.org