Deeptech Labs is a VC fund and accelerator programme, founded in 2020 by ARM, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Ewan Kirk, Martlet Capital and the University of Cambridge. The accelerator supports deeptech entrepreneurs as they move from prototype and proof of concept to scalable products and services, and connects them to Deeptech Labs extensive network of deeptech investors.  

Deeptech Labs unveiled its first ever cohort of companies in June 2021 to investors with a combined $150 billion undermanagement, demonstrating the intense interest in the deeptech sector.  

Early-stage deeptech companies are different. Unlike other tech start-ups, they’re more likely to be founded by researchers or academics and they spend much longer in the pre-sales R&D phase. While UK and Europe have a global advantage in deeptech (50% of the world’s best universities, the highest number of cited research papers), there is a disparity when it comes to European investment in deeptech companies ($33 billion UK/EU investment compared to $144 billion US investment).  

Deeptech Labs supports its cohort companies through a specially-designed thirteen week accelerator programme, connecting founders with a global network of more than 50 world-leading deeptech entrepreneurs, technology experts and investors. While headquartered in Cambridge, the accelerator programme was designed to be delivered remotely, attracting early-stage deeptech companies from around the UK and Europe.  

Deeptech Labs invests in its cohort companies through its £50m investment fund. The fund is committed to investing in diverse teams, with Deeptech Labs cohort founders to date being 60% Black and Multi-ethnic and 40% Female – significantly higher than the UK VC industry average (1.7% Black and Multi-ethnic and 4% female.) 

The founders of six Deeptech Labs cohort companies which presented:

• Condense Reality uses computer vision and machine learning to live broadcast volumetric video into games engines. This allows partners in sport and entertainment to hold live concerts and sporting events inside any game, VR or AR application 

• Outfield Technologies is helping fruit growers worldwide be more productive, sustainable and profitable. Their machine learning systems and off-the shelf drones to analyse fruit orchards, improving management and crop yields 

• RoboK is building AI-based 3D computer vision algorithms optimised for low-power computing platforms for vehicles, cameras and machines. Their vision is to accelerate the development and deployment of embedded AI-based solutions, delivering enhanced safety 

• Salience Labs is developing a next generation computer chip for Artificial Intelligence applications. They use photonics (light) on a chip to gain a significant boost in performance over silicon chips 

Alumni companies 

• Autofill is building the most advanced tool for daily vehicle inspection reports, modernizing existing workflows through precise automation.  

• Circuit Mind is building an intelligent platform that enables engineers to design reliable, error-free, electronic circuit systems in minutes, by harnessing the power of AI, high performance computing and collaboration.  

Miles Kirby, CEO Deeptech Labs said: "We're excited to share our world leading deeptech companies that are pioneering cutting-edge technology in the metaverse, automated electronic circuit design, automated machine vision, photonics processing, lower-power AI processing and agritech. Deeptech Labs is playing an important role in the deeptech sector, catalysing diverse post-seed companies and helping them identify product-market fit earlier. Investors know that, thanks to our novel accelerator programme, our cohort companies have stronger, more resilient and focused go-to-market strategies and that’s why so many attend our Demo Days.”