This year, the TD Shepherd team also had the opportunity to attend the HighTechXL Xlday24 event at the Conference Center High Tech Campus Eindhoven.
This event brings together cutting-edge startups, industry leaders, and venture capitalists to foster collaboration and explore groundbreaking advancements in deep tech to tackle global societal challenges.
Robin, Partnership Manager at HighTechXL, gave the audience insights into the venture-building journey, ecosystem partners, last year’s highlights, and what to look forward to in the coming months.
The conversation between John Bell, CEO at HighTechXL, and Guus Frericks, CEO at DeepTechXL, sparked people’s interest in the subject, followed by Hilde de Vocht, who took the stage to celebrate 25 years of High Tech Campus Eindhoven.
Impressed by the quality of the pitches and surprised by several solid startups, scale-ups, and alumni:
• VitalWear: Eric Thelen
• Inner: Efrat Avnet Steinberg
• Sandgrain: Rene Claessen
• Senergetics : Frank Jacobs
• Tomoscono: Gert Schoonenberg
• Avoxt: Pascal van Bakel
Professor Earl Goetheer’s held a passionate keynote on energy transition and underscored the vital role of technology and collaboration in achieving sustainable solutions.
The first panel put young talents in the spotlight: Mihai Mihut, Analyst at DeepTechXL; Anna van den Boom, Innovation Manager at InPhocal; and Miriam Domingos Antonissen, Marketing and Communication Assistant at Senergetics. Moderated by Joris Jansens, Technology Scout & Venture Support Manager at HighTechXL, the panel explored the challenges and opportunities for young professionals in the deep-tech startup ecosystem. The challenges young talent face today when entering a fast-growing environment and how experienced professionals can help them challenge themselves and grow are just some topics discussed. As Mihai stated: “Give us something that matters, and we will live up to it.”
The second panel, moderated by Hessel Mittelmeijer, Investment Manager & Sustainability Officer at DeepTechXL, investigated the challenges of creating, building, and investing in energy and material transition together with Beatrix Bos, Project manager & impact creator at Carbyon, Jeroen Glansdorp, Co-Founder at Veridis and Teun Brand, Co-Founder at Catalyzer Technologies. This discussion provided valuable insights into the investment landscape for sustainable technologies.
HighTechXL and DeepTechXL foster innovation and support the next generation of deep-tech leaders to tackle global societal challenges.
The TD Shepherd team is happy to congratulate the Qualinx B.V. team on successfully raising €20 million from Dutch investors. TD Shepherd has provided strategic support to Qualinx over the years (starting in 2018), witnessing each step of their journey; their growth and success, makes us truly proud of their outstanding achievements.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about surviving the Valley of Death in deep tech, it’s this: don’t go it alone. This stage is all about leveraging relationships, and corporate partnerships can be your most valuable lifeline. The key is to think beyond customers.
The so-called “Valley of Death” in deep tech isn’t just about running out of cash—it’s about navigating a period where expectations clash with reality. Investors want to see traction, but your tech isn’t market-ready. Customers are intrigued, but they’re not ready to commit. And your R&D costs? They’re still burning through cash like it’s a bonfire.