Incubating Breakthroughs: Deep-tech, Universities and the Path to Scale

Turning research into scalable ventures

Breakthrough science doesn’t turn into impact overnight. Deep-tech ventures face unique challenges: long R&D cycles, technology and scale-up risk, regulatory hurdles, and high capital intensity that make the classic “lean startup” approach fall short. At the same time, universities are becoming key engines for innovation, nurturing early-stage ventures that bridge research and entrepreneurship. ​​

This session brings together founders, researchers, and ecosystem builders to explore what it really takes to move from proof to market. We’ll unpack how universities, incubators, and investors are facing the big tech leap: where science meets business, and where incubation means not just mentorship, but access to labs, IP, and manufacturing know-how.

Date & Location

Wednesday, November 26th, 19:00 – 21:00

505 Dongchangzhi Road, Hongkou

上海市虹口区东长治路505号

2F, Central Meeting Room

二楼中央会议室

Context

This event is part of a startup-focused series at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration. It will feature 5 startup pitches and a keynote speech by Claudio Feijoo, Full Professor at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Jean Monnet Chair on Technology Diplomacy and Digital Sovereignty, and Founder of Xiji Incubator in Shanghai. 

With over two decades of experience leading academic and startup initiatives between Europe and Asia, he will share key insights on bridging research and commercialization. His speech will spark discussion on how universities can back the next generation of startups, which are the ones driving technological breakthroughs and shaping the future of industry. 

Structure

18:30 – 19:00
Registration

19:00 – 19:10
Opening Remarks
Brief welcome by organizers and intro to the event’s purpose.

19:10 – 19:40
Keynote Speech

Claudio Feijoo

Full Professor and Jean Monnet Chair on Technology Diplomacy and Digital Sovereignty at UPM; Founder of Xiji Incubator

“The Deep-Tech Playbook: Turning Breakthrough Science into Scalable Ventures”

Deep-tech ventures are not just “start-ups with harder science”: they face distinct dynamics—long R&D cycles, technology and scale-up risk, regulatory and safety hurdles, capital intensity, and the need for specialized talent and infrastructure—that make conventional lean-startup playbooks insufficient. This session examines what sets them apart (IP-driven roadmaps, TRL inflection points, validation in labs/pilots rather than slide decks, and manufacturing/industrialization as a core capability) and what ecosystems can do to reframe“product–market fit” as “proof–market–manufacture fit,” accelerating sensible commercialization of breakthrough science.

About the speaker:
Claudio Feijóo holds an MSc and PhD in Telecommunication Engineering and an MSc in Quantitative Economics. He is full professor at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) where he is the holder of a Jean Monnet Chair on technology diplomacy and digital sovereignty. He has also led AI4Gov, an EU project on AI for public services (EU Digital Skills Award, 2023) and is co-leading its continuation, AI4Gov-X, extending its impact from AI into data spaces and the digital transformation of the public sector. At academia, he teaches on geopolitics of technology, strategic management, open innovation and entrepreneurship and pursues research on the future socio-economic impact of emerging technologies. From 2014 to 2020, his key responsibility was to reach agreements for cooperation and launch joint research and innovation projects with the best technology universities in Asia while living in Shanghai. He also founded Xiji Incubator, the first incubator for Spanish-related entrepreneurs in China (El Mundo, Universities International Award, 2020). 

From 2020 to 2025, he was the Director for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UPM, leading programs on education, launch and acceleration of tech-based startups and spin-offs. Claudio has also worked on assignments on five continents for main international institutions. His employment record includes spells at the European Commission (mobile content and applications, universal service) and the Spanish Ministry of Industry (rural broadband deployment, information society strategy). He is member of Spain’s expert groups on tech transfer and has been / is independent member of the investment committee of the main deep-tech public funds in Spain (ICO NextTech and SETT). He also has a 20+ years’ background as founder and mentor of startups and is experienced in managing the implementation of innovative projects. He regularly lectures at international seminars and for postgraduate courses. His two latest books address the role of technology innovations within international geo-strategy looking into the role of China (“El gran sueño de China”, KnowSquare Award, 2023) and a sociological approach to life in modern China (“La ciudad antes del mar”, Tecnos, 2025).

19:40 – 20:10
Startup Pitches
Selected startups (5min each).

20:10 – 21:00
Closing & Networking
Key takeaways and informal exchange among speakers, startups, and attendees.

Target Audience

This event is aimed at:

• Deep-tech founders and researchers transitioning from lab to market.
• University-incubated founders & startup teams.
• Investors and venture capitalists focused on deeptech + early-stage and pre-seed investors interested in university startups and spin-off ventures.
• Innovation managers and tech-transfer professionals from universities, R&D centers, and corporate labs.
• Policy makers and ecosystem builders shaping innovation and industrial strategies.
• Accelerator and incubator leaders developing programs tailored for deep-tech and/or seed-stage ventures.

About the Organizers

Xiji Incubator

Xiji Incubator is the pioneering Shanghai-based startup incubator bridging Spain, LatAm, and China through global venture programs. As a part of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and backed by international partners, Xiji supports early-stage founders with deep immersion, strategic mentorship, and access to cross-border ecosystems.

Contact

xiji.incubator@upm.es | 上海市杨浦区四平路1239号 同济大学运筹楼405室 | www.xijiincubator.com

D.Transformer

D.Transformer is a globally-oriented incubator at the intersection of emerging technology, creativity, and business innovation. Launched in 2023, it operates alongside Design Innovation Institute Shanghai and is recognized as a city-level tech incubator in the heart of Shanghai. 

With a focus on AI-driven innovation, climate tech, wellness tech, and smart manufacturing, D.Transformer drives breakthrough development through joint accelerators with global platforms such as NVIDIA Inception, UrbanLab and Kickstarter, 20+ corporate R&D labs, emerging talent initiatives, and over 365 events annually. Together with DIIS, D.Transformer is building the urban innovation infrastructure for the AI era.

Contact

info@diis.org.cn | 上海市虹口区东长治路505号 | diis.org.cn

Special Partners

S-Tron

S-Tron is one of Shanghai’s most active innovation platforms connecting founders, investors, and corporates through curated events and acceleration programs. Building on the legacy of Slush China, S-Tron fosters collaboration across the tech and startup ecosystem with a focus on entrepreneurship, creativity, and global partnerships.

Startup Grind Shanghai

Startup Grind Shanghai is part of the world’s largest community of entrepreneurs. Through monthly fireside chats, panels, and networking events, it connects founders, investors, and ecosystem builders to share lessons, inspire growth, and strengthen Shanghai’s role as a global innovation hub.

Global Shapers Community Shanghai II

The Global Shapers Community Shanghai II Hub is an initiative of the World Economic Forum, bringing together young leaders committed to driving positive impact in their city and beyond. The hub focuses on sustainability, innovation, and cross-cultural dialogue, fostering collaboration between local and international changemakers.