As deep tech ventures increasingly face pressure to demonstrate technical validation alongside commercial potential, this year’s NORDEEP Summit is putting live demonstrations at the center of the event.
Taking place on 16–17 September at Dipoli in Espoo, the fifth edition of NORDEEP – Nordic Deep Tech Business Summit will introduce two dedicated formats designed to give founders the opportunity to present working technologies directly to investors, industrial partners, researchers, and policymakers: the Discovery Zone exhibition and the Global Deep Tech Showcase.
Rather than relying solely on presentation decks, the event encourages startups to demonstrate functional hardware, live software, simulations, and scientific breakthroughs in person.
Discovery Zone designed for hands-on demonstrations
The Discovery Zone will serve as the summit’s exhibition area, giving startups space to present technologies that benefit from live interaction.
Standard exhibition spaces (2 × 2 metres) are intended for software demonstrations, tabletop devices, simulations, and other interactive systems. Each booth includes electricity, Wi-Fi, a cocktail table, and two startup passes for participating teams.
For companies developing larger physical technologies—including autonomous drones, industrial robotics, or other heavy hardware—NORDEEP will also offer customized exhibition layouts to accommodate equipment that cannot fit within a standard booth configuration.
The format aims to provide visitors with direct access to working products and technologies rather than concept-stage presentations.
Eight showcase tracks for deep tech founders
Alongside the exhibition, NORDEEP will host the Global Deep Tech Showcase, giving selected startups the opportunity to present on the main stage in front of an audience expected to include more than 1,500 founders, investors, corporates, researchers, and ecosystem stakeholders.
Applicants can choose from eight technology-focused tracks covering sectors such as quantum computing, robotics, life sciences, dual-use technologies, and other deep tech domains, allowing ventures to present before audiences most relevant to their field.
Presentations will follow the summit’s 3+2 Performance Discipline, a structured format supported by the SiRA™ assessment framework.
Each selected company will receive:
- Three minutes to demonstrate working technology through live software, hardware, simulations, or other technical proof.
- Two minutes of questions from a specialist jury consisting of deep tech investors, academic experts, and industrial buyers.
- A requirement to conclude with one clearly defined commercial or investment objective, helping connect demonstrations with concrete partnership opportunities.
Applications for the Global Deep Tech Showcase remain open until 7 September 2026 at 14:00 EEST.
Startups interested in exhibiting can learn more about the Discovery Zone, while founders wishing to present on stage can submit applications through the Global Deep Tech Showcase.
NORDEEP 2026 takes place on 16–17 September at Dipoli, Espoo, bringing together deep tech startups, investors, researchers, corporations, and public sector leaders from across the Nordic and international innovation ecosystem.
Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/nordeep-2026-the-discovery-zone-global-deep-tech-showcase/
