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Deeptech

& AI

Backing founders who tackle the world’s biggest challenges is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity.

From climate change to healthcare and financial inclusion, entrepreneurs are developing groundbreaking solutions that drive meaningful change.

Investors who support these visionaries early on not only fuel innovation but also position themselves at the forefront of industries poised for massive impact and returns.

Deeptech funding

The portion of all venture capital that went to female-founded deeptech startups in 2024

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33%

The proportion of founders with a scientific background who raised the fifty biggest venture capital rounds in 2024

81%

Deeptech founders

Synthetic biology and drug development are the most frequently funded deeptech areas in female-led companies

Deeptech technologies with the highest number of investment rounds

Europe, 2024
 

Auto.
Mobility

gender-agnostic

Drug
Development

Gen
AI

Photonics tech

Drug
Dev.

Synthetic
Biology

Carbon Capture

Generative AI

Carbon
Capture

Auto.
Mobility

Fermentation

Hydrogen

Quantum

Synthetic
Biology

Data source: Dealroom

female-founded

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Investors anticipate AI and quantum computing to get most venture capital this year

What emerging technologies do you believe will attract the most venture capital investment over the next 12 months? 

VC and angel investors

Artificial intelligence

Quantum computing

Advanced robotics

Nanotechnology

Internet of Things

Blockchain

Augmented Reality

3D printing

Source: Female Innovation Index Survey 2025

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100%

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34%

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10%

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21%

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19%

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30%

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18%

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29%

angel investors

VC investors

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71%

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68%

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44%

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40%

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39%

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13%

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13%

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10%

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Investment in health, energy, robotics and food is on the rise for female-founded deeptech startups

Venture capital raised (€M) by female-founded companies across key deeptech sectors

Europe 
 

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1990

4320

2940

2270

2710

450

570

610

460

630

2020
 

2021
 

2022
 

2023
 

2024
 

Data source: Dealroom

'Our innovations aim to solve previously unsolvable problems and enhance existing vaccines to make them more effective and easier to deploy—these two goals are central to our mission. We are proud to contribute to these advancements in public health.'

Ariane Cruz Gomes
Baseimmune, United Kingdom
Raised ​
£9m in February
Base Immune at Imperial College London 11th October 2021  © Brendan Foster Photography-340

The vast majority of female-founded companies leverage AI in their business

Do you currently leverage AI for your company? 

79%

of early-stage female-founded startups use AI in their business

Source: Female Innovation Index Survey 2025

75%

of growth-stage female-founded startups use AI in their business

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Female founders leverage AI primarily for product innovation and content creation

How do you currently use AI? 

female founders

Product innovation

Content creation

Marketing

Market research

Predictive analytics

Customer support

Sales generation

Legal / Compliance

Recruitment

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45%

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44%

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32%

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26%

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20%

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17%

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18%

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13%

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10%

early

growth

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42%

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41%

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36%

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23%

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19%

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18%

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20%

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8%

Add a Title

8%

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Source: Female Innovation Index Survey 2025

'In the coming years, AI in healthcare, science, and biotech will revolutionise human well-being - curing diseases faster, personalising treatments, and unlocking scientific breakthroughs. It’s not just innovation; it’s a leap toward longer, healthier lives for millions worldwide.'

Adrian Locher
General Partner
Meantrix
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AI and GenAI applications dominate areas of innovation within AI for female founders

The areas of AI innovation by female-founded companies by the number of investment rounds

Europe, 2024
 

Data source: Dealroom

GenAI
Applications

Model
Makers

AI
Applications

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Over the past five years the investment into female-founded companies building AI applications has trippled
 

Venture capital raised (€M) by female-founded companies across key deeptech sectors

Europe 
 

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290

590

1180

1640

3730

94

116

204

294

295

2020
 

2021
 

2022
 

2023
 

2024
 

Data source: Dealroom

Coming up

By sector

What does the funding landscape look like across different sectors of innovation for female entrepreneurs in Europe?

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Synthetic biology, generative AI, and drug development are the most funded deeptech areas in female-led companies

Deeptech technologies with the most venture capital raised

Europe, 2024
 

Data source: Dealroom

gender-agnostic

Launch
Vehicles

Drug
Development

Generative
AI

Synthetic
Biology

Carbon
Capture

Fermentation

Carbon Capture

Generative AI

Autonomous
Mobility

Nuclear
Fusion

Quantum
Computing

Synthetic
Biology

Hydrogen

Drug
Dev.

female-founded

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Exits

Exits

Exits

Unicorns

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