forbes.com
Deep Tech's Rise: Collaboration is Key
Global deep tech funding has doubled in a decade, driven by both private investment and government initiatives prioritizing national security and technological independence; successful collaborations between corporations and deep tech startups, such as Toyota and Pony.ai, are key to realizing deep tech's potential.
- How can corporations, particularly those with limited R&D budgets, overcome barriers to entry and unlock the potential of deep tech innovation in various sectors?
- Deep tech ventures, unlike typical digital innovations, are based on novel scientific discoveries and face both commercialization and technological hurdles. They also often center around hardware and defensible intellectual property, creating a unique risk and reward profile. This necessitates innovative financial strategies and long-term partnerships.
- What defines deep tech ventures, and how do they differ from traditional digital innovations in terms of their technological basis, risk profiles, and intellectual property?
- Global venture capital and private equity investment in deep tech, addressing societal challenges and often with dual-use applications, has doubled over the past decade. Governments are also increasingly prioritizing deep tech to bolster national security and reduce reliance on foreign technology. This surge necessitates new collaborative models between research, industry, and government.
- Considering the significant challenges and the relatively low success rate of corporate-deep tech startup partnerships (57% success according to a 2017 survey), what strategies can maximize the likelihood of successful collaborations and mutual benefit?
- Corporations can unlock deep tech's potential by building internal expertise, collaborating with academic partners, and employing innovative financing. Success requires securing senior leadership buy-in and defining clear milestones to demonstrate progress and build confidence, fostering long-term partnerships with startups to navigate commercialization challenges. A successful example is Toyota's investment in Pony.ai for autonomous vehicle technology.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article is framed positively towards the potential of deep tech, emphasizing its benefits and opportunities. While this is understandable given the article's focus, the lack of counterbalancing perspectives or potential downsides could lead to an overly optimistic view. The frequent use of terms like "transformative potential" and "radical innovation" contributes to this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although terms such as "radical innovation," "transformative potential," and "groundbreaking advancements" carry positive connotations. While these terms are commonly used in this context, replacing them with more neutral phrases like "significant innovation," "substantial potential," and "important advancements" might improve objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the perspectives of corporations and deep tech startups, potentially overlooking other relevant stakeholders such as government agencies, research institutions, or consumers. While it mentions the importance of government support and collaboration with research institutions, a more in-depth exploration of their roles and perspectives would provide a more comprehensive picture. The article also omits discussion of potential negative consequences or risks associated with deep tech, such as ethical concerns or unforeseen technological challenges.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the relationship between deep tech and digital innovation, framing them as distinct categories with little overlap. In reality, many deep tech ventures incorporate digital technologies and vice versa. This binary presentation may oversimplify the complex interplay between these two areas of innovation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the increasing investment in and importance of deep tech, which drives innovation and infrastructure development. Deep tech