In the unique world of startups, few regions captivate my interest as much as Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). This area is bubbling with top-tier scientific talent, often underappreciated on the global stage but determined to make a mark. As a female founder having bootstrapped my ventures, I see tremendous lessons in these 18 high-potential deep tech startups that encapsulate grit, innovation, and problem-solving. If you’re an entrepreneur, especially in Europe, or just looking for inspiration, read on.
Why Deep Tech From CEE Deserves Your Attention
Deep tech startups build on more than just ideas, they’re founded on tangible scientific advancements and solutions to complex challenges. They usually demand large up-front investments in R&D and have longer timelines to profitability compared to quick-service apps or marketplaces. But here’s the kicker: deep tech is more resilient to external shocks. For instance, while global tech funding plunged 60% during 2024, deep tech investments declined by a relatively modest 28%. That’s telling.
For countries within the CEE, rich academic history plays a huge role. Institutions here breed world-class talent in physics, software engineering, and biochemistry. Pair that with the increasing competitiveness of EU funding, and you’ve got a breeding ground for startups doing incredible things.
18 Deep Tech Startups You’ll Want to Track in 2026
Adapta Robotics (Romania)
What they do: They’re creating industrial robots tailored for manufacturing, testing, and retail scanning. The coolest part? These aren’t generic bots, they’re fully customizable for niche industries.
Why it matters: Companies from automotive to consumer electronics depend on test efficiency, and this Romanian-based startup has a solution.
Funding raised: €1.91M from Catalyst Romania and WIT Angels Club.
Learn more about Adapta Robotics
Cytocast (Hungary)
What they do: Cytocast revolutionizes healthcare by using simulation software that imitates human cells, speeding up drug discovery and personalized medicine.
Why it matters: Imagine testing drugs on digital cells before clinical trials, it accelerates timelines and reduces human testing.
Funding raised: Supported by esteemed EU healthcare funds.
See their cutting-edge work
ExploRNA Therapeutics (Poland)
What they do: This biotech firm is focused on mRNA innovations, paving the way for breakthroughs in vaccines and therapies.
Why it’s worth watching: Following COVID-19, mRNA-based research is exploding. ExploRNA is riding that wave in untapped niches.
Funding details: €699K grant, plus backing by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Learn more about ExploRNA Therapeutics
GlucoActive (Poland)
What they do: They’ve developed a wearable glucose monitor, perfect for people managing diabetes or athletes tracking performance.
Why it stands out: Non-invasive wearable tech is the holy grail for health hardware, and GlucoActive seems to be nailing it.
Funding: €721K in early backing.
More from GlucoActive
EPIX.AI (Bulgaria)
What they do: Personalized wellness rooted in AI and epigenetics.
Why it matters: By customizing health solutions on the genetic level, this startup is advancing how we handle chronic health and nutrition.
Key founder: Ivan Vankata Tsenov, one to watch!
Lessons These Startups Offer Female Entrepreneurs
1. Persistence Outweighs Everything
Many of these startups launched in countries where securing venture capital is still a distant dream. Yet, their persistence shows; noteworthy products paved the way for funding. If your idea fills a genuine need, bootstrapping can get you past the early challenges.
2. Tap Into Support Networks
CEE companies have leveraged accelerator programs like Horizon Europe, proving that there’s no shame in chasing grants or small pre-seed funds. Platforms like Vestbee or Innovation Capital could do the same for you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Focusing Too Much on R&D Without Feedback: It’s all well and good to have a solid technological advancement, but these startups excel because they’ve matched products to market demand. Build customer insights into your early-stage product testing.
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Skipping Over Community Building: A startup is also its network. Many CEE founders are tactfully blending local support with global opportunities. If you neglect this, scaling becomes harder.
The How-To Guide for Bootstrapping With Purpose
Start where you can, not where you wish you were. Take a leaf from Tropic Square in the Czech Republic, which built secure hardware for IoT devices despite lacking the typical Silicon Valley funding cushion. Begin with prototypes, showcase them at industry expos, and gain early partnerships. That’s your MVP, not perfection.
Leverage EU grants/Q&A-driven accelerators. Programs like Creative Accelerator in Hungary and Innovation Radar dashboards are tailored toward tech heavyweights but don’t exclude micro-startups.
Statistics Worth Knowing
- CEE startups grew their total ecosystem valuation to €213 billion in 2023, doubling in just four years.
- Deep tech made up nearly one-third of all tech VC funding across Europe, focusing on AI, quantum computing, and med-tech fields.
- Women-led startups? Still tougher to find here, but programs are increasing visibility across the board.
Conclusion
Central and Eastern Europe is buzzing with talent, ideas, and determination. Deep tech startups tackling problems with impact at the global scale are thriving at seemingly impossible odds. For women entrepreneurs, the message is clear: you may not have the same playbook as large players, but you can still show up, create something meaningful, and turn heads in even the most competitive markets after building a strong foundation. Where can you start today? Pick a niche, do the hard work, and partner where you need strength.
I’ll be keeping an eye on CEE. Shouldn’t you?
FAQ
1. Why is deep tech gaining traction in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)?
Deep tech is heavily reliant on cutting-edge R&D and IP, with resilience to economic shocks. For instance, while global tech funding plunged 60% in 2024, deep tech investments only declined by 28%. Institutions in CEE nurture world-class talent in sectors like physics, AI, and biochemistry, providing fertile ground for these startups. Discover deep tech's potential in CEE
2. What makes Adapta Robotics unique among CEE startups?
Adapta Robotics specializes in customized robots for industries like manufacturing and testing. Their solutions address niche market challenges, proving adaptability for companies across automotive and electronics sectors. Learn more about Adapta Robotics
3. How does Cytocast contribute to healthcare innovation?
Cytocast uses simulation technology to replicate human cells, enabling faster drug discovery and personalized treatment while reducing reliance on human testing. Explore Cytocast's groundbreaking tech
4. Why is ExploRNA Therapeutics important for mRNA research?
ExploRNA is innovating within the mRNA space, focusing on new vaccine and therapy applications post-COVID-19. They have secured backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand their efforts. Learn more about ExploRNA Therapeutics
5. What breakthrough has GlucoActive achieved in health tech?
GlucoActive develops non-invasive wearable glucose monitors, revolutionizing diabetes management and athletic performance tracking. Discover GlucoActive's solution
6. What is EPIX.AI's approach to personalized wellness?
EPIX.AI combines AI and epigenetics to offer tailored health solutions addressing chronic conditions and individual nutritional needs. Explore EPIX.AI
7. How does Tropic Square stand out in secure hardware innovation?
Tropic Square focuses on secure chips with open architecture for IoT devices, ensuring robust encryption and reliability for modern digital systems. Learn more about Tropic Square
8. Why is purpose-driven bootstrapping critical for startups?
By starting with prototypes and leveraging local funding networks, startups like Tropic Square show how establishing a strong foundation can pave the way toward sustained growth without over-dependence on external capital. Read more insights
9. How have EU grants supported these startups?
Programs like Horizon Europe and Innovation Radar have been instrumental in providing pre-seed and scaling capital to emerging deep tech startups across CEE. Get insights into EU-funded models
10. What lessons can female entrepreneurs learn from CEE startups?
Persistence and leveraging support networks are key takeaways from CEE deep tech founders who bootstrapped their way past initial barriers and utilized accelerator programs for scaling. Learn more about female entrepreneurship in CEE
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
