Scaling for sovereignty: How EU policy is reshaping Europe's deeptech playbook

Overview

Tech.eu reports that Europe's deeptech startups are being asked to do more than build successful businesses as EU policy focuses on strategic autonomy, supply-chain security, and the green transition. Backed by initiatives such as the European Innovation Council, a new generation of companies is emerging at the intersection of innovation and geopolitics. The article profiles examples including CorPower Ocean, EnduroSat, Kraftblock, and Modvion across wave energy, satellites, thermal storage, and wind turbine towers.

Key Takeaways

EU policy is pushing deeptech startups toward strategic autonomy, supply-chain security, and the green transition.
The European Innovation Council and its fund are backing these companies.
CorPower Ocean (Sweden) builds compact wave energy converters inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart.
EnduroSat (Bulgaria) offers a satellite-as-a-service model and opened a 188,000-square-foot Space Centre in Sofia.
Kraftblock (Germany) builds high-temperature thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonisation.
Modvion (Sweden) builds wind turbine towers from laminated veneer lumber, described as nature's own carbon fibre.

Stats & Key Facts

#EnduroSat opened an 188,000-square-foot Space Centre in Sofia.
#EnduroSat secured more than $100 million in funding to scale production.
#EnduroSat aims to manufacture up to two satellites per day.

Scaling for sovereignty: How EU policy is reshaping Europe's deeptech playbook

How EU policy is reshaping deeptech

European startups face goals beyond commercial success.

›Policymakers focus on strengthening strategic autonomy and securing critical supply chains.
›They also aim to accelerate the green transition.
›A new generation of companies is emerging at the intersection of innovation and geopolitics.

Backed by initiatives such as the European Innovation Council, these companies illustrate how European innovation policy is increasingly aligned with broader objectives around supply-chain security, resource efficiency, industrial competitiveness, and technological independence.

CorPower Ocean (Sweden)

A wave energy company turning ocean motion into electricity.

›Develops technology that converts the motion of ocean waves into renewable electricity.
›Its compact wave energy converters are inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart.
›They are designed to capture significantly more energy than traditional wave power systems while withstanding harsh ocean conditions.

CorPower's technology aims to provide a reliable source of clean energy that complements wind and solar power. By harnessing a domestic, largely untapped natural resource, it helps reduce Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthens the resilience of its clean energy infrastructure.

EnduroSat (Bulgaria)

A space company offering satellites as a service.

›Designs, builds, and operates satellites under a satellite-as-a-service model.
›Covers satellite platforms, components, integration, launch support, and mission operations.
›Recently opened an 188,000-square-foot Space Centre in Sofia and secured more than $100 million in funding.

EnduroSat aims to scale production of its larger ESPA-class satellites, with the goal of manufacturing up to two satellites per day. Its investors include the European Innovation Council Fund and major international backers. The company expands Europe's independent satellite manufacturing, supporting applications from Earth observation and communications to defence and environmental monitoring while reducing reliance on non-European suppliers.

Kraftblock (Germany)

A thermal energy storage scale-up for industry.

›Develops high-temperature thermal energy storage systems for industrial decarbonisation.
›Built a flexible, modular platform that stores cheap renewable electricity as heat.
›Dispatches that heat on demand to energy-intensive industrial processes.

The storage systems enable manufacturers to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, helping reduce dependence on imported gas and volatile global energy markets. Its technology aligns with broader European efforts to build cleaner, more self-sufficient industrial supply chains.

Modvion (Sweden)

A climatetech company rethinking wind turbine towers.

›Builds wind turbine towers using a patented modular tower system.
›The towers are made from laminated veneer lumber, which it describes as nature's own carbon fibre.
›The modular approach addresses the challenge of building very tall towers.

As wind turbines get taller, traditional steel towers become increasingly difficult and expensive to manufacture and transport, which Modvion's modular wood system is designed to address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is driving Europe's deeptech startups?

EU policy focused on strategic autonomy, supply-chain security, resource efficiency, industrial competitiveness, and the green transition, backed by initiatives such as the European Innovation Council.

What does CorPower Ocean do?

It develops wave energy converters that turn ocean wave motion into renewable electricity, with a compact design inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart.

What is notable about EnduroSat?

EnduroSat offers a satellite-as-a-service model, recently opened an 188,000-square-foot Space Centre in Sofia, and secured more than $100 million in funding to make up to two satellites per day.

How does Kraftblock support decarbonisation?

It builds high-temperature thermal energy storage that stores cheap renewable electricity as heat and dispatches it to industrial processes, helping replace fossil fuels.

What makes Modvion's wind towers different?

Modvion builds modular wind turbine towers from laminated veneer lumber, which it calls nature's own carbon fibre, to address the cost and difficulty of building very tall steel towers.

EU policy is reshaping deeptech as startups like CorPower Ocean, EnduroSat, Kraftblock, and Modvion tie commercial goals to Europe's strategic autonomy and green transition.