Celebrating one year of CERN Venture Connect

One year ago, CERN launched the CERN Venture Connect (CVC) Programme, a groundbreaking entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower deep-tech ventures across the Laboratory's Member and Associate Member States at every stage of their journey, from seed to late-stage growth. Focused on accelerating startups by giving them access to state-of-the-art technologies and to a global support network, CVC has quickly grown into a thriving hub for innovation.

As showcased in the CERN Venture Connect Summit taking place today, in its first year, CVC has built a dynamic ecosystem of startups, investors, mentors and key players within the deep-tech sector, actively supporting three pioneering startups, establishing partnerships with over 40 organisations across 15 countries and providing fast-track access to seven cutting-edge CERN technologies.

"Startup talent is everywhere, but access to the right network and resources isn't always available locally," says head of the Programme Linn Kretzschmar. "CERN Venture Connect is designed to bridge that gap, connecting founders with world-class technologies and a global network of investors and mentors. Our fast-tracked licensing agreements and access to technology prototypes enable startups to accelerate their growth and create lasting societal impact."

Startups joining CVC gain access to groundbreaking CERN technologies that were originally developed for fundamental physics research and the operation of the world's largest particle accelerator infrastructure but are now primed for real-world applications. These technologies, such as advanced laser systems, cooling systems and time-synchronisation tools, aim to revolutionise fields such as quantum computing, healthcare, telecommunications, finance and smart grids.

One notable example is the structured laser beam system, which was originally designed for aligning accelerator components at CERN. This technology is now being used by the Dutch startup InPhocal to mark products in the food and beverages industries, outperforming traditional approaches in terms of speed and cost. Moreover, it does not require the use of toxic printing inks and has the capability to print on curved surfaces.

In addition, CVC's comprehensive support network helps startups secure funding, build expertise and form strategic partnerships. "The level of interest from our partners has been outstanding," says Chris Hartley, head of CERN's Industry, Procurement and Knowledge Transfer department. "We are excited to collaborate with incubators, investors and industry experts who share our vision of supporting founders on their entrepreneurial journey. The practical application of CERN's technologies for societal benefit is of paramount importance to us."

Find out more, including guidelines on how to apply and a list of the Programme's partners, on the CVC website.