Deeptech Labs Research
Investment Thesis
Deeptech Labs describes itself as "the catalyst for deep tech success." It is a Cambridge, UK-based venture capital fund and accelerator that backs seed-stage deep technology startups where a novel underlying technology is fundamental to the business model — not merely a feature layered on top of a conventional business. The firm's core belief is that early strategic and commercialization decisions determine whether a deep technology succeeds or fails, so it embeds each cohort intensively in a network of experienced entrepreneurs, practitioners, researchers, and corporate partners to de-risk the path from lab-grade technology to a fundable, scalable company. The explicit goal of the programme is to prepare companies for a strong Series A raise.
Sector Focus
Deeptech Labs invests across the full breadth of "deep tech," with concentrations in:
- Quantum computing and quantum networking (e.g., Nu Quantum, Cavero Quantum)
- Semiconductors, photonics, and AI infrastructure hardware (e.g., Salience Labs, Atlas, Wave Photonics, Finchetto, Ultracell Networks)
- Robotics and automation (e.g., Inovo Robotics, WAKU Robotics, RoboK, BOW, Small Robot Company)
- Advanced materials and battery technology (e.g., Anaphite, AmpliSi, ADN Coatings, Auxetec, Mimicrete)
- Biotech, diagnostics, and medical devices (e.g., Panazee, Pictura Bio, NIQS, Ocuwell, Sterling Bio Machines)
- Applied AI/ML for enterprise, industrial, and compliance use cases (e.g., Xapien, Circuit Mind, iKVA, Cybpass, OctaiPipe, Materials Nexus)
- Climate and manufacturing technology (e.g., CCU International, Barocal, Instruct3d, PlasmaFresh)
Stage Focus
Deeptech Labs invests exclusively at seed stage, targeting startups with established (not merely conceptual) technology, an exceptional founding team, and strong initial traction — companies ready to be prepared for a Series A within roughly a year of joining.
Check Size
Typical investment is £100k–£350k per company (roughly $125K–$440K), deployed as part of the accelerator programme. This is a fixed-structure cohort investment rather than a freely negotiated round size.
Programme Structure & Lead Tendency
Deeptech Labs runs two structured cohorts per year: a 10-week intensive seed-stage programme and a 3-month programme for post-seed startups with more established technology. Each cohort culminates in a Demo Day connecting founders with follow-on investors. Because the accelerator investment is a fixed, programme-structured check rather than a freely negotiated lead/follow position in an open round, lead tendency is best classified as "unknown" — the firm's role is closer to a structured seed program than a conventional round lead.
Recent Activity
Investment pace has been modest and programme-driven rather than continuous: roughly 24 companies since inception per third-party trackers (Tracxn), with the most recent disclosed new investment being HTMS (high-temperature composite materials, Seed, ~October 2025) and a recent follow-on into Perceptual Robotics. The firm continues to run its twice-yearly cohort model and has been active in ecosystem partnerships: a February 2024 partnership programme with Northern Gritstone, and portfolio company Salience Labs announced a manufacturing partnership with Tower Semiconductor in February 2026 to produce its optical circuit switches at scale.
Portfolio Highlights
Deeptech Labs has run at least eight accelerator cohorts, moving roughly 65 companies through the programme in total. Notable names include:
- Nu Quantum — quantum networking ("Entanglement Fabric") connecting quantum processors into scalable systems
- Salience Labs — optical switches for AI datacenters, now scaling manufacturing with Tower Semiconductor
- Xapien — AI-driven due diligence and background verification platform, used by institutions including Dow Jones
- Circuit Mind — AI software automating electronic/PCB circuit design, part of the inaugural 2018 cohort
- Monumo — generative AI and multiphysics simulation for optimized EV motor design
- Anaphite — graphene-enhanced battery cathode materials for fast-charging energy storage
- Materials Nexus — AI-driven discovery of sustainable advanced materials
- Inovo Robotics — low-cost modular robotic arms for manufacturing automation
- Contilio and BKwai — AI/computer-vision platforms for construction and infrastructure monitoring
- Perceptual Robotics — drone automation and computer vision for wind turbine inspection
Team
- Miles Kirby, CEO — International VC with experience in financial and corporate venture investing across the US and Europe; previously set up the €150M AV8 Ventures fund and ran Qualcomm's Venture Capital group in Europe.
- David Groom, Partner — Entrepreneur and investor specializing in scaling advanced AI and deep tech ventures from R&D through market leadership, with expertise in fundraising and portfolio management.
- Sasha McMurray, Head of Programmes — Previously spent four years at Creative Destruction Lab (Oxford) leading the AI stream; former angel investor and co-founder of an immersive production company.
- Ambrose Thwaites, Investment Associate — Works across sourcing, evaluation, IC preparation, and portfolio monitoring; economics and philosophy graduate of the University of Warwick.
- Ewan Kirk, Chair/Investor — Technology entrepreneur and founder of Cantab Capital Partners, which he grew from £30M to £4.5B AUM before its 2016 acquisition by GAM Investments.
Decision Process
Deeptech Labs runs a structured, cohort-based selection and investment committee process (application via a Typeform portal, followed by evaluation, IC review, and cohort admission), consistent with a small-partnership decision process rather than a solo-GP model.
Founder Preferences
The firm favors deeply technical founding teams — often spinning out of university research (notably University of Cambridge) or corporate R&D labs — who have already reduced core technology risk and need commercialization, go-to-market, and fundraising support to reach Series A readiness.
Geographic Focus
Primarily UK-based (Cambridge and wider UK), described as operating from "Europe's leading technology cluster," with selective portfolio companies in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. The firm has also run international partnership initiatives (e.g., with Malaysia's Sunway Group on net-zero technology).
Founding Institutions & Backers
Deeptech Labs was founded in partnership with the University of Cambridge, Arm, Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), Martlet Capital, Ewan Kirk, HSBC Innovation Banking, Google Cloud, and law firm Squire Patton Boggs. It operates as an FCA-regulated Appointed Representative of Enterprise Investment Partners LLP (FRN: 604439; DTL FRN: 944411), consistent with a UK EIS/SEIS-style seed investment structure.