Deep Tech for Dummies

Ali Alam on research commercialization, team-building, and European tech sovereignty

Ali Alam, manager of the DEEP Pioneers program at the DEEP Institute, joins Campus 10178 to demystify deep tech and explain why research-rooted innovation is essential to solving today’s most pressing challenges. In this episode, he outlines the barriers Europe faces in commercializing scientific discoveries and explains how high-performing founder-researcher teams can help overcome them. Drawing on his global experience as a founder and operator, Ali provides a clear, accessible introduction to the deep tech ecosystem and makes the case for why now is the critical time to act.

“Europe already generates world-class science. We are very good at it. With integrated teams and fit-for-purpose capital, we can really convert that science into world-class companies.” – Ali Alam, DEEP Pioneers

Key discussion points

• What defines deep tech and how it differs from consumer-facing technology
• The seven verticals of deep tech and their societal relevance
• Why Europe produces strong research but lags in commercialization—including the stark reality that only 3% of researchers who want to commercialize ever become research founders
• The importance of founder-researcher matching for venture success
• Structural barriers in tech transfer and how DEEP Pioneers addresses them
• Building the EU's sovereign innovation capacity through policy developments like European incorporation and unified patent systems, funding, and partnerships

Resource links

• Deep Tech for Dummies (& Smart VCs Who Want an Edge) by Ali Alam on Medium
• DEEP Institute at ESMT Berlin
• Ali Alam on LinkedIn
• Joachim Herz Foundation

About our guest

Ali Alam is the manager of the venture-building program at DEEP Pioneers, part of the DEEP Institute at ESMT Berlin. Born in Pakistan and raised across Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK before settling in Germany, Ali brings a global perspective to European deep tech. His journey from SaaS founder to venture builder was shaped by growing up in academic families—his parents are researchers—giving him firsthand insight into how universities operate and how research transitions from lab to market.

At DEEP Pioneers, Ali tackles one of Europe's biggest challenges: the "valley of death" where promising university research stalls before reaching commercialization. His approach focuses on team-building rather than trying to convert researchers into entrepreneurs, instead matching world-class research with experienced serial founders to create complementary founding teams. With support from the Joachim Herz Foundation, the program aims to help Europe capitalize on its strong research output and compete globally in the deep tech space.

Ali describes himself as still learning about deep tech complexities, bringing both humility and passion to solving what he believes are the world's biggest problems through science-based innovation.

About Campus 10178

Campus 10178 is Germany’s #1 podcast on the business research behind business practice. Brought to you each month by ESMT Berlin, the 45-minute show brings together top scholars, executives, and policymakers to discuss today’s hottest topics in leadership, innovation, and analytics. Campus 10178 – where education meets business.