SOSV is organizing the 2026 Deep Tech VC–Founder Matchup, a virtual event bringing together deep tech startups and investors for 1:1 meetings online, scheduled at mutually convenient times.
The event is designed to connect investors with founders building the next generation of deep tech companies across sectors and stages of development.
We welcome startups across AI and advanced computing, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, biotech, chemicals, construction and infrastructure, defense, electronics and photonics, energy, environmental tech, food tech, industrial tech, materials, medical devices and diagnostics, mining and resources, mobility and transportation, pharma and therapeutics, robotics and automation, semiconductors, space, and more.
Participating investors range from specialist deep tech funds to generalist venture firms, corporate venture investors and other investors actively looking for emerging technology companies.
Who should attend?
Founders: If you are building an ambitious deep tech startup and looking to meet relevant investors, register your company and tell us about your technology, team, traction and funding.
Investors: VCs, CVCs, family offices, syndicates and angel investors actively investing in deep tech and able to write investment checks. This event is not open to service providers or intermediaries seeking to sell services to founders.
You do not need to be affiliated with SOSV or an SOSV portfolio company to participate.
How does it work?
- Register – Founders create a company profile, while investors provide information about their investment focus and preferences.
- Request meetings – Participants receive access to the Grip platform, where investors can discover startups and founders can identify relevant investors and request meetings.
- Meet – Meetings are double opt-in and take place online at mutually convenient times during Matchup week.
The event is completely free to participate in.
Our goal is simple: put relevant founders and investors in the same room — virtually — and let them decide whether there is a reason to keep talking.
Building a deep tech startup?
[REGISTER AS A FOUNDER]
Investing in deep tech?
[REGISTER AS AN INVESTOR]
Note: You can have up to 20 pending meeting requests at a time. Canceling a pending request frees up a slot for another request.
Participation requirements
This event is for startup founders and active investors who can write investment checks. Investors may include VCs, CVCs, family offices, syndicates and angel investors.
Service providers are not eligible to participate as investors. Participants may not use the Matchup to sell consulting, fundraising, advisory or other paid services, solicit fees from founders, or offer “pay to pitch” opportunities.
By registering, you agree to the SOSV Matchup Terms and Conditions. In particular:
- SOSV may modify or cancel the event at its sole discretion.
- Investors must meet the applicable investor eligibility requirements, either individually or as a representative of an eligible investment entity.
- SOSV does not verify or endorse participants or information exchanged during the event.
- SOSV may accept or reject registrations, or terminate participation, at its sole discretion.
FAQs
Q: Why is SOSV doing this?
- SOSV is a leader in deep tech investing with hundreds of portfolio companies. You can explore them in the Deep Tech 100.
- We started the VC–Founder Matchups to make it easier for founders and investors to discover each other based on actual investment fit rather than relying solely on existing networks and warm introductions.
- More connections between investors and founders mean more opportunities for great deep tech companies to get funded.
Q: What is the duration of meetings?
- Meetings are 20 minutes, with the option to continue the conversation afterward.
- Meetings start on the hour or half-hour, leaving a 10-minute buffer between slots.
Q: Can I connect outside the Grip platform?
- Yes. Participants can also use Calendly or an equivalent service to arrange meetings via Zoom, Teams, Meet, etc.
- All participants provide a LinkedIn profile, so you can also connect there.
Q: What can I expect as a founder?
- A detailed list of participating investors, including information about their investment focus, preferred sectors, stages, geographies and other criteria.
- Getting meetings is not guaranteed. Some founders generate many meetings while others receive none. The most successful participants start early, research investors carefully and send targeted requests to investors whose mandates genuinely fit their companies.
Q: What can I expect as an investor?
- A detailed list of deep tech startups across a wide range of sectors, technologies, geographies and stages.
- Company profiles provide information designed to help investors quickly identify potentially relevant opportunities before deciding whether to meet.
Q: Does SOSV recommend or endorse participants?
- No. SOSV facilitates discovery and introductions but does not verify or endorse participants or the information they provide. Participants should conduct their own diligence.
Q: Can I partner with SOSV or sponsor this event?
- Please reach out at marketing@sosv.com
Q: I am always interested in attending such events. Where do I register?
- Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about future events.
