ASCEND Innovation conference

The race for global tech leadership is accelerating – and Europe is continuously losing ground. While Europe excels in groundbreaking research and science, a widening gap persists in innovation and the scaling of start-ups, particularly in deep tech. As a result, Europe's competitive edge is declining, and if we want to compete we must act now.

  • Scandic Hotel Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 25 - 26 November 2025
  • Organizers:
    Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Ministry for Higher Education and Science
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There is a need for bold strategies to scale deep tech solutions, turn cutting-edge research into market-ready breakthroughs, and build the next generation of global tech champions and leaders.

The ASCEND innovation conference is a call to action. By bringing together top policymakers, powerhouse investors, pioneering startups, research visionaries, and industry leaders, the conference will chart actionable pathways for Europe’s deep tech leadership.

ASCEND will cover key deep technologies, including AI, supercomputing, semiconductors, the Internet of Things, genomics, quantum computing, space tech, biosolutions, biotechnology, renewable energy, waste management, water purification, advanced materials, and sustainable agriculture.

See the full program here

DIREC will co-organize the the session below:

25 November 2025, 14.30 – 15.20

Parallel session 2: Digital tech giants in Europe – how do we succeed?

Europe is lagging behind the US and China in the field of digital technology. We do not and will probably not get a unified market or the same venture capital anytime soon. Maybe we need to rewrite the rules for creating digital startups.

In this session, we will discuss how to learn from global tech companies, extract the best practices from them, and apply these insights to create scalable tech companies in Europe that leverage our strengths and research positions. If we need to get ahead, we need to strengthen our ability to envision a new future, where we define the rules and the playing field.

In this session, we will learn from seasoned entrepreneurs and discuss how to create more digital startups in Europe, as well as how the Commission can support this vision.

Speakers in the session

 

Moderator
  • Hans Ravnkjær Larsen, Head of events and association, Dansk IT (Hans Ravnkjær Larsen bio)