In this interview, Arnaud de la Tour, CEO of Hello Tomorrow, shares his insights on deep tech, sustainability, and the future of his organization.
Main takeaways:
1. Definition of deep tech: deep tech is characterized by high levels of research and development and unique intellectual property (IP). Arnaud explains that deep tech is not simply a mobile app connecting users but rather an advanced technology that requires significant time and effort to develop. These technologies can be digital, physical, or biological, and are often IP-intensive [1][2].
2. Deep tech as a long-term trend: deep tech has been building progressively over the past decade, driven by the need to transform industries such as energy production, food and agriculture, and green manufacturing [3]. The ability to prototype quickly and cheaply in various sectors, including biotech and hardware, has opened up value creation opportunities for startups [4]. Arnaud believes deep tech is here to stay, comparing its impact to the internet 20 years ago [1].
3. Corporations investing in deep tech: major corporations are increasingly investing in deep tech startups to meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenges [5]. As traditional industries are disrupted, companies are seeking innovative solutions to transform their business models and continue making profits [6]. Arnaud cites examples of oil and gas companies shifting focus to hydrogen and electric cars [1].
4. Hello Tomorrow's role in the deep tech ecosystem: Hello Tomorrow connects startups, investors, and corporations to help create a thriving deep tech ecosystem [7]. The organization operates two main activities: organizing the annual Hello Tomorrow Global Summit [8] and offering consulting services [9]. These activities provide a comprehensive service for deep tech startups, helping them to grow and succeed.
5. Hello Tomorrow's future plans: Arnaud reveals plans to launch a venture capital (VC) fund focusing on early-stage deep tech startups [1]. This fund would invest in companies at the pre-revenue and pre-proof-of-concept stages, where traditional VC firms are often reluctant to invest [10]. The aim is to start with a small fund, make some initial investments, and then grow it over time.
6. Arnaud's thoughts on technology's role in sustainability: Arnaud believes that technology is both a problem and a solution when it comes to sustainability [1]. While it's important to reconsider our society and how we live, emerging technologies are necessary for producing food, energy, and goods in a sustainable manner [11]. He emphasizes that to achieve net-zero emissions and maintain a high quality of life, we must scale up new technologies [12].
Conclusion:
As deep tech continues to grow and evolve, organizations like Hello Tomorrow will play a critical role in fostering innovation and driving sustainable solutions for global challenges.