Breakthrough Science

The traditional venture capital model, dilutive in nature and focused on short-term returns, is not always suited for early-stage deeptech, making grants a viable alternative. By addressing this funding gap, we provide researchers with the capital they need to advance their work without diluting ownership or slowing progress. Through tapping into EQT’s global network, we connect grantees with expertise, industry insights, and potential partners to help refine and scale their solutions. Recognizing the crucial role universities play in scientific discovery and commercialization, we build direct relationships with PhDs, Postdocs, Principal Investigators (PIs), and research leaders. By engaging early and designing our funding programs to address the barriers and friction found in more traditional programs, we aim to reverse the trend of high-potential innovations not progressing beyond an academic setting. These partnerships are aimed at further fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, with our grant program serving as a bridge from lab to market. Looking ahead, we remain focused on supporting scientists worldwide as they tackle some of the most urgent challenges in climate and health. In health, we are particularly interested in advancing solutions for rare diseases and women’s health; two areas that have historically received limited research funding but hold immense potential for impact.

Our goal is to enrich the innovation ecosystem, and help catalyze promising ideas into real-world impactful solutions. We hope that our commitment to building these connections with scientists will help create an entrepreneurial environment within academia, inspire more flexible funding going into translational research, and result in more breakthrough solutions moving from lab to market.