New mobile app connects startups, investors and research universities

From today the European Patent Office’s (EPO) Deep Tech Finder (DTF) is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, making it easier than ever to explore, track and connect with Europe’s most innovative, patent-active and investment-ready startups.

Since its recent launch, the web-based DTF tool has helped to connect investors and startups, offering a  powerful way to navigate Europe’s deep tech ecosystem through the lens of patent data. The tool has now been used for almost 50 000 searches to find startups, investors or research universities in Europe. The new DTF mobile app provides the same full functionality, offering the freedom to access the tool’s valuable information from anywhere.

Connecting innovation with investment

Startups that hold patents are up to ten times more likely to secure investment. Patents signal defensible positions for breakthrough technologies, helping investors identify emerging leaders in key sectors.

The DTF makes these signals visible, combining the technical and legal information in patents with companies’ financial positions to help users:

• explore over 10 000 startups with European patent applications or granted patents
• discover over 1 000 universities engaged in patenting
• focus on dozens of technology fields and industry sectors
• filter startups by name, location, growth stage funding rounds and growth stages
• easily access all corresponding patent documents via Espacenet and see legal status information via the European Patent Register

Whether you’re searching for startups in oncology, hydrogen storage or quantum computing, the DTF brings Europe’s innovation landscape direct to your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Showcasing the Deep Tech Finder at VivaTech 2025

On 12 June, the EPO and the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI France)will host a workshop at VivaTech, Europe’s leading annual innovation and technology event. The workshop will run from 15.00 to 17.00 hrs with experts from the EPO demonstrating how the Deep Tech Finder helps bridge the gap between research and investment and how patent data supports smarter innovation decisions. Live app demos will also be available throughout the four-day conference, which runs from 11 to 14 June at the INPI booth, J47 in Hall 1. 

Supporting Europe’s innovators

Developed by the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology, the DTF forms part of the EPO’s larger strategy to make patent knowledge more visible, accessible and actionable for innovators everywhere.