How are the two startup groups in the Performance of deep tech startups dashboard defined?

The dashboard compares two groups of startups based on their presence (or absence) in the EPO Deep Tech Finder (DTF).

Deep-Tech Finder (DTF) startups refer to companies that appear in the EPO Deep-Tech Finder. They are identified through a matching process between Dealroom’s database – a global data platform for intelligence on startups – and an internal patent database of the European Patent Office (EPO). The DTF group thus consists of companies that have been identified as a startup by Dealroom and have at least one published European patent application. 

The comparison group includes companies that Dealroom classifies as startups, but that do not appear in the Deep Tech Finder as they do not hold a published European patent application.

The dataset is limited to companies founded within the last 10 years. 

When filters such as country or industry are applied, both groups are restricted using the same criteria, ensuring that comparisons reflect differences in performance rather than structural differences or variations in the sample.