Challenges and Potentials in Evaluating Early-Stage Deep Technology

Deep technology, or ‘deep tech’, represents a class of technologies distinguished by their basis in scientific breakthroughs or significant engineering innovations. This paper investigates the challenges and potentials of the technical due diligence required to evaluate deep tech in its early stages of development. Traditional evaluation methodologies often fall short, particularly in these early stages. The focus of this research is to identify the specific challenges of evaluating deep tech and the potential that future evaluation methodologies could achieve. Using a qualitative research methodology, expert interviews were used to explore the requirements for identifying and analyzing the challenges and potentials for evaluating early-stage deep tech. The interviews include perspectives from both industry and academia, exploring the diverse challenges and methodological approaches relevant to technical evaluation in this area. The analysis identifies key elements and challenges that influence the due diligence process for early-stage deep tech. The findings of this research are instrumental in laying the basis for future development of a specialized framework for technology evaluation and the refinement of the technical due diligence process in sectors driven by innovation and sustainability.