Want to launch a hard-tech venture? Do it now.
By Bruno Iafelice, PhD, TVLP Institute
If you are a scientist or an engineer in academia or industry and believe you can combine several hard tech disciplines, such as advanced materials, robotics, biotechnology, and clean energy, to develop an innovation, continue reading this article.
The ventures deeply rooted in science and engineering are experiencing an increasing novel interest, particularly those focused on developing tangible, physically-based technologies.
Based on a recent publication in Inc. Magazine, unlike software, hard tech startups face unique challenges but, at the same time, can offer unique opportunities. They need substantial capital requirements, long development cycles, complex manufacturing processes, stringent regulatory hurdles, and high technical risks.
After a period where software startups dominated the entrepreneurial landscape due to their scalability and lower initial costs, hard tech is witnessing a renaissance.
Some of the factors that contribute to this renewed interest are:
- Addressing Global Challenges: Hard tech innovations are pivotal in addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy sustainability, and healthcare. For instance, companies developing clean energy solutions or advanced medical devices offer tangible benefits that software alone cannot achieve.
- Technological Advancements: Recent breakthroughs in materials science, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing technologies have reduced some of the traditional barriers to hard tech development, making it more attractive to entrepreneurs.
- Investments Diversification: Investors are back to appreciate the long-term potential of hard tech ventures. In particular, the high technology barriers to entry and the potential for significant impact make hard tech appealing for venture capital diversification.
- Interdisciplinary Innovation: The convergence of various disciplines, such as combining AI with biotechnology, has opened new opportunities for innovation that were previously unattainable, leading to the creation of groundbreaking products and solutions.
But – still – the hard tech founders need specialized support and dedicated resources for navigating the complex landscape of physical technology development.
I recently approached IEEE Entrepreneurship – the global community of 460,000+ members spanning 190+ countries – and discovered that one of its main events of 2025 is dedicated to accelerating the growth of hard tech ventures. And I decided to support it.
The IEEE Entrepreneurship Hard Tech Venture Summit is scheduled for June 18-19, 2025, in San Francisco, California.
IES members interested in building new ventures should add initiatives like this to their monitoring list. It can offer the opportunity to find valuable resources regarding co-founders, advisors, and access to early-stage capital.
It also helps to get inspired by successful entrepreneurs and learn from their first-hand experience.
As a bonus – the initiative is located in the vibrant Silicon Valley and can help establish local connections.
Bruno Iafelice, PhD
TVLP Institute
IEEE IES Senior Member
IEEE Hard Tech Venture Summit Advisor