Last week, THINGS opened its doors to our partners, entrepreneurs, and innovators to celebrate our 11th anniversary. It was an evening of reflection, inspiration, and a powerful look toward the future of European innovation.
Under the theme “Deeptech – a Springboard for Europe,” the event served as a reminder of how far we have come over the last decade. Since our inception, THINGS has evolved into a leading platform dedicated to one core mission: transforming deeptech into tangible business impact.
Insightful Perspectives on the European Stage
The heart of the celebration was an intensive program featuring a world-class lineup of speakers. We explored how deeptech acts as the primary engine for European competitiveness and the necessary steps to scale these technologies globally.
A massive thank you to our 11 speakers who shared their time and expertise: Massimo Portincaso, Ermelinda Falletta, Michael Schön, Jonas Genchel, Pontus Stråhlman, Mala Valroy, Tord Johnson, Alessandro Colangelo, Markus Skogsmo, Dr. Maksym Plakhotnyuk, and Karin Edström.
Their openness and deep experience in navigating the complexities of hardware and software integration provided our community with invaluable takeaways on how to move the needle in the industry.
Honoring a Visionary: Jakob de Geer Joins the Wall of Fame
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the induction of the 12th member into the THINGS Wall of Fame. This year, we were proud to honour Jakob de Geer, a founder who truly embodies the resilience required to build a global powerhouse.
Jakob’s journey—from the early days at Tradedoubler to co-founding iZettle—is a masterclass in entrepreneurship. He and co-founder Magnus Nilsson took a simple idea and navigated the grueling path of hardware development and international certifications. Their story reached a legendary crescendo when, just two weeks before their planned IPO, iZettle was acquired by PayPal in one of Europe’s most significant tech deals.
Having Jakob share the stage and his personal insights was a highlight for everyone in attendance.
Looking Ahead
While 11 years is a significant milestone, we are even more excited about what comes next. In an era where technological sovereignty and sustainable industrial growth are paramount, the role of deeptech has never been more critical.
Whether it is in the realm of energy, connectivity, or industrial automation, the “defence” of Europe’s economic future lies in our ability to innovate together.
Thank you to our guests and the wider THINGS community for being part of this story. Here is to the next decade of turning deeptech into reality!
Recent Comments