At DeepTech Alliance, of which we at THINGS are an operational partner, we bring together Europe’s leading deep-tech startups, corporates, and investors to explore how science-based innovation can shape the industries of tomorrow.
Building on the success of our Advanced Materials Deep Dives, we are now introducing a new format: the Exploration Programs, designed to give corporate partners foresight into the most transformative technological frontiers.

What Are Exploration Programs?

Exploration Programs are designed for corporates, and their employees in long-term roles such as CTOs, R&D leaders, and strategy executives, to gain early insight into emerging deeptech domains.
Unlike our Business Creation Programs, which focus on pilots and partnerships with mature startups (TRL 5–9), Exploration Programs provide first-hand exposure to early-stage technologies (TRL 3+), expert insights, and peer-to-peer exchanges.

Through a year-long blend of digital and physical activities, participants explore the long-term implications of deeptech for their company, industry, and society guided by DeepTech Alliance’s network of leading innovation hubs and experts.

This format was first piloted through the Advanced Materials Deep Dives, and its success has paved the way for a broader rollout across new technology domains.

Next-Generation Compute 2026: Unlocking the Next Wave of Digital Transformation

The upcoming Next-Generation Compute 2026 Exploration Program focuses on the technologies shaping the next decade of computing; from AI accelerators, quantum and neuromorphic architectures, to photonics, semiconductors, plastronics, next-generation communication (6G and beyond), and cybersecurity.

This program is designed for corporate employees in long-term roles, such as CTOs, R&D leaders, and strategy executives, who need to understand how the computing landscape will evolve over the next 5–10 years. It also welcomes European deeptech startups (TRL 3+) developing technologies that could redefine the future of computing.

Participants gain:

• Direct access to the people, companies, and insights shaping the future of computing

• First-hand exposure to breakthrough technologies and early-stage innovators

• Exploration Missions to leading hubs and ecosystems

• Thematic CoDive™ sessions and roundtables with subject-matter experts and peers

• Participation in the DTA Explore event, including the dedicated Exploration Track

This is not another foresight report, it’s a hands-on exploration engine built to create better strategies, plans, and investments for the next decade.

Interested in joining?
Corporate partners are invited to contact us or sign up through the program page:
deeptechalliance.org/next-generation-compute-2026

If you’re a startup working on next-generation computing technologies, you can also register your interest on the same page.