Partner Arianna Tibuzzi on why technical background matters for deep-tech VC investment decisions.

“My research background makes it possible to quickly build trust with scientific founders. This is a real unfair advantage that repeatedly helped me close important deals, where founders preferred someone that completely understands their values, shares their passion and speaks their language.”

This is the key take from our Partner Arianna Tibuzzi, who contributed to the study by The Big Search exploring whether and how a technical background helps when making VC investment decisions in deep tech.

The research analyzed 115 European specialist funds and 549 investors, starting from a fact: investing in deep tech means dealing with years of R&D, long development cycles and often limited or no commercial traction. To navigate this, investors need to properly understand technical risk.
Yet many founders feel this is exactly where investors fall short.

The data supports this perception:
• 53% of European deep tech VCs do not have a STEM education
• 82% lack hands-on deep tech operating experience
• 74% do not have a research background
This is striking, considering the scientific and engineering complexity of the companies they back.

The article’s findings have also been included in the newly published 2026 European DeepTech Report by Dealroom.co.
Link to article: https://lnkd.in/eia7vvWM
Link to 2026 EU DeepTech Report: https://lnkd.in/e5HB7_7H

Grateful to Elena Obukhova and Benjamin Lussert for the invitation to share our perspective and for the support, and happy to be in such good company with Riemer Smink (FORWARD.one), Johannes von Borries (UVC Partners) and Simone Lavizzari (Join Capital GmbH).