Rebuilding the Backbone: Europe’s Critical Industries Are Back | Panathēnea 2026

Is Europe entering a new era of industrial innovation? At Panathēnea 2026, Hampus Jakobsson, General Partner at Pale Blue Dot, joins Devika Thapar, Partner at Wilbe, Sam Cash, Founder and Managing Partner of Entropy Industrial Capital, and Benjamin Tincq, Co-Founder of Marble, for a conversation on the resurgence of Europe's critical industries and the technologies driving a new industrial renaissance. From manufacturing and advanced materials to energy, climate technology, and industrial infrastructure, founders and investors are increasingly turning their attention to sectors that are essential to Europe's long-term resilience and competitiveness. The discussion explores why industrial innovation is once again attracting talent and capital, and how deep-tech startups are redefining industries once seen as slow to evolve. Drawing on perspectives from venture capital and company-building, the panel examines the opportunities and challenges of investing in industrial technologies, supporting long development cycles, and building companies capable of strengthening Europe's economic and technological foundations. Whether you're a founder, investor, engineer, policymaker, or technology enthusiast, this session offers valuable insights into the future of Europe's industrial economy and the startups shaping it. Panathēnea is an international festival bringing together founders, investors, scientists, artists, and innovators to explore the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and culture in Athens. The 2026 edition welcomed more than 11,500 participants from over 60 countries.