Europe’s Hard Tech Renaissance | Panathēnea 2026

Is Europe entering a new era of hard tech innovation? At Panathēnea 2026, Julien Etaix, Founding Partner at Novum Partners, joins Andreas Klinger, Founder of Prototype Capital and EU Inc., alongside Charlie Perreau, Journalist at Les Echos, for a conversation on the resurgence of hard tech across Europe and the forces driving a new generation of ambitious technology companies. From advanced manufacturing and robotics to energy, aerospace, and deep-tech infrastructure, Europe is increasingly emerging as a hub for founders tackling some of the world's most complex technological challenges. The panel explores why hard tech is gaining momentum, the role of capital and policy in supporting innovation, and how Europe's unique strengths in engineering, research, and industrial expertise are creating new opportunities for global leadership. Drawing on perspectives from venture capital, entrepreneurship, and technology journalism, the discussion examines the conditions required to build world-class hard tech companies, the challenges founders face when scaling deep-tech businesses, and what the next decade could hold for Europe's innovation ecosystem. Panathēnea is an international festival bringing together founders, investors, 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.