Ian Firla

CEE Deep Tech: Turning Technical Strength into Commercial Value

Europe has scientific talent, promising technologies and substantial capital. The challenge is connecting them to build commercially viable businesses—and capturing more of the value they create. Drawing on nearly two decades of building an international business, developing spin-outs and completing an exit, Ian Firla will offer an operator’s investment perspective on CEE deeptech. He will examine what has changed since last year’s Summit, how the region’s opportunity compares with Western Europe and North America, and what conversations with investors while building New Wave VC reveal about the distance between technical promise and an investable business. His central argument: CEE’s opportunity rests on its ability to turn scientific strength into customer demand, commercial execution, and credible investor returns. Realizing it will require founders, investors, and institutions to work towards the same commercial outcomes.

• Panel

• Ian FirlaNew Wave VCIan FirlaManaging Partner, New Wave VCIan Firla is an entrepreneur and investor who co-founded OSTC Group and helped build it into an international business over nearly two decades. During that time, he helped develop and spin out businesses in financial education and foreign exchange, and was a finalist in the European Business Awards. Following the sale of OSTC's operating business in 2024, Ian has focused on advising founders and leadership teams on growth, strategy and execution. At New Wave VC, he brings the perspective of someone who has built businesses, navigated their challenges and taken them through an exit.

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