A new initiative aims to bolster Europe's position in critical frontier technologies. Ignite Next has launched as a pan-European, non-dilutive scale-up program designed to bridge the persistent gap between early-stage deep tech innovation and industrial-scale commercial success, building on the legacy of the Intel Ignite program.
Quick Intel
Ignite Next launches as an independent, non-dilutive scale-up program for European deep tech.
It bridges the gap between Pre-Seed/Seed startups and Series B, focusing on IP-heavy technologies.
Core technology partners include Infineon and Intel, providing expertise and market access.
The program is highly selective, taking ~10 startups from over 300 applications per cohort.
It is headquartered in Dresden, Germany, at the heart of Silicon Saxony's semiconductor ecosystem.
The model focuses on hands-on mentorship from 300+ senior industry experts.
A New Model for Scaling Frontier Tech
Created by the former leadership of the Intel Ignite program, Ignite Next operates as an independent entity designed to be the "missing link" between startups and industry. Unlike traditional accelerators, it offers hands-on, non-dilutive support to help founders scale breakthrough technologies in fields like semiconductors, photonics, quantum computing, and AI from the Pre-Seed stage to Series B and beyond.
Addressing Europe's Scale-Up Challenge
The program directly tackles a well-documented European challenge: strong scientific innovation that often struggles to reach global commercial scale. By partnering with world-leading technology corporations, Ignite Next provides founders with direct access to industry expertise, technical validation, and decision-makers. This collaborative model aims to accelerate time to market and strengthen investor readiness for Europe's most ambitious deep tech ventures.
A Founder-First, High-Touch Approach
Ignite Next's structure is built on a founder-first philosophy, allowing startups to scale without sacrificing equity. Its high-touch methodology is guided by a network of over 300 senior industry mentors who provide technical and commercial guidance. This selective, referral-driven program focuses on tangible outcomes, helping startups progress from lab breakthroughs to companies with global traction and investment.
Strengthening the European Ecosystem
Headquartered in Dresden within the vital Silicon Saxony semiconductor cluster, Ignite Next underscores its commitment to pan-European collaboration. The program seeks to unite industrial, academic, and venture networks to build global category leaders from European innovation. By facilitating early and deep partnerships between corporates and startups, it aims to reinforce Europe's supply chain resilience and competitive position in critical deep tech sectors.
About Ignite Next:
Ignite Next is Europe's scale-up program for deep tech innovation, founded by the former Intel Ignite leadership team and now independently operated. The program accelerates early-stage, high-impact startups developing breakthrough technologies in semiconductors, physical AI, advanced computing, and other frontier domains. Non-dilutive and founder-first, Ignite Next partners with leading technology companies - including Infineon and Intel - to connect startups with world-class technical and business expertise, turning breakthrough innovation into breakout success.
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