Innovation, ambition, and brilliant ideas came together yesterday in the Pitch Storm finals, an online pitching competition designed to showcase Europe’s most promising startups. From a large pool of applicants, only 10 startups made it to the finals: P3 Therapeutics, Tofant, Luxyon, TINFE, Fibryion, CyberArrange Security Solutions, factorymaker, infrared.city, Arkensight, and Romb Technologies.
Each team had 3 minutes to pitch in front of a panel of expert judges: Božidar Pavlović from AYMO Ventures, Izet Ždralović from Silicon Gardens, Ondrej Lipold from Tensor Ventures, and Philipp Berr from Deep Tech Momentum. This was followed by 5 minutes of dedicated Q&A, during which the judges evaluated the innovation, feasibility, and potential impact of each idea.
Meet the winners
After a series of exciting and intense presentations, three startups stood out:
1st Place: factorymaker (Vienna, Austria) – Representative: Maria Antonia Zahlbruckner
factorymaker is an adaptive industrial planning platform that unifies site, building, and process in a single generative model. It enables early simulations, scenario trade-offs, and code-compliant checks to support confident decision-making before costly commitments. A living project record keeps knowledge up-to-date, allowing adaptations and expansions to move quickly as needs change.
2nd Place: Arkensight (Zagreb, Croatia) – Representative: Domagoj Ćorić
Arkensight develops software for drone operators that accelerates and simplifies the processing of data collected during and after flights. By fusing natural language, visual data, and drone sensors, Arkensight links words to what the drone sees, opening new possibilities for operators worldwide.
3rd Place: Luxyon (Zagreb, Croatia) – Representative: Stjepan Dolić
Luxyon develops lightweight and flexible solar cells that surpass the limitations of today’s rigid and heavy solar technology, all in an environmentally friendly way. Thanks to these properties, they enable easy integration of solar energy into a much wider range of surfaces, including drones, transportation vehicles, agricultural structures, and consumer electronics.
About the events
By joining forces with Deep Tech Momentum, we opened doors to some of Europe’s most important deep tech networks.
1st Place won
- Golden Ticket for Deep Tech Momentum (Berlin) – 2 tickets + 1 startup pod (Value: €1,999)
- 2× Startup Tickets for Liftoff (Zagreb)
2nd Place won
- 2× 50% discount on Golden Ticket for Deep Tech Momentum (Berlin)
- 2× Startup Tickets for Liftoff (Zagreb)
3rd Place won
- 2× Startup Tickets for Liftoff (Zagreb)
These tickets provide direct access to high-quality networks, investors, and founders shaping the future of deep tech in Europe.
Deep Tech Momentum – 20-21 May 2026, Berlin
Deep Tech Momentum (DTM) is Europe’s leading platform for deep tech and AI innovation. Taking place on 20-21 May 2026, at Wilhelm Studios Berlin, the event connects startups, scaleups, investors, corporates, and decision-makers. DTM focuses on commercially ready and next-horizon technologies across AI, energy, defence, manufacturing & robotics, space, high-performance computing, advanced materials, and frontier tech. Through curated matchmaking, pitch formats, and targeted programs, DTM enables partnerships, investments, and technology adoption at scale.
Nuqleus Liftoff – 30 June – 1 July 2026, Zagreb
Liftoff is one of the largest deep tech conferences in the Central and Eastern Europe region. Happening on 30 June – 1 July 2026 in Mozaik Center in Zagreb, it connects scientists, startups, investors, and industry leaders while accelerating the growth of the regional deep tech ecosystem. The conference serves as a meeting point for CEE deep tech ecosystem, and a window into the region’s talent, technologies, and ambition for the wider EU. Startups gain selective access to investors, corporate partners, and programs designed to support pilot projects and scaling across Europe.
Looking Ahead
Pitch Storm, held in collaboration with our partners Deep Tech Momentum, once again showed us how vibrant, ambitious, and full of untapped potential the European startup ecosystem is. We look forward to the next generation of entrepreneurs who will take the stage and leave their mark.
Congratulations to all participants, we wish you the very best on your journey to success.
Here’s to innovation, bold ideas, and the startups shaping our future!
