The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

Established in 2020, the European Innovation Council supports innovative startups and researchers with promising ideas, focusing on early-stage companies with positive environmental, social, or governance impacts. It co-invests alongside private investors.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

Shenzhen Capital Group Co., Ltd (SCGC) is a venture capital firm founded in 1999 by the Shenzhen Government. The company is dedicated to fostering national industries, developing national brands, and promoting economic transformation through investments in emerging sectors. SCGC primarily targets small to medium enterprises and innovative high-tech companies, focusing on those in various stages of growth, including startups and those undergoing transformation. Its investment portfolio spans industries that align with national policy support, such as information technology, internet services, new media, biopharmaceuticals, new energy, environmental protection, chemical engineering, and high-end equipment manufacturing. With a registered capital of 5.42 billion RMB and significant assets under management, SCGC has established itself as a leader in the venture capital landscape, having invested in numerous companies, many of which have achieved public listings across global capital markets.

The EIC Accelerator is a Horizon Europe funding program that provides assistance to start-ups and SMEs that have an innovative, game-changing product, service, or business model that has the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones, and have the ambition and commitment to scale up, are seeking substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors to invest alone

EASME is a European Union executive agency that supports small and medium-sized enterprises and promotes innovation in Europe. It manages projects in the areas of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the environment, energy, and maritime sectors, funded by COSME, LIFE, and EMFF. EASME organizes the European Sustainable Energy Week and serves industries such as environmental management, energy production, and maritime activities.

Founded in 1968, Intel designs, manufactures, and sells essential technologies for cloud, smart, and connected devices worldwide. Its product portfolio includes platform products like central processing units and chipsets, along with non-platform products such as accelerators, boards and systems, connectivity products, and memory and storage products. Intel serves original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and cloud service providers.

SightMD is an integrated provider group specializing in ophthalmology, offering a broad range of eye care services to patients. With access to over 50 ophthalmic surgeons and specialists, the organization aims to deliver comprehensive care in various areas, including laser cataract surgery, lens implantation, glaucoma management, retinal disorder treatment, corneal treatment, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and audiology. By consolidating these services under one roof, SightMD enhances patient access to specialized eye care and aims to improve overall patient outcomes in the field of ophthalmology.

Cowin Capital, established in 2000, is a Shenzhen-based private equity firm specializing in early-stage investments. With 18 years of experience, it focuses on supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises, primarily in the energy, communication, electronics, and environmental protection sectors. Cowin Capital takes a long-term approach, aiming to create value through strategic partnerships and operational support. It has successfully invested in over 300 companies, with 60 becoming publicly listed and 150 achieving successful exits. Notably, Cowin Capital was one of the first venture capital institutions to be listed on the New Third Board (NEEQ) in China.

The Scottish Investment Bank is a public body supporting economic growth in Scotland. It facilitates finance for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on sectors such as renewable energy, technology, life sciences, and creative industries. The bank works closely with portfolio companies to strengthen management teams and accelerate growth.

Princeton Medspa Partners is a company focused on acquiring and developing high-quality medical spas. It operates medical aesthetic clinics that provide a range of services, including laser treatments, medical-grade facials, injectables, clinical skincare, laser hair removal, and body contouring. The company aims to deliver relevant beauty and wellness treatments to clients through its carefully curated offerings. In addition to its spa operations, Princeton Medspa Partners offers business intelligence, marketing, technology, and recruiting services to enhance the performance and growth of its facilities.

Founded in 2007, Innovate UK is a non-profit organization based in Swindon, UK. It supports businesses across various economic sectors by offering funding services to promote science and technology innovations.

Addor Capital is a growth capital investment firm established in 2014 and located in Nanjing, China. The firm specializes in providing investment services by financing early-stage ventures and acquiring securities of various companies. Addor Capital focuses on a diverse range of sectors, including clean technology, health, new materials, advanced manufacturing, consumer services, cultural industries, and technology, media, and telecommunications. Its investment strategy encompasses seed-stage, early-stage, later-stage, and growth-stage companies, primarily within China.

Founded in 1990, IPG Photonics develops and manufactures a range of high-performance fiber lasers, amplifiers, and diode lasers used primarily in materials processing worldwide. Its products cater to diverse applications across industries such as manufacturing, automotive, industrial, aerospace, semiconductor, and consumer markets.

Oriza Holdings is an asset management firm based in Suzhou, China, founded in 2001. The company specializes in providing equity and debt financing solutions to companies at various stages of development, from seed to growth stages. Oriza Holdings operates through multiple investment arms, focusing on sectors such as industrial, healthcare, integrated circuits, and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT). The company also has a professional platform for mergers and acquisitions, known as Oriza Prior, which integrates investment and industrial resources to enhance operational efficiency and maximize investment returns. With a commitment to fostering growth, Oriza Holdings plays a significant role in the Southeast Asian market.

The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund supports early-stage companies spun out of UK research institutions, focusing on innovative technologies and life sciences. Backed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and managed independently by Midven, the fund invests in diverse sectors such as healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing.

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, Germany, specializing in early-stage investments in high-tech startups. Established in 2005, the firm focuses on technology-driven companies across various sectors, including information and communication technology, life sciences, healthcare, automation, and cleantech. HTGF typically invests in companies that have been operational for no more than one year, aiming to contribute up to €0.6 million in initial funding and up to €3 million in follow-on financing. The firm seeks a minority stake, generally around 15%, and provides a subordinated loan convertible into equity, with deferred interest for up to four years to support liquidity. With a total investment volume of approximately €895.5 million across three funds, HTGF has successfully supported over 500 startups and attracted more than €2 billion in follow-on investments from external sources. The firm's investors include notable public and private entities, underscoring its role as a key player in fostering innovation and growth within the German startup ecosystem.

Coherent is a global manufacturer of laser and laser-based solutions for industrial, commercial, and scientific applications. It designs, manufactures, markets, and services lasers, laser tools, precision optics, and related accessories, as well as laser measurement and control products, and it operates in two segments: OEM Laser Sources and Industrial Lasers & Systems. Its products support microelectronics, materials processing, original equipment manufacturer components and instrumentation, and scientific research and government programs. The company markets its products through a direct sales force in the United States and internationally. Founded in 1966, Coherent is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Founded in 1995, Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Germany. It specializes in growth capital investments, focusing on high-tech companies in sectors such as biotechnology, IT, and environmental technology. The firm primarily invests in small and medium-sized companies located exclusively in Bavaria, with typical investment amounts ranging from €0.25 million to €9 million.

Founded in 2018, Quantonation is a Paris-based venture capital firm focused on investing in deep physics, molecular design, high-performance calculation, cybersecurity, ultra-precise sensing, and quantum technologies. The company aims to support the transition of these innovative technologies into commercially available products for industry.

Founded in 1995, SOSV is a global venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey. It focuses on seed-to-growth stage investments in deep tech innovations, primarily in bio-tech/life sciences and hardware/robotics sectors, with a commitment to human and planetary health.

Lockheed Martin Ventures, established in 2014, is a venture capital arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation. It focuses on investing in early-stage companies specializing in advanced technologies such as autonomous systems, cybersecurity, space technologies, and artificial intelligence.

Vision Innovation Partners operates healthcare centers specializing in ophthalmology within the Mid-Atlantic region. The company utilizes advanced LASIK technology, which employs laser light pulses to create a customized corneal flap, facilitating effective treatments for various eye-related issues. By providing these services in state-of-the-art surgical facilities, Vision Innovation Partners aims to offer patients accessible and affordable solutions for their vision needs.

HAX is a global venture capital-backed program dedicated to accelerating startups with a hardware element. Operating across San Francisco and Shenzhen, HAX focuses on rapid prototyping and iteration, helping teams refine their products, business plans, and launch strategies. The program culminates in market readiness support, including introductions to corporates, investors, partners, and press, as well as securing funding and gaining traction.

Fortune Capital, established in 2000, is a Shenzhen-based venture capital firm. It focuses on investing in leading companies across four key sectors: Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT), Consumer Goods/Services, Modern Agriculture, and Clean Tech. The firm is known for its high performance and has received several industry recognitions. Apart from providing capital, Fortune Capital offers personalized value-added services to its investee companies.

Supernova Invest, established in 1999, is a Paris-based private equity and venture capital firm with additional offices in Grenoble. It manages a €800m fund, Supernova 2, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on deep technology companies across sectors such as healthcare, industry 4.0, energy & environment, and digital technologies. It provides patient capital and expertise to support high-growth startups, with a track record of successful exits through IPOs and M&As. Supernova Invest partners with CEA Investissement to offer startups access to the CEA network and services.

Venture Kick is a Swiss initiative supporting early-stage startups with pre-seed funding and entrepreneurial training. It has awarded over CHF 24.9 million to 600 projects, creating 6,033 jobs and attracting subsequent investments worth CHF 2.49 billion.

FARO Technologies, Inc. specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing software-driven three-dimensional (3D) measurement and imaging solutions on a global scale. The company operates through three primary segments: 3D Manufacturing, Construction BIM, and Emerging Verticals. Its product offerings include the FaroArm, FARO ScanArm, FARO Design ScanArm 2.5C, FARO Laser Tracker, and FARO Focus laser scanner, all of which are designed for high-precision measurement and data collection in various industries. FARO's software solutions complement its hardware, enabling users to capture and manipulate both 3D and 2D data effectively. The company's technology serves a diverse range of applications, including manufacturing, architecture, surveying, building information modeling, construction, public safety forensics, and cultural heritage. Founded in 1981, FARO is headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida, with additional locations in Germany and Singapore, supporting a global customer base of approximately 15,000 users.

Established in 1986, Korea Investment Partners is a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in Seoul. With over three decades of experience, the company invests globally in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Notable investments include Kakao, Naver, YG Entertainment, and Didi Chuxing. The firm manages multiple funds with total assets under management exceeding US$1.8 billion.

EXTOLL is a technology company founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the University of Heidelberg, with support from the German EXIST program. Its core intellectual property, developed by the computer architecture group co-founded by Ulrich Brüning, concerns high-density Active Optical Cable interconnects for computing clusters and was exclusively licensed to EXTOLL. The technology enables longer-distance signal transmission than purely electrical interconnects and underpins a complete product solution for interconnecting clusters ranging from a few nodes to 64,000 nodes.

Founded in 2017, IAG Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. It invests in seed to series C rounds across various stages and structures.

Founded in 2005, True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology startups. With over $3 billion under management, they focus on seed and Series A financing across sectors like commerce, consumer, hardware, health, and infrastructure technologies.

Oriza Seed Venture Capital, located in Suzhou Industrial Park, is held by Suzhou Oriza Holdings Ltd. Oriza Seed is a market-oriented investment platform. It looks for investment opportunities among early-stage and growth-stage enterprises in the fields of Healthcare and TMT. Oriza Seed has ample resources and experiences investing in the healthcare field. By late March 2016, Oriza Seed has invested in more than 50 healthcare companies, including Ascentage Pharma, Innovent Biologics, and SceneRay Corporation.

A corporate venture capital arm of Safran SA, established in 2015. It invests in early-stage startups and innovative SMEs focused on greener aviation, connected aviation, advanced materials, industry 4.0, robotics, sensors, energy storage, and smart objects. Primarily investing in Europe and North America, with a focus on the United States, Safran Corporate Ventures prefers minority investments ranging from $1 million to $8 million.

SND Ventures Group, also known as Suzhou High-Tech Venture Capital Group Co. Ltd., is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Suzhou, China. Founded in July 2008, it focuses on seed investments and plays a key role in managing the Suzhou New District Venture Capital Investment Guiding Fund, which is established by the government. The firm aims to support innovative startups and foster economic growth in the region through targeted investments.

POSTECH Holdings is an investment firm specializing in technology-based startups, focusing on accelerating their growth and value. With a strategic approach to investing, the company aims to support innovative businesses and help them reach their full potential. By providing financial backing and expertise, POSTECH Holdings plays a crucial role in nurturing and developing emerging technologies and disruptive business ideas.

Resonetics, founded in 1987, specializes in laser micromachining technology for the fabrication of medical devices and diagnostic components, achieving features as small as two microns. Although the company initially served various industries, it has concentrated exclusively on the life sciences sector since 2004, which now constitutes the entirety of its business focus. Resonetics offers a range of micro-manufacturing services, including thin wall tubing, laser processing, nitinol processing, and metal fabrication, as well as finished device assembly and packaging. These capabilities enable clients to introduce innovative products to the life sciences market, ultimately enhancing healthcare outcomes.

Innovacom is a Paris-based venture capital firm founded in 1988 that invests in digital and technology companies across Europe. It supports startups by facilitating access to new technologies, hardware and software products, and by providing networking and partnerships to create financial and strategic value in an open-innovation context.

Luminate is a startup accelerator based in Rochester, NY, funded by New York State, and focused on advancing next-generation optics, photonics, and imaging-enabled companies. The company is looking for visionary entrepreneurs working on solutions in areas such as augmented and virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, machine vision, and biophotonics. With a specific focus on difficult problems in the industry, Luminate provides support and resources to help these companies succeed in the optics and imaging capital of the world.

Business Growth Fund, established in 2011, is a prominent investor in small and mid-sized businesses, offering patient capital and strategic support to growing companies and ambitious entrepreneurs. As the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in small and medium-sized companies, they have £2.5bn to support businesses across various sectors and regions. With 14 offices, they are closely connected to the businesses they invest in. Boasting a team of over 150 professionals and a network of board-level executives, they aim to drive economic activity by enabling entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses and contribute to increased employment, exports, and overall growth. The companies in their portfolio collectively employ close to 50,000 people, highlighting their significant impact on the business landscape.

European Investment Bank is the EU's long-term lending institution owned by its member states. It finances public and private sector projects across transportation, energy, telecommunications, health, education, water, housing, and other sectors in the European Union and beyond. The bank provides a range of financing tools including project loans, guarantees, debt and equity investments, and risk-sharing arrangements, as well as microfinance and venture capital funds. It also offers advisory services, infrastructure funding, and support for urban development, PPPs, and sustainable energy projects. Through infrastructure and environmental funds and partnerships with banks and intermediaries, it supports SMEs, innovation, and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Founded in 1930, AMETEK is a manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices, operating over 40 autonomous businesses across research, aerospace, energy, medical, and manufacturing industries. It segments its business into two groups: Electronic Instruments Group (EIG) offering analytical, test, and measurement instruments; and Electromechanical Group (EMG) providing highly engineered components, interconnects, and specialty metals.

Tengelmann Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Essen, Germany, established in 2009. The firm focuses on empowering the next generation of consumer-centric entrepreneurs in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business sectors. Tengelmann Ventures invests in early-stage companies that operate within the realms of consumer internet, digital services, and emerging technologies, aiming to support innovative solutions and drive growth in these dynamic fields.

Founded in 2013, CAS Star is a venture capital firm based in Xi'an with an additional office in Beijing. It invests in and supports early-stage companies across various high-tech industries including optoelectronics, AI, biotechnology, aerospace, smart manufacturing, information technology, energy, oncology, advanced manufacturing, SaaS, and space technology.

Hua Capital Management Co., Ltd is a venture capital firm based in China that specializes in investments within the semiconductor industry and its related sectors. Founded by a team of experienced professionals from the semiconductor field, including members from Tsinghua Holdings and China Fortune-Tech Capital, the firm emphasizes a focused investment strategy that leverages deep industry expertise. Hua Capital's team comprises seasoned entrepreneurs and investment professionals, each possessing over 20 years of experience in semiconductor entrepreneurship, management, and investing. The firm engages in buyouts and invests across all stages of company development, aiming to enhance the value and synergy of its portfolio companies. By providing professional operations, management, and value-added services, Hua Capital seeks to position its investments as leaders in the semiconductor market.

TRUMPF is a high-technology company that manufactures sheet metal fabrication machinery, power tools, industrial lasers, and medical technologies. It provides production solutions across machine tool, laser and electronics sectors and drives digital connectivity in manufacturing through consulting, platforms and software offerings. As an independent, family-owned business, TRUMPF operates with a long-term perspective and sustains its innovative strength. The company serves global markets and is recognized as a leader in machine tools and laser technology, delivering systems such as laser cutting, welding, marking and additive production equipment that optimize upstream and downstream manufacturing processes.

China Merchants Capital Management Co., Ltd (CMC), established in 2012, is an asset management firm headquartered in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. As a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, CMC focuses on alternative investments and capital market opportunities, aiming to foster new industries through strategic investments. The company integrates resources within its parent group to leverage synergies between the financial sector and other industries. CMC's investment strategy primarily targets sectors such as infrastructure, medical and pharmaceutical, life sciences, new energy, hard technology, and financial services. By actively engaging in the restructuring of Chinese state-owned enterprises and promoting industrial upgrades, CMC seeks to align its investment activities with the broader trends of new urbanization and economic development in China.

Atom Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2011 and based in Shanghai, China. The firm focuses on investing in start-ups and early-stage companies across various sectors, including smart hardware, smart manufacturing, healthcare, internet, mobile internet, pan-entertainment, and online-to-offline services. Atom Ventures has a diverse investment portfolio that encompasses media, gaming, automotive, internet technology, education, and e-commerce, among others. The company aims to support innovative entrepreneurs and facilitate growth in dynamic markets.

Established in Seoul, South Korea in 2006, L&S Venture Capital is a venture capital firm focusing on incubation, seed, early, and expansion stage investments. The company primarily invests in South Korean technology sectors such as semiconductors, materials, components, equipment, artificial intelligence, internet of things, cloud, big data, mobile & network, medicine, medical devices, and e-healthcare.

AQUA Dermatology is a comprehensive skin care provider in the Southeast region. They offer medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services, delivered by a team of experienced professionals.