The BSC AI Factory took part in South Summit 2026, held on 3 to 5 June at La Nave, Madrid. One of Europe's most prominent innovation gatherings, South Summit brings together startups, investors and corporations with a shared focus on investment, growth and international reach.
On 3 June, Mariona Sanz Ausas, Head of Innovation and Business Development at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and Lead of the BSC AI Factory, took to the Arena Stage as part of the panel "Building Europe's Next Deep Tech Champions." The invitation came through the BSC AI Factory's strong relationship with BStartup Banco Sabadell, reflecting the value of the partnerships the BSC AI Factory has been building across the European innovation ecosystem. The session was moderated by Yolanda Perez Saez, Director of BStartup Banco Sabadell. Joining Mariona on the panel were Samuele Grandi, CEO and Co-founder of Arq Quantum Technologies, Montserrat Vendrell, Partner at Asabys Partners, and Rodrigo Hernandez, Generative AI Director at Multiverse Computing.
The conversation centred on a theme gaining momentum across the European innovation landscape: deep tech as a strategic lever for greater technological autonomy. Mariona used the platform to showcase the BSC AI Factory's unique offer, presenting it as a key enabler for startups and companies looking to access world-class supercomputing infrastructure, AI expertise and innovation support to accelerate their deep tech ambitions. As she put it,"Deep Tech is the opportunity to increase European technological autonomy - this is breathed in all the conversations I am having with investors, start-ups, administrations." Discussions also touched on the distinct funding challenges facing deep tech startups, which require longer development timelines and carry deeper technical risks than more generalist technology ventures. This dynamic often leads investors to adopt a more cautious stance, making access to financing a far more demanding long-distance race for these companies. "There is still a long way to go to really strengthen the commitment to Deep Tech," Mariona noted.
Mariona also had the opportunity to explore these themes beyond the main stage, engaging with Uruguayan technology companies from the Cuti association at a dinner with Minister Counsellor Alison Grana. The conversations there highlighted Uruguay's strong commitment to innovation, high connectivity and growing penetration of renewable energies, a reminder that the deep tech conversation is not confined to Europe.
The BSC AI Factory's participation at South Summit reflects its active role in shaping the European deep tech agenda. The message is clear: the will to strengthen commitment to deep tech is growing among investors, startups and public administrations alike, but there is still significant ground to cover to translate that ambition into structural, lasting support.
