Alice at 4YFN
It took me a few days to recover from 4YFN 2025, and even longer to follow up with the incredible people I met. This year’s edition wasn’t just another conference; it was a signal of where European deep tech and impact investing are heading. Here’s a snapshot of the most meaningful moments, conversations, and themes that stuck with me.
One of the most mind-expanding sessions I attended was led by Kimberly Washington from Deep Space Biology. Her talk was a reminder that space isn’t just for rockets—it’s a launchpad for some of the most exciting healthtech innovation on Earth.
Kimberly shared how her team used microgravity to model disease progression, compressing five years of clinical data into just four days. Her example? A digital twin of a diseased liver built using space-derived data and AI. Mind-blowing. It reframed space research not as a luxury, but as a resource for tackling real-world medical challenges faster, better, and at scale.
Her deeper point was this: many everyday technologies (CT scans, insulin pumps….) originated in space. So why do we still think of it as “out there”? For founders working in health, climate, or AI, Kimberly’s message was clear: space is not escapism, it’s acceleration.
Cherry on the cake? How inspiring it was to hear her journey to grow as a female founder in the space industry. Just amazing.
While geopolitical shifts have undeniably pushed defense tech into more investor conversations this year, what stood out most at 4YFN was something else entirely: a strong and sustained focus on health, sustainability, and science-backed innovation. Yes, dual-use technologies and resilient infrastructure are increasingly part of the European deep tech dialogue, but they weren’t the main event.
What truly energized the room were the conversations around biotech, climate, AI for good, and space-enabled health solutions. In particular, the AI and venture capital sessions featuring Kaan Eren, Yoram Wijngaarde, and Fritz Oidtmann brought nuance to the hype vs. reality discussion, with refreshing honesty about how little the fundamentals of VC have actually changed. Their reflections on the limits of data-driven investing and the importance of founder relationships grounded the tech optimism in real-world practice. It felt like a reaffirmation of where the most meaningful opportunities lie: in solutions that improve lives, safeguard the planet, and stretch the limits of what’s possible through science.
The venture playbook may be expanding, but it’s reassuring to see that the heart of deep tech remains focused on building a better, more sustainable future.
Lumobila on the Banco Sabadell Stage.
One of the standout voices at 4YFN was Lubomila Jordanova, founder of Plan A, who delivered a powerful message on aligning climate goals with business strategy. She reframed sustainability not as a side mission, but as a core business imperative, especially for European startups navigating evolving regulations. Her talk tackled the complexities of carbon accounting, the urgent need to bridge financial and non-financial reporting, and the deeper economic truth: “We’re not paying the full price for what we consume: the planet is.” Lubomila’s clarity, data-backed urgency, and ability to connect the dots between climate risk and competitive advantage made her session one of the most relevant and thought-provoking of the week.
Some faces from the Junior Impact VC community in Barcelona.