Capital for Deep Tech: Investing in Systems Innovation | Milan Longevity Summit 2026

*The technologies with the potential to transform entire systems are often the hardest ones to finance. So how do we close the gap between breakthrough science and real-world impact?* Deep tech is pushing the boundaries of what is possible across health, biotechnology, food, climate, materials, energy, and artificial intelligence. But turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable solutions requires far more than a promising idea. In this panel from the *Milan Longevity Summit 2026*, *Diana Saraceni, Sergio Strozzi, Peter Kruger, and Alessandro Lattuada* join moderator *Guido Cornettone* to explore what it takes to build, finance, and scale technologies capable of driving systemic change. Deep tech operates differently from conventional innovation. Development cycles are often longer, scientific and regulatory risks are higher, capital requirements can be significant, and successful commercialisation may depend on collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, governments, and international markets. The conversation explores how investment models need to evolve to respond to these realities. Where should venture capital take risk, and where is patient or public capital required? How can governments create stronger ecosystems for research commercialisation and international growth? What role can established industry play in helping emerging technologies reach the market? And how do investors identify innovations capable of creating not only successful companies, but meaningful transformation across entire systems? Bringing together perspectives from *venture capital, government, industry, life sciences, and innovation*, the panel examines how different forms of capital and expertise can work together to bridge the difficult journey from breakthrough discovery to adoption and scale. *Participants:* • Diana Saraceni – Co-founder & General Partner, Panakès Partners • Sergio Strozzi – Diplomat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation • Peter Kruger – Venture Partner, Big Idea Ventures • Alessandro Lattuada – Managing Director, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Italy & IAG Member • Moderated by Guido Cornettone – Chief Executive Officer, SoLongevity Ultimately, investing in deep tech is about more than financing the next generation of companies. *It is about building the conditions in which science, capital, industry, and policy can come together to turn breakthrough innovation into solutions capable of reshaping the systems on which our future depends.* *Powered by @FinecoLive * The Milan Longevity Summit brings together global leaders across science, policy, business, technology and society to explore longevity through a *One Health* perspective, connecting the health of people with the health of our societies, economies, and planet. *Learn more about the Milan Longevity Summit:* https://www.milanlongevitysummit.org/it/speakers26 #MilanLongevitySummit #DeepTech #VentureCapital #SystemsInnovation #Technology #Innovation #LifeSciences #Investment #OneHealth #FutureOfTechnology