Building Hardware Deeptech in the AI Era: Europe’s Next Industrial Frontier with Andi Hektor

Join Andi Hektor, CEO & Co-founder of mu-ray.tech and serial deeptech founder, in a fascinating conversation with Gary Fowler as they explore what it really takes to build hardware deeptech companies—and whether AI is accelerating or complicating that journey. From Europe’s evolving deeptech ecosystem to the impact of defense innovation and shifting US geopolitics, this episode offers a rare look into the future of industrial-scale science startups.🎯 Insights You’ll Learn:✓ What it takes to build and scale hardware deeptech companies✓ Does AI actually speed up deeptech innovation—or raise the bar?✓ How Europe’s deeptech landscape differs from the US✓ Why defense, nuclear, and industrial markets are driving new demand✓ The transition from academic physics to commercial deeptech✓ How geopolitics and AI investment cycles are reshaping innovation priorities✓ Lessons from building frontier technology with real-world applications🌍 Why This Matters:Deeptech is entering a new era where AI, defense innovation, and geopolitical shifts are converging. Europe is emerging as a critical hub for industrial, scientific, and security-focused breakthroughs—and companies like mu-ray.tech are leading the way by transforming decades of fundamental research into scalable, mission-critical solutions.👤 Expert Background:• CEO & Co-founder of mu-ray.tech — pioneering Muon Beam Imaging (MBI)• Serial deeptech founder with ventures in Germany and Estonia• Former CERN researcher contributing to the discovery of the Higgs Boson• Leader in the shift from passive muon tomography to AI-driven muon sources• Building solutions for non-destructive testing, quality assurance, and 3D imaging• Serving defense, nuclear, chemical, and aerospace industries• Member of the Estonian Government’s Innovation Council advising on R&D policy🎙️ Hosted by Gary Fowler, CEO of GSD Venture Studios — global AI entrepreneur, investor, and innovation leader spotlighting founders transforming science into scalable industrial impact.💡 Perfect For:Deeptech founders, hardware entrepreneurs, AI innovators, defense and industrial leaders, policymakers, investors, and anyone interested in the future of European innovation.🚀 Timely Topic:As AI, defense spending, and global politics reshape technology priorities, deeptech founders must navigate longer cycles, higher stakes, and unprecedented opportunity—and mu-ray.tech is at the center of that shift.Subscribe for more global founder conversations from GSD Venture Studios: https://gsdvs.com#DeepTech #HardwareStartups #EuropeanInnovation #DefenseTech #IndustrialAI #MuonImaging #3DImaging #NonDestructiveTesting #ScienceToStartup #AIinHardware #Geopolitics #GaryFowler #AndiHektor #muRayTech #TopGlobalStartups #GSDVentureStudios