For an early-stage deep tech fund like ours, Funding Bazaar is an ideal setting to meet research-based teams at a very early stage, gain insights into new technologies, and start relationships that can grow into future investments
Marianne Hyltoft
Partner at PSV Hafnium
Reverse pitching: switching the roles
A special highlight at Funding Bazaar 2025 was the reverse pitching format, where it wasn’t the startups but the investors like PSV Hafnium who presented themselves to the startup and scaleups.
“It was both fun and valuable to stand on the other side. Usually, startups pitch to us, however this time, it was our turn to explain who we are and how we work. It’s a great format and one of the things that makes Funding Bazaar unique,” says Marianne from PSV Hafnium.
The format made it easier to start conversations, as the entrepreneurs quickly gained an understanding of what the funds are looking for and how they operate. Each fund had two minutes to present themselves, their investment focus, and what they typically look for in new cases, a short but effective setup that laid the groundwork for many valuable conversations afterward.
The Strength of Being Based in DTU Science Park
PSV Hafnium is part of PSV and has chosen to be based in DTU Science Park, a decision that, according to the fund, is crucial to their work with early-stage deep tech.
“Being based in DTU Science Park means we are close to DTU’s research environment, industry, and public projects, while also being part of a strong community of startups, accelerators, and investors. It gives us access to the entire ecosystem,” says Marianne.
The physical and professional proximity to DTU and its research environment enables the fund to spot new technological directions and research-based ideas with commercial potential early on. The location also provides access to laboratories, test facilities, and strong academic networks where technologies can mature and scale.
From Funding Bazaar to Investment in Dynelectro
At a previous Funding Bazaar, PSV Hafnium met Dynelectro, a company developing highly efficient SOEC electrolysis systems (solid oxide electrolysis cells). That meeting became the starting point for an investment, and today Dynelectro is working to bring the technology from the lab to commercial application, with the first systems now entering industrial use.
“Dynelectro is a concrete example of how Funding Bazaar can directly lead to investment. That first meeting was the start of our collaboration, and today we’re helping to mature and commercialize their technology,” says Marianne.
A Fund That Takes Technical Risk
PSV Hafnium stands out from most VC funds by investing as early as TRL 3–4, when the technology is still in the development phase.
“We take technical risk and invest early, already when the technology still needs to mature, but when the vision for market impact is clear,” says Marianne.
For a fund investing this early, it’s crucial to meet entrepreneurs at this stage, when relationships can be built before the technology becomes fully investment-ready.
From First Contact to Future Investments
Funding Bazaar 2025 gave PSV Hafnium direct insight into new deep tech startups seeking capital. For Marianne, the day was about spotting the most promising cases and laying the foundation for dialogues that could grow into future investments.
“We saw several exciting technologies and teams with the potential to become investment cases. We’ve already started following up with some of them. Funding Bazaar is exactly the place where that first contact happens and where the journey toward a possible investment begins.”
For PSV Hafnium, Funding Bazaar 2025 was not the end of a single day, however the beginning of a series of new dialogues that will hopefully evolve into future investments and impact.
