Phystech Ventures is an early-stage deeptech VC dedicated to fueling the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.
Seed and Series A
Phystech Ventures is a leading deeptech venture capital fund focused on supporting the next generation of scientific breakthroughs. The firm specialises in backing deeptech startups that use core scientific advancements to deliver disruptive solutions and transform entire industries. Phystech Ventures is committed to accelerating innovative technologies by investing in founders who leverage fundamental science to solve complex problems and create significant impact across global markets.
Phystech Ventures’ mission is to advance scientific progress and nurture transformational innovation by investing in deeptech companies that address complex global challenges. The firm is dedicated to enabling exceptional founders whose work leverages fundamental science to develop innovative solutions with the potential to redefine industries and improve the quality of life worldwide. Phystech Ventures strives to serve as a catalyst for groundbreaking technologies that create lasting value for society and the global economy.
Goals
Phystech Ventures aims to:
Values
Phystech Ventures’ core values are anchored in scientific excellence, integrity, and forward thinking. The firm champions transparency and open dialogue in all its partnerships, believing that trust and shared purpose are essential for solving complex challenges. Phystech Ventures prioritises long-term impact over short-term gains, supporting companies whose technologies have the potential to drive real progress and sustainable value. The team encourages curiosity, creativity, and daring within its culture, maintaining the highest standards of ethics and accountability throughout its operations and investment decisions.
Phystech Ventures was founded in 2013 by Petr Lukyanov and Olga Maslikhova, who shared a vision of bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial innovation. Petr Lukyanov, the firm’s managing partner and co-founder, has a strong background in investment analysis and fund management, previously serving as Investment Director at the Skolkovo Foundation and Ruvento Ventures. Olga Maslikhova, also a co-founder, brings significant experience in early-stage investments and technology transfer, with a particular focus on deeptech sectors such as mobility and IoT. Together, they set out to build a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting science-driven startups and accelerating their path to market.
The founders recognised early on that many of the world’s most promising technologies emerge from academic research but often lack the capital and strategic support to scale. Phystech Ventures was established to address this gap by investing in technologically complex, early-stage companies and providing them with expert guidance and access to a global network. Their combined expertise and long-term commitment have shaped Phystech Ventures into a notable player in deeptech investment, focused on creating lasting impact through science-based innovation.
Explore the founders professional journeys: Petr Lukyanov, Olga Maslikhova.
Phystech Ventures invests in early-stage companies developing deeptech innovations that leverage fundamental scientific advancements to create transformative solutions. The firm’s primary objective is to back technologies with the potential to disrupt existing markets and address complex global challenges through scientific excellence.
Geographic Scope
Phystech Ventures invests in startups across multiple countries, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. The firm actively supports spin-offs from leading universities and research institutions worldwide, providing founders with access to a global network of investors, industry experts, and corporates.
Sectors of Interest
Phystech Ventures focuses on deeptech sectors where core science unlocks new capabilities, including:
To be considered for investment, companies must:
These criteria ensure Phystech Ventures supports pioneering deeptech companies capable of delivering transformative technological and societal impact alongside commercial success.
Phystech Ventures follows a thorough, multi-stage assessment process to identify and invest in the most promising deeptech startups. The process begins with an initial review of the company’s scientific innovation, the founding team’s expertise, and the feasibility of the technology. Founders are expected to demonstrate a strong technical foundation alongside a clear vision for commercialisation.
Once the initial screening is complete, Phystech Ventures engages directly with the founders to evaluate the technology’s readiness, market potential, and strategic fit. This includes detailed discussions on the business model, growth plans, and funding requirements.
For opportunities that advance, Phystech Ventures conducts comprehensive due diligence, which covers scientific validation, market analysis, financial projections, legal review, and assessment of scalability. The investment committee then reviews all findings to confirm alignment with the fund’s mission of supporting science-based entrepreneurship and delivering both commercial and societal impact.
Phystech Ventures also consults external technical and sector experts when necessary to validate complex aspects of the technology and market positioning. This rigorous approach ensures investments are well-founded and positioned for long-term success within the deeptech ecosystem.
Phystech Ventures has built a portfolio of pioneering deeptech startups developing breakthrough technologies across next-generation computing, life sciences, energy, mobility, and space. Each company is selected for its long-term potential to drive technological transformation and create significant global impact.
ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia is a leader in hydrogen-electric propulsion for aviation, developing zero-emission powertrains to replace traditional aircraft engines. The company is working to enable cleaner, quieter, and more economical flight, with hydrogen-electric engines targeting both retrofit and new airframes. Visit ZeroAvia.
Osome
Osome is a platform providing digital business management solutions, including accounting, incorporation, and corporate compliance. Osome leverages automation and AI to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in managing business operations worldwide, with a strong presence in Singapore and the UK. Visit Osome.
MEL Science
MEL Science creates immersive, hands-on STEM education kits and content for children, delivering safe, interactive science experiments and AR/VR-enabled learning experiences at home. Phystech Ventures’ investment has supported MEL Science in scaling globally as digital education surges in demand. Visit MEL Science.
Phystech Ventures is supported primarily by private investors, including experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and high net worth individuals. Many of its backers have strong ties to scientific and academic communities, particularly alumni from leading technical universities. The firm’s investor base includes prominent technology founders and venture professionals from multiple countries, reflecting its international reach.
The fund raises capital mainly through private venture capital vehicles, with Phystech Ventures I being its flagship fund. It focuses on early-stage deeptech companies and operates across Europe, North America, and Asia. The firm frequently co-invests alongside other venture funds and family offices, leveraging a blended funding approach to maximise support and follow-on opportunities for portfolio companies.
Phystech Ventures does not rely on public sector or government funding programmes but instead draws on commercially driven private capital. Its extensive network of investors and scientific partners helps source deals, provide expertise, and mobilise additional capital to accelerate portfolio growth.
Stages
Phystech Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, primarily at the seed and Series A stages. The firm supports startups from initial market entry through early growth and scaling phases.
Equity
Investments are typically made on an equity basis. Deal sizes generally range from around $100,000 to $1 million, depending on the company’s stage and capital requirements.
Funds
Phystech Ventures manages venture capital funds dedicated to deeptech sectors, including its flagship Phystech Ventures I fund. These funds target breakthrough scientific innovations across sectors such as next-generation computing, life sciences, energy, mobility, and space.
Recent Developments
Phystech Ventures continues to invest regularly, supporting a portfolio of startups developing transformative technologies. Recent investments include participation in seed and Series B rounds across multiple countries and sectors, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to advancing early-stage deeptech companies globally.
Phystech Ventures is committed to generating measurable social and environmental impact alongside strong financial returns. The firm focuses on backing deeptech companies whose scientific innovations address pressing global challenges and contribute to sustainable development. Phystech Ventures actively supports responsible business practices within its portfolio, encouraging companies to adopt high standards of governance, sustainability, and ethical conduct.
The firm assesses impact by aligning its investments with key global goals, supporting technologies that promote societal benefits such as clean energy, advanced healthcare, and efficient resource use. Phystech Ventures aims to back companies that create lasting value for both the economy and society, ensuring innovations lead to positive change on a global scale.
Phystech Ventures fosters a collaborative and engaged community of founders, investors, and scientific experts. It brings together a network of industry professionals, academic partners, and venture capitalists who share a dedication to advancing scientific entrepreneurship and deeptech innovation. The firm organises events, workshops, and forums that encourage knowledge sharing, deal collaboration, and mentorship.
Additionally, Phystech Ventures works closely with its portfolio companies, providing ongoing strategic support and access to a broad network of partners and co-investors. This active community approach nurtures innovation and helps startups overcome challenges on their path to commercial success, creating a vibrant ecosystem that advances breakthrough technologies for global impact.
Phystech Ventures is led by a skilled management team with deep expertise in venture capital, scientific innovation, and startup development. The leadership combines strong backgrounds in investment management and deeptech sectors to support founders in scaling breakthrough scientific ventures globally.
Key Leadership:
Learn more about the team on the Phystech Ventures people page.
Are you a deeptech founder developing breakthrough scientific innovations in next-generation computing, life sciences, energy, mobility, or space? Discover how Phystech Ventures can support your journey by visiting Phystech Ventures Website.
Stay connected and receive the latest updates on investments, portfolio companies, and industry insights by following Phystech Ventures on LinkedIn: Phystech Ventures LinkedIn.
Explore more UK opportunities for greentech investment at Adopter’s Greentech Investors Map.
