Role venture kapitálu v procesu transferu technologií: Případová studie Tensor Ventures a CERN Venture Connect

In today's world, technology companies face dynamic challenges that significantly impact their ability to commercialize groundbreaking scientific discoveries. This bachelor’s thesis focuses on analyzing the strategic partnership between the Czech venture capital fund Tensor Ventures and the international scientific organization CERN within the CERN Venture Connect program. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the strategic significance of venture capital involvement in the transfer of deep technology (Deep Tech) and to identify specific mechanisms through which this partnership helps startups overcome barriers to market entry. The thesis combines theoretical insights from the fields of open innovation and absorptive capacity with a practical case study. The research utilized a semi-structured interview with an expert from the Tensor Ventures fund, whose data was processed using thematic analysis. Based on the results, three key areas of the fund’s non-financial added value were identified: facilitating access to early-stage customers and “proof of concept” projects, actively supporting the development of business models and communication of the technology, and educating the innovation ecosystem. The analysis further showed that the partnership with CERN functions primarily as a tool for technological validation and reputation building based on the so-called certification effect. These practical insights enabled the formulation of recommendations for researchers and founders of Deep Tech startups, venture capital funds, and public policy makers on how to more effectively connect the academic sphere with the market environment and strengthen the position of Central European Deep Tech projects within global scientific networks.