Exclusive: Actual VC Champions Breakthrough Innovation at Deep Tech Week
Deep Tech Week in San Francisco is a week‑long celebration of breakthrough innovation in the physical sciences—where science fiction meets reality. Held from June 22 to June 27, 2025, this flagship event brings together founders, investors, engineers, scientists, artists, and designers who are building transformational technologies across fields like energy, biotech, robotics, neurotech, quantum computing, aerospace, defence, manufacturing, and new materials.
Actual VC, a GCC-based venture capital firm dedicated to empowering deep-tech startups through strategic investment and comprehensive support, played an active role in connecting entrepreneurs with resources, advice, and opportunities throughout the week. Speaking with Aaron Hsu, General Partner at Actual VC, it quickly became clear why supporting Deep Tech Week was important to them.
“We believe that world-changing ideas and capable entrepreneurs are everywhere,” Aaron explained. “When I was younger, I didn’t even know entrepreneurship was a thing — that someone could have a great idea, the expertise to execute it, and just start a product or solution that fixes a problem they see.”
Aaron pointed out that countless opportunities are lost when individuals don’t know where to begin or who to turn to. “Sponsoring initiatives like Deep Tech Week, where people can explore, ask questions, be inspired, and bounce ideas off each other, is critical in moving humanity forward,” he stated. Beyond that, it’s an opportunity to witness where research meets market application — a space Actual VC thrives in.
When asked about standout moments from the week, Aaron highlighted a fundraising session Actual VC hosted, which gathered founders from diverse backgrounds to share candid, unfiltered insights about the realities of raising capital. “We had a founder who raised hundreds of millions from ‘tier 1’ Silicon Valley VCs, exited that company, and is now actively avoiding those same investors. His reasons were incredibly eye-opening,” Aaron recalled.
As for the calibre of companies at Deep Tech Week, Aaron was refreshingly candid. “Just like anywhere else, it was a mixed bag. Some companies were incredibly early, others had already raised significant capital. But I wasn’t focused so much on who was ahead — I was more interested in learning about industries and niches I wouldn’t normally encounter. The passion and depth of understanding founders bring to these conversations is something that never gets old for me.”
Looking ahead, Aaron is particularly intrigued by the physical application of AI in the real world — especially its intersection with biology. “We saw a lot of robotics, from humanoids to manufacturing, but I was drawn to the biological applications of AI. Some brilliant companies are using AI to understand biological processes and harness them through synthetic biology. That future looks very bright.”
He also noted the growing urgency around energy innovation as AI’s energy demands surge. “We’re seeing exciting work in both new energy generation — like geothermal, fusion and advanced solar — and energy efficiency, from capturing waste heat to better chip designs and cooling systems. Innovations in energy will be crucial to sustaining future technological progress,” Aaron emphasised.
