Building Deep-tech Ventures That Withstand the Numbers — Financial Masterclass

At the heart of every successful deep-tech startup lies more than breakthrough science; it lies in financial clarity. During several engagements with entrepreneurs, Maravion immersed them in a dynamic Financial Masterclass designed to turn brilliant innovations into investable, sustainable ventures. In a sector known for its long development timelines and high capital intensity, this session addressed the one skill most founders often overlook: financial fluency.

Aligning Science with Strategy: The Power of Value Propositions

The session begins by grounding entrepreneurs in one of the most powerful tools for the success of deep-tech businesses: the value proposition. Participants worked through practical exercises to define the unique value their products or services bring to the market. They learned to frame their deep-tech solutions not only in scientific terms but also in commercial language that resonates with investors, customers, and policymakers.

This included:

• Understanding why value propositions matter in biotech, particularly where timelines are extended and technical validation is slow.

• Identifying real market needs, pain points, and gaps that their innovations address.

• Translating technical features into user benefits, enabling precise and compelling narratives for stakeholder engagement.

Financial Foundations for Deep-tech: Modeling the Future

Next, entrepreneurs needs to turn to the financial realities of running a deep-tech company. Entrepreneurs are exposed to the unique challenges they face: the burden of IP protection, regulatory navigation, and the uncertainty of product development.

Participants are guided step-by-step in building a robust 5–10 year financial model, covering:

• Revenue forecasts

• Fixed and variable cost structures

• Operational and R&D expenditure

• Capital requirements and cost of goods sold (COGS)

From this foundation, the session progressed to profitability analysis, calculating key indicators such as gross margin, EBITDA, and net income, alongside cash flow forecasting to help founders understand when, and how much, capital would be needed.

De-risking the Model: Sensitivity, Scenarios, and Simulations

To bring financial realism into sharper focus, the masterclass introduces advanced risk tools:

• Break-even analysis to pinpoint the threshold for financial viability

• Sensitivity analysis to test which assumptions drive business value

• Scenario planning for best-, base-, and worst-case futures

• Monte Carlo simulations to model probability-based outcomes on valuation and shareholding

These tools helped entrepreneurs understand not only the numbers, but the assumptions behind them, a vital skill in managing investor expectations and board decisions.

Investor Readiness: From Spreadsheet to Strategy

Finally, the entrepreneurs translate their financial plans into investor-ready materials:

• Professional profit & loss (P&L) statements

• Balance sheets and cash flow reports

• Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuations

• Structured company valuation models for fundraising rounds

These outputs are more than academic exercises; they form the financial backbone for real-world pitches, funding applications, and strategic growth planning.

In a world where passion meets precision, Maravion's Financial Masterclass equips entrepreneurs with the tools to navigate uncertainty, communicate effectively with investors, and structure their businesses for sustainable long-term growth. Because in deep-tech, it's not just about believing in your science, it's about making others believe in your numbers.