Scaling deep tech in well-established industries is the real differentiator
- Maria Vika Laschouli
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Many deep-tech startups don’t fail because their technology doesn’t work. They fail because they can’t scale it in the real world.
This challenge is particularly visible in well-established, asset-intensive industries such as ports, steel production, and infrastructure. These are sectors where safety, uptime, and reliability leave little room for experimentation. Innovation here is not about speed or disruption, but about trust, integration, and execution at scale.
For Villari, scaling has never been about running endless pilots. It has been about turning advanced sensing technology into a solution that operators can deploy repeatedly, confidently, and globally.
From research breakthrough to operational reality
Villari originated as a university spin-off, developing a novel wireless technology capable of detecting fatigue and crack growth in steel structures. But translating that innovation into operational value required far more than technical validation.
“In well-established industries, innovation only matters if you can scale it reliably,” says Olivier Baas, CEO of Villari. “Our focus was never just to prove the technology, but to make it deployable, maintainable, and trusted in real operational environments.”
That meant designing a system that works in harsh conditions, integrates alongside existing inspection regimes, and delivers continuous insight without disrupting operations.
Why scaling is harder and more valuable in asset-intensive sectors
Industries with long asset lifecycles and strict safety requirements operate under very different innovation dynamics:
Long decision and procurement cycles
Zero tolerance for unreliable systems
Assets operating far beyond their original design life
Deeply embedded inspection and maintenance practices
According to Boy de Jonge, Investment Manager at FORWARD.one, Villari is tackling these challenges the right way.
“It's not about disrupting overnight, but about steadily becoming part of how critical infrastructure is managed. This business requires patience, credibility, and operational excellence and Villari demonstrates all three.”
Rather than positioning itself as a disruptive replacement for inspections, Villari embedded its technology as a complementary layer that strengthens existing asset integrity strategies.
Scaling through trust and strategic partnerships
A key pillar of Villari’s scaling strategy has been partnering with established industry leaders rather than trying to go to the market alone.
By working with organizations such as the MISTRAS GROUP or Control Union, Villari integrates continuous fatigue monitoring into inspection, testing, and maintenance workflows that operators already rely on.
“Trust is essential in these industries,” Baas explains. “That’s why partnerships with globally recognized players like MISTRAS and Control Union matter so much. They help us scale faster, while staying aligned with how operators already manage asset integrity.”
Proof points that scaling is working
Villari’s transition from innovation to execution is visible across multiple dimensions:
Repeatable deployments across ports, steel production, infrastructure and other industries heavily relying on steel-based assets
Expansion from pilot installations to fleet-level monitoring
Operation in harsh, safety-critical environments
Growing contract scope and duration, signaling long-term trust
Integration into inspection and maintenance workflows rather than parallel systems
Global reach through certified partners and strategic alliances
For Max Straatman, Investment Manager at InnovationQuarter, this operational maturity is a key indicator:
“You can see Villari moving from early adoption into a more mature growth phase, with larger contracts and long-term customer relationships.”
From innovation phase to execution engine
As Villari has grown, its internal focus has shifted accordingly.
“At this stage, our priorities are very different from the early days,” says Baas. “We’re focused on execution: clear KPI’s, scalable deployments, and long-term customer relationships. Bigger contracts and continuity are strong signals that the business is maturing.”
The real differentiator
In sectors where assets are expected to last decades and failures carry enormous consequences; innovation must earn its place.
Scaling deep tech in well-established industries is not about moving fast, it’s about moving reliably.
However, while technical novelty and speed to market are important, according to Max Straatman, Investment Manager at InnovationQuarter, the decision to invest has other aspects as well:
“When deciding to invest, we primarily look at whether a company solves a relevant problem and whether the team has the capability and energy to execute. Villari has clearly demonstrated both. The leadership’s can-do mentality and dedication are highly valued.”
By combining robust technology, disciplined execution, trusted partnerships, and long-term investor support, Villari is demonstrating that real innovation is not just invented. It is operationalized, embedded, and scaled where it matters most.
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