At AVP Day 2025, we brought together founders, partners, and investors for a day of forward-looking discussions across AI and robotics, defense technology, market dynamics, geopolitics, and the future of space.
From AI-driven creativity to biospheric farming and digital sovereignty, one theme resonated across every session: those who anticipate exponential change will lead it. We would like to thank all of our speakers from the day Barbara Belvisi, Hod Lipson, Bruno Tertrais, Jérémie Gallon, Jacques Mallard, Nicolas Bordet, Richard Forest, Stéphane Cutajar, David Del Bourgo and to our AVP portfolio founders and operators, Suresh Mathew, Fabian Heinrich, Cillian Kieran, Martin Mackay and Emilio Di Zazzo. Below are some of the takeaways from the day.
“Don’t fear, steer.” — Hod Lipson
Professor of Robotics & AI at Columbia University Hod Lipson opened the day with a powerful keynote on the exponential forces reshaping technology.
He described four compounding drivers; faster computing power, explosive data growth, AI systems that learn from one another, and ever-expanding model capacity – each accelerating far beyond linear expectations.
Lipson’s message was both cautionary and optimistic: while code, compute, and talent are becoming commodities, unique data remains the ultimate differentiator. Those who see the curve coming can ride it, others will be dragged along.
From AI designing new materials in hours to autonomous fleets that learn collectively, Lipson reminded us that we are entering a decade where AIs may outnumber humans – and opportunity belongs to those ready to steer, not fear.
“To make life multiplanetary, we must first learn to grow life anywhere.” — Barbara Belvisi
Barbara Belvisi, Founder & CEO of Interstellar, shared her vision for sustainable life on Earth – and beyond.
Interstellar is building AI-driven biospheric farming systems capable of growing plants in closed-loop greenhouses with 99% water recycling, zero chemical pollution, and precise molecular control.
From NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to upcoming lunar missions, Interstellar is redefining agriculture as an intelligent, autonomous system – one that can nourish life wherever humans go.
“You may not be interested in geopolitics but geopolitics is interested in you.” — Bruno Tertrais
Bruno Tertrais, Deputy Director of the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS), offered a sharp geopolitical outlook toward 2030.
While global hotspots remain familiar, the competition between great powers is reemerging across new dimensions from critical materials to technology and energy. The divide, he argued, is now less East vs. West and more autocrats vs. democrats.
Globalization hasn’t vanished – it’s reshaping. Supply chains are rerouting, economic blocs are fragmenting, and every major power faces structural vulnerabilities.
Tertrais’s message to investors and innovators was direct: geopolitics is now a core variable in strategy. Understanding it isn’t optional, it’s a competitive edge.
The Future of Defense Tech – Europe’s Digital Battlefield
In a panel moderated by AVP’s own Benoit Fosseprez, joined by Nicolas Bordet (AEGIR), Vice-Admiral Jacques Mallard, Colonel Stéphane Cutajar (French Ministry for Armed Forces) and Richard Forest (SEAir) explored how digital sovereignty will shape Europe’s defense future.
Their shared view: tomorrow’s defense advantage will depend on speed, modularity, and collaboration. From AI-driven systems to dual-use startups, the future lies in connecting traditional forces with agile tech – and financing them at scale.
As highlighted in our recent white paper, hyper-digitalization isn’t just modernization – it’s sovereignty itself.
Looking Ahead
AVP Day 2025 captured the essence of this transformative decade: exponential technology, planetary sustainability, strategic resilience, and digital sovereignty. Each conversation pointed toward one imperative: act exponentially, think strategically, and invest boldly.
