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130: How deeptech can insulate investors from AI software concerns | Ilian Iliev of EMV Capital

10 Mar 2026 / Podcast Tax Advantaged

By Dr Brian Moretta

There are lots of concerns about how AI will affect software companies, but could deeptech give investors some insulation from that? EMV Capital CEO, Ilian Iliev, certainly thinks so. In this episode, we examine the challenges that software may be facing and how deeptech is more of a beneficiary.

Amongst other topics, we talk about:

  • The current worries about how AI will affect software;
  • How robust B2B SaaS could be;
  • How AI affects competition for startups;
  • How AI can help scientific innovation;
  • Examples of how portfolio companies use AI;
  • How small companies compete with large companies in hardware;
  • How AI affects IP strategies;
  • Examples of naive IP approaches.

Ilian has been working in this space for a long time and gives great insight into the world of deeptech. Enjoy!

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Links

Read more on the EMV Capital website.

Contact EMV Capital on LinkedIn.

Suggested books and media

Time Shelter by Georgi Gospindov

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts

Politics On the Edge by Rory Stewart

Bio

Ilian Iliev, CEO of EMV Capital, founded the company in 2018. After its acquisition by NetScientific plc (now EMV Capital plc), he became group CEO. Previously, he co-founded and was CEO of CambridgeIP Ltd, which he built into a leading IP strategy and patent data analytics provider. He also worked as a strategy advisor for various corporate blue-chip clients and public policy. Prior to this he founded and co-led a family business in industrials and electric engineering in Southern Africa. He is a Board member on behalf of the Group at many portfolio companies, including Glycotest Inc. (Chair), Sofant Technologies, PointGrab, Q-Bot, Martlet Capital, DName-iT, Vortex and Wanda Health. He is also a Board member of NASDAQ-listed PDS Biotech Inc.

Ilian holds a PhD from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School with a focus on Venture Capital and science commercialisation models; and has Master’s in Economics and BA in Politics, Economics and International Relations from the Witwatersrand University, South Africa. He was an Associate Fellow at Chatham House with a focus on sustainability and renewables. He has authored numerous academic, policy and industry reports.

Disclaimer

Please note this podcast/interview does not constitute a financial promotion and is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as an invitation or offer to buy or sell any investments. Please be aware that investments into unquoted companies are high risk, long term and illiquid investments.  Your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.  Target returns are not guaranteed and forward looking statements are illustrative only and must not be relied upon. Investors should only invest on the basis of reading the full offer documentation. Listeners must make their own independent decisions and obtain their own independent advice regarding any information, projects, securities, tax treatment or financial instruments mentioned herein.