User Group: Gründer:innen

  • The AI Incubator 2023 Batch #3: Q&A Session 2

    The AI Incubator 2023 Batch #3: Q&A Session 2

    Q&A Dates:

      • September 20, 17:30–19:30, CEST, in person at Cyber Valley Meet-up #07, register here.

    The AI Incubator 2023

    The Cyber Valley AI Incubator encourages scientists, technologists, and business talent to found their own businesses and be part of the next generation of AI start-ups.

    Our six-week program encourages researchers to consider how they can transfer their cutting-edge AI and robotics research into products and applications. Topics include:

      • Product-market-fit
      • Business strategy
      • Funding opportunities

    We want to equip participants with knowledge, tools, and skills while connecting them with a network of experts, mentors, investors, and other founders to inspire their AI start-up journey. At the program’s conclusion, every team will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to a jury.

    If you’re interested in taking part in The AI Incubator, join one of our Q&A sessions to ask us about the application process, the program, or anything else. You can find more information on the application process and all the dates here.

  • $5 Millionen für die Expansion des Start-ups

    $5 Millionen für die Expansion des Start-ups

    Stuttgart-based AI start-up Sereact has raised $5 million of seed funding, with major investments from Point Nine and Air Street Capital.  Sereact has been a member of the Cyber Valley Start–up Network since 2021, partaking in its vibrant AI ecosystem of exchange between research and business. 

    Sereact specializes in advanced robotics solutions, utilizing AI-powered software to streamline pick-and-pack processes in warehouses and manufacturing. This vital process constitutes around 55% of warehouse operational costs, and businesses must rely on inflexible systems that struggle to adapt to new products and require highly trained staff. PickGPT is the first commercially available robotics transformer that enables robots to understand natural language and accurately perceive their environment. Through a userfriendly chatbot interface, employees without technical expertise can give instructions and perform system maintenance.  
     
    Sereact clientele comprises industry leaders, including ZenFulfillment, Daimler Truck, Material Bank, and Schmalz. The seed funding will facilitate the expansion of the Sereact team, alongside PickGPT’s development and international roll-out. 
     
    “I am pleased that with Sereact another start-up from our network has been able to secure its financing”, says Julian Enz, Director of Innovation and Economy at Cyber Valley. “This shows that deep-tech innovation from Baden-Württemberg is in high demand.”

    “By combining large language models and robotics, Sereact has created the world’s most accessible way of interacting with robots”, says Co-Founder and CEO of Sereact, Ralf Gulde. “Today’s milestone will accelerate our mission of using fully autonomous robotics to overcome labor shortages, fix supply chains, and boost productivity.” 
     
    The Cyber Valley Start-up has impressed investors. “The team at Sereact combines a deep understanding of the warehouse operating context with real technical ingenuity”, says Nathan Benaich, Founding Partner at Air Street Capital says. “As the first business to turn the combination of LLMs and pick-and-pack from an academic possibility to real-world impact, they’re building a product that’s still only scratching the surface of its potential use cases.” 
     
    Ricardo Sequerra Amram, a Partner at Point Nine says: “Sereact brings a new paradigm to AI and robotics. By combining vision transformers and LLMs their solution is fast to deploy, easy to configure, and provides the critical service level required by demanding industries like logistics and manufacturing. The research done by Ralf and Marc during their time in academia is now applied to commercial use cases and is currently in production in live environments with top enterprise customers.” 
     
    Additional seed funders include new and existing angel investors: Alexander Diehl; Oliver Cameron (VP Product of Cruise, Co-Founder of Voyage); the Founders of Proglove and OMA Ventures; Achim Baier and Wolfgang Frank (arconsis); Martin Giese; Michael Achtelik; Jan Stumpf and Daniel Gurdan (Founders of Ascending Technologies); and Mostafa Elsayed (CEO and Co-Founder of Automata).  

    About Cyber Valley

    Cyber Valley is Europe's leading center for excellence in advanced AI and robotics. Cyber Valley creates a vibrant ecosystem that enables seamless collaboration and rapid exchange between academia, business, and society. As an ambassador for entrepreneurship, Cyber Valley's mission is to strengthen the research, development, and application of intelligent systems, providing a platform for collaboration, resource sharing, and advancement of modern AI and robotics. With a focus on the ethical and societal aspects of AI, Cyber Valley fosters dialogue between society and AI researchers and strives for a future in which the full potential of intelligent systems is used for the benefit of society. 

    About the Cyber Valley Start-up Network

    The Cyber Valley Start-up Network fosters a community of entrepreneurs. Its members are invited to attend newly created Cyber Valley networking events such as talks, meet-ups, and tech brunches on a regular basis. They are listed on the Cyber Valley website and can use the network’s logo in their communication materials. Network members are required to have a connection to Cyber Valley, for instance by being headquartered in the state of BadenWürttemberg, or by having members or alumni of Cyber Valley partner institutions among their founders. Their activities must be related to the field of intelligent systems. Membership in the Cyber Valley Start-up Network is reviewed once a year to ensure that these requirements continue to be met. Founded in November 2019, the Cyber Valley Start-up Network currently has 43 members. 

    About Sereact

    With the combination of Artificial Intelligence and robotics, Sereact has brought to life a new era of intelligence, precision, and efficiency in logistics. Since its founding in 2021, the company achieved technological milestones such as industry-leading picking speeds of 1500 picks per hour, collision-free picking with any gripper, and fully autonomous object manipulation. Today, Sereact is trusted by partners across the e-commerce, manufacturing, and third-party logistics sectors, serving industry leaders like ZenFulfillment, Daimler Truck, Material Bank, and Schmalz. 

  • Green AI Day

    Green AI Day

    Was ist der Green AI Day?

    KI-Produkte und Anwendungen bieten wertvolle Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung der Nachhaltigkeit von Geschäftsprozessen, zur Entwicklung von Lösungen für Umweltprobleme und zur Schonung endlicher Ressourcen. Das ist Green AI!

    Zahlreiche Akteur:innen aus Stuttgart und der Region engagieren sich bereits aktiv in dieser Hinsicht und arbeiten an innovativen Ansätzen, um Green AI in die Praxis umzusetzen. Um einen Anstoß zu weiterführender Forschung, Vernetzung und Kooperation zu geben, haben die Wirtschaftsförderung der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart gemeinsam mit der Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH und CODE_n den Green AI Day ins Leben gerufen. Dieser soll die Sichtbarkeit des Green AI-Ökosystems und der Green AI-Projekte in der Region erhöhen.

    Zielgruppen sind KI-Interessierte und Akteur:innen aus etablierten Unternehmen, Start-ups, Forschungseinrichtungen und Cluster-Initiativen mit Anknüpfungspunkten zum Thema Green AI.

    Der Fokus des Green AI Days liegt auf der Vernetzung dieser Teilnehmenden. Darüber hinaus bietet das Programm interessante Inhalte rund um das Thema Green AI. Dieses umfasst Keynotes, Panel-Diskussionen, Start-up Pitches und Breakout-Sessions mit themenbezogenen Herausforderungen.

    Themenschwerpunkte:

      • Mobility
      • Energy
      • Agriculture/Forestry
      • Buildings/Smart City

    Wer an der kostenlosen Elevator Pitch Session teilnehmen möchte, kann sich hier anmelden.

    Die abschließende Keynote wird von Stefan Ferber, Executive Director & Founder von TREEO, gehalten.

  • AI on the River

    AI on the River

    Our exclusive AI on the River event will bring together innovative minds in the fields of AI, robotics, and entrepreneurship for a truly memorable and inspiring evening.

     

    • Date: August 23, 2023
       
    • Time: 18:00 CET onwards
       
    • Location: Neckareinstieg Innenstadt, Tübingen

     

    What to expect:

     

    • Engaging discussions: Delve into thought-provoking conversations with fellow AI enthusiasts and founders. Share your insights, experiences, and ideas that will drive the future of AI and technology.
       
    • Scenic river experience: Relax and unwind on our Stocherkahn, a traditional boat perfect for experiencing the picturesque Neckar River. Enjoy the soothing breeze and breathtaking scenery as we float along the gentle waters.
       
    • Networking with peers: Forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals in the AI start-up community. Discover potential collaborators, mentors, or friends as you navigate your entrepreneurial journey.
       
    • Refreshments and snacks: We'll provide a variety of light snacks and beverages, giving you the fuel you need for engaging conversations and networking with fellow AI start-up founders.

     

    To ensure an intimate and meaningful gathering, we’re keeping this event exclusive and small for the initial run, allowing us to test the format and foster valuable connections among all participants. To ensure we have sufficient supplies, we kindly ask that you register here by August 15th. 

    We look forward to seeing you there and enjoying an inspiring evening with you. 

  • AI Act, AI Liability Act, AI Norms – what do you need to know?- POSTPONED

    AI Act, AI Liability Act, AI Norms – what do you need to know?- POSTPONED

    Laws, standards and ethical guidelines for AI are currently being developed at different political levels. Which ones are important for researchers and entrepreneurs to know? What is being said  & when will everything come into force? How can you still get involved? In this seminar, our speakers will give an overview of these topics for the Cyber Valley Ecosystem. 

    Date: TBD

     

    Our speakers:

    • Danilo Brajovic, Fraunhofer IPA. 
    • Rebecca Beiter, Cyber Valley. 

     

    Our topics:

    • Overview: AI Regulation & AI Ethics
      Rebecca Beiter, Danilo Brajovic
      What is incuded in the term "AI", when will it come to regulation? Who is currently planning the regulation? And what are other countries doing to regulate AI?
       
    • AI Act for Research & Start-ups
      Danilo Brajovic
       
    • AI Liability Act
      Rebecca Beiter
      Who will be responsible for AI systems? The AI Liability Act includes disclosure obligations and rules for liability and damage caused with involvement of AI systems. These rules only apply to tortious liability, e.g. non-contractual civil liability. 
       
    • AI Norms & Standards
      TBD
    • The Data Governance Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/868)
      Rebecca Beiter
      It encourages public bodies to share data and creates a regulatory framework for data intermediaries.
       
    • AI Ethics & Unesco Recommondations for Ethics in AI

     

  • Cyber Valley Meet-up #09

    Cyber Valley Meet-up #09

    We invite you to this relaxed meeting for all start-ups, research groups, PhD students and interested people who want to learn more about Cyber Valley. 

     
    What:

    • Wieland Brendel (Max Planck Research Group Leader- Robust Machine Learning)

    • Mohammed El Merouani (Manager – Business to Bridge Talent (B2BT))

    • Tagir Fabarisov, M.Sc. (PhD Student, University of Stuttgart)

    • The AI Incubator: 

      • Richard Schreiber 

      • Marko Pavlovic (Team: Iliaudia)  

      • Ghadeer Elmkaiel  

      • Arän Chalak 

     

    Want to pitch your idea at the Meet-up? Then contact us.


    Open discussion and exchange
    … while enjoying pizza, salad, and a cold drink of your choice. We would also like to know what your expectations are for Cyber Valley.

     
    When?

    Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 17:30–19:30 CEST.

     
    Where?

    Tübingen AI Center, Maria-von-Linden-Straße 6, 72076 Tübingen

     

    Travel arrangements

    Unfortunately travel arrangements are no longer available as as we have reached full capacity. 

     

    Registration

    Registration for this event has now closed.

    We look forward to meeting you as well as sharing some food, drinks and stimulating conversations!

  • Cyber Valley Meet-up #08

    Cyber Valley Meet-up #08

     

    We invite you to this relaxed meeting for all start-ups, research groups, PhD students and anyone who wants to learn more about Cyber Valley. 

     
    What:

    • Pitch: What is Hochschule der Medien (Prof. Dr. Nils Högsdal, Prorektor für Innovationsmanagement, Hochschule der Medien)  

    • Pitch: State of AI (Julian Enz, Director Innovation & Economy (CIO), Cyber Valley) 

    • Pitch: mine&make (Gauthier Boisdequin, Founder) 

    Open discussion and exchange while enjoying pizza, salad, and a cold drink of your choice. We would also like to know what your expectations are for Cyber Valley.

     
    When?

    Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 17:45–19:45 CEST.

     
    Where?

    Hochschule der Medien
    Nobelstraße 10
    70569 Stuttgart

     

    Travel arrangements

    We will organise free transport from Tübingen. Please indicate on the registration form if you would like to use this. Further details regarding transportation will be sent closer to the event. 

     

    Registration

    Please register via this registration form. The number of participants for the event is limited. We look forward to meeting you as well as sharing some food, drinks and stimulating conversations!

  • Cyber Valley Meet-up #07

    Cyber Valley Meet-up #07

    We invite you to this relaxed meeting for all start-ups, research groups, PhD students and interested people who want to learn more about Cyber Valley. 

     
    What:

    Pitches – Do you want to pitch your idea at the Meet-up? Feel free to contact us.

    • Pitch: Al Incubator application (Paul-David Bittner)
    • Pitch: AI Incubator Experience Discussion (Omid Taheri, requested)
    • Pitch: AIRAmed


    Open discussion and exchange
    … while enjoying pizza, salad, and a cold drink of your choice. We would also like to know what your expectations are for Cyber Valley.

     
    When?

    Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 17:30–19:30 CEST.

     
    Where?

    Max-Planck-Institut for Intelligent Systems
    Max-Planck-Ring 4 
    72076 Tübingen

     

    Travel arrangements

    We will organise free travel between Tübingen and Stuttgart. Please indicate in the registration form if you would like to travel with us. We will send further details about the travel arrangements close to the time. 

     

    Registration

     

    Register for the Meet-up is closed. 

    We look forward to meeting you as well as sharing some food, drinks and stimulating conversations!

  • Cyber Valley Meet-up #06

    Cyber Valley Meet-up #06

    We invite you to this relaxed meeting for all start-ups, research groups, PhD students and interested people who want to learn more about Cyber Valley. 

     
    What:

    Pitches – Who wants to pitch their idea at the Meet-up? Feel free to contact us.

    • Pitch: AI Act (Rebecca Beiter)
    • Pitch: KIT Gründerschmiede (Sylwia Wasz)
    • Pitch: OptoCycle (Max-Frederick Gerken)


    Open discussion and exchange
    … while enjoying pizza, salad, and a cold drink of your choice. We would also like to know what your expectations are for Cyber Valley.

     
    When?

    Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 17:30–19:30 CEST.

     
    Where?

    Max Planck Institut für intelligente Systeme 

    Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569 Stuttgart

     

    Registration

    Please register via the registration form. The number of participants for the event is limited. 

    We look forward meeting you as well as sharing some food, drinks and stimulating conversations!

  • Jetzt bewerben für den AI Incubator 2023

    Jetzt bewerben für den AI Incubator 2023

    Stuttgart, Germany – Cyber Valley, Europe's leading center for excellence in advanced AI and robotics, is launching the AI Incubator, an artificial intelligence (AI) start-up program. The AI Incubator is funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung and supported by the partners of the Cyber Valley ecosystem.

    Incubators are programs that help people interested in founding their own company. The AI Incubator offers students and scientists the opportunity to develop ideas for a start-up from their AI research, put the ideas into practice and start their own successful AI business. 


    Target group

    The program is aimed at students, PhDs, scientists, technologists and business talent from the Cyber Valley ecosystem as well as interested individuals who focus on research, development and application of artificial intelligence and robotics. Applicants need to be enrolled or be an alumni in Baden-Württemberg or at ETH Zurich. Having your own team or idea is not a prerequisite and can be developed together during the course of the program.


    Dates and contents

    The program will start on June 7, 2023. Experienced entrepreneurs and start-up coaches will supervise the participants over a period of six weeks. One full-day workshop will be held per week, for example on topics such as deep tech market research, financing, and AI regulation. The workshops, mentoring sessions and the pitch event on July 10, 2023 at the end of the AI Incubator, will give the participants access to the world-class facilities and resources of the Cyber Valley Partners. A shuttle will transport participants to each workshop location.


    Application and further information

    Interested applicants can apply for the AI Incubator 2023 with their CV and a letter of motivation until June 1, 2023 (extended deadline). Further information on the requirements, the application process and the content of the one-day workshops is available on the website www.cyber-valley.de/ai-incubator. 

    "The AI Incubator offers young, talented scientists an excellent opportunity to benefit from the broad expertise in Cyber Valley and take the next step in shaping the future," says Dr. Felix Streiter, Managing  Director of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. "We are pleased to be part of this program and thus promote the transfer from cutting-edge research into practice."


    Rebecca Reisch, Cyber Valley GmbH CEO, emphasized the importance of the AI Incubator for the start-up community. “We are proud and grateful to launch the AI Incubator and to add value to our ecosystem thanks to the generous support of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. The program offers researchers a real opportunity to start their own company and network with investors. We want to support them in playing a leading role in shaping the next generation of AI startups made in THE LÄND.”

     



    About Cyber Valley

    Cyber Valley is Europe's leading center for excellence in advanced AI and robotics. Cyber Valley creates a vibrant ecosystem that enables seamless collaboration and rapid exchange between academia, business and society.
    As an ambassador for entrepreneurship, Cyber Valley's mission is to strengthen the research, development, and application of intelligent systems, providing a platform for collaboration, resource sharing, and advancement of modern AI and robotics. With a focus on the ethical and societal aspects of AI, Cyber Valley fosters dialogue between society and AI researchers and strives for a future in which the full potential of intelligent systems is used for the benefit of society.


    About the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung

    The Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung’s mission is to create an open environment for scientific breakthroughs. As a partner of excellence in science, it supports basic research as well as applied sciences in the STEM subject areas (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Founded in 1889 by the physicist and mathematician Ernst Abbe, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung is one of the oldest and biggest private science funding institutions in Germany. It is the sole owner of Carl Zeiss AG and SCHOTT AG. Its projects are financed from the dividend distributions of the two foundation companies.


    Cyber Valley Press Contact

    Rebecca Beiter
    rebecca.beiter@cyber-valley.de
     +49 160 9448 1797