User Group: Investor:innen

  • Cyber Valley announces partnership with SPRIND

    Cyber Valley announces partnership with SPRIND

    SPRIND, the Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, funds groundbreaking projects, alternative approaches, and spin-offs. Through this new partnership, Cyber Valley and SPRIND will foster creative solutions beyond conventional paths. 

    This partnership seeks to explore next-level AI technologies, venturing beyond popular concepts like Large Language Models (LLMs), Transformers, and Diffusion Models. It will focus on championing alternative approaches to AI, encouraging bold thinking, and exploring uncharted territories. This collaboration signals a significant step toward redefining the possibilities of artificial intelligence. 

    Leading the charge for this initiative is Mirko Holzer, Innovation Manager at SPRIND, “This partnership is all about pushing boundaries and bringing bold ideas to life. With Cyber Valley, we are creating the perfect launchpad for disruptive technologies that have the power to reshape science and society.”   

    Florian Mayer, COO of Cyber Valley, shares the enthusiasm, “It’s fantastic to see SPRIND committing significant resources and funding to such a vital area of innovation. We are thrilled to join forces and pave the way for the next wave of groundbreaking AI technologies.” 

    Alternative approaches 

    Through this collaboration, SPRIND and Cyber Valley are looking for innovators who are working on new and alternative approaches to artificial intelligence (AI), transformative artificial intelligence (TAI), and artificial general intelligence (AGI). The goal is to find alternative, bold, even speculative ideas that diverge from established AI pathways such as diffusion models, large-scale language models, and/or generally transformer-based architectures. 
     

    The partnership supports visionary AI methods, emphasizing:   

    • New Architectures: Energy-efficient designs inspired by biological systems, non-neural paradigms, quantum-inspired models, adaptive systems, and generative models simulating environments. 

    • New Learning Paradigms: Innovative methods like federated learning, causal learning, reinforcement learning, active learning, and synthetic data ecosystems to redefine how machines learn. 

    • New Hardware Approaches: Breakthroughs in neuromorphic, photonic, holographic, and biohybrid computing, as well as robotic systems with embodied cognition and sensory integration. 

    • Innovations outside the mainstream: Bold ideas such as meta-learning, swarm intelligence, digital organisms, evolutionary algorithms, and AI systems with emotional and self-aware intelligence. 

  • Demo Day for Batch #5 of The AI Incubator

    Demo Day for Batch #5 of The AI Incubator

     

    After six weeks of workshops and inspiring sessions, participants from Batch #5 of The AI Incubator will present their final ideas to a jury and an esteemed audience of investors, corporate leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The top teams will be recognized by the jury and have the opportunity to win attractive prizes. Event attendees can meet the teams during the closing networking event, complete with beverages and finger foods.

     

    When? 

    December 12, 2024, 16:00–19:00 CET

     

    Where? 

    Amazon Research & Development Center
    Friedrich-Miescher-Straße 4, 72076 Tübingen

     

    Schedule

    16:00–16:30: Welcome & Drinks

    16:30–16:45: Introduction to Batch#5 of the AI Incubator

    16:45–17:30: Pitches from the AI Incubator Teams

    17:30–17:45: Keynote: Sciencepreneurship and AI

    17:45–18:15: Award ceremony

    18:15: Networking with drinks & fingerfood

     

    Registration

    Tickets for this event are sold out, registration is closed. 

     

    The AI Incubator

    The AI Incubator is a six-week program for AI talents with brilliant ideas. The program encourages scientists, technologists, and business talent to found their own companies, fostering the next generation of AI start-ups. The AI Incubator equips participants with the right knowledge, tools, and skills to transfer their cutting-edge AI and robotics research into products and applications.

    It covers topics such as, AI prototyping, product-market fit, business strategy, and funding. The program also provides participants with access to a network of experts, mentors, founders, and investors who offer guidance and inspiration on their journey into the AI business world.

    The AI Incubator is organized by Cyber Valley and funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. 

  • Cyber Valley celebrates the launch of ELLIS Institute Finland

    Cyber Valley celebrates the launch of ELLIS Institute Finland

    The new institute is part of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) – a pan-European AI research network that is an important player in the Cyber Valley Community. It will position Finland as a key player in AI, attract international talent, and drive cutting-edge research. This announcement marks a major step towards achieving Cyber Valley’s vision of a closely connected, pan-European AI research network, strengthening Europe’s global standing in AI and machine learning.

    The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has pledged substantial financial backing, committing €10 million annually from 2025 to 2028, in addition to a launch-phase investment of €6 million. Further support comes from the Post Scriptum Foundation, established by Peter Sarlin, CEO and co-founder of Silo AI. Silo AI joined the Cyber Valley Community in June 2024 at Cyber Valley Days. The foundation has pledged an additional €10 million to fund up to 15 professorships at the ELLIS Institute Finland. 

    This ELLIS Institute, which will be based at Aalto University, is the second in the prestigious pan-European ELLIS network, following the establishment of the first institute in Tübingen, Germany, in 2023. Aalto University will lead the initiative in Finland, working collaboratively with other Finnish universities.

    The new institute will build on the achievements of the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI), which currently hosts ELLIS Unit Helsinki—the Finnish node of ELLIS. Professor Samuel Kaski, director of FCAI and ELLIS Unit Helsinki, will play a central role in the development of ELLIS Institute Finland.

    This initiative underlines Finland’s commitment to becoming a major hub for AI research and innovation, leveraging its longstanding expertise to address both local and global challenges through AI-driven solutions.

    Cyber Valley is proud to support and collaborate with ELLIS Institute Finland. Together, we look forward to advancing European AI research, fostering collaborative innovation, and addressing global challenges through the power of intelligent systems. This marks a significant step in uniting Europe’s AI efforts, strengthening our shared goals and vision for a more connected, forward-thinking AI research ecosystem.

  • Cyber Valley bündelt KI- & Robotik-Kompetenzen für das Gesundheitswesen

    Cyber Valley bündelt KI- & Robotik-Kompetenzen für das Gesundheitswesen

    Stuttgart, 28. Oktober 2024 – Am letzten Donnerstag fiel der offizielle Startschuss für das Cyber Valley Health Cluster mit einem öffentlichen Kickoff-Event am Standort Tübingen. Diese Initiative, die von Cyber Valley ins Leben gerufen wurde, zielt darauf ab, die Kräfte von Wissenschaft, Industrie und Start-ups zu vereinen und durch den Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz und moderner Robotik die Gesundheit aller langfristig zu verbessern.  

    Synergien zwischen Forschung und Industrie für KI-getriebene Gesundheitstechnologien 

    Das Health Cluster setzt auf eine enge Verzahnung von Forschung, Praxis und Technologie. Es fördert gemeinsame Projekte zwischen KI-Expertinnen und -Experten, Forschenden und Unternehmen, um innovative Lösungen für aktuelle und zukünftige Herausforderungen im Gesundheitswesen zu entwickeln. Dabei liegt der Fokus auf interdisziplinärem Wissensaustausch, der neue Ansätze und Lösungen ermöglicht, die über einzelne technologische Fortschritte hinausgehen.   

    Rebecca C. Reisch, Geschäftsführerin der Cyber Valley GmbH, hebt die Bedeutung dieser Zusammenarbeit hervor: „Das Cyber Valley Health Cluster ist mehr als nur eine akademische Initiative; es ist eine kollaborative Allianz, die den Austausch zwischen Industrie, Start-ups und Forschung fördert. Das Health Cluster bietet den Rahmen, um KI-basierte Lösungen zu entwickeln, die zur Bewältigung der drängendsten Herausforderungen der modernen Medizin und darüber hinaus beitragen.“

    Starke Cyber Valley Partner und Freunde sind bereits an Bord  

    Das Cyber Valley Health Cluster wird von starken Partnerschaften getragen und unterstützt. Zu den bereits bestätigten Partnern zählen namhafte Akteure wie Boehringer Ingelheim, ZEISS, die Universität Tübingen, die Universität Stuttgart sowie das renommierte Max-Planck-Institut für Intelligente Systeme (MPI-IS). Diese investieren maßgeblich in die Cyber Valley Community und spielen eine zentrale Rolle bei der Weiterentwicklung des Clusters.  

    Darüber hinaus wird das Cyber Valley Health Cluster von einer Vielzahl engagierter ‘Friends’ unterstützt, die das Netzwerk durch ihre Expertise und Vernetzung bereichern. Zu diesen zählen Immatics, Cegat, Ovesco, BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg, BioRegio STERN Management, sowie der Medical Innovations Incubator und die Start-ups Osora und Cerebri.   Weitere sind bereits in Planung.  

    Reisch unterstrich die Rolle der Cyber Valley Community: „Gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern und Freunden schaffen wir ein Umfeld, das die Entwicklung von Technologien vorantreibt, die nicht nur wegweisend, sondern auch praktikabel und ethisch sind. Denn nur gemeinsam haben wir die Chance, Baden-Württemberg und ganz Deutschland an die Spitze der globalen KI-Gesundheitsinnovationen zu etablieren.“ 

    Langfristiges Ziel: Eine enge und nachhaltige Gesundheits-Allianz 

    Das Cyber Valley Health Cluster wird gezielt Start-ups und Innovationsprojekte unterstützen, um den Wissenstransfer zwischen Forschung und Industrie zu fördern. Teilnehmende des Clusters profitieren von einem weitreichenden Netzwerk und neuen Verknüpfungsmöglichkeiten, die einen schnellen Transfer und die Entwicklung zukunftsweisender Lösungen ermöglichen. 

    Das langfristige Ziel des Clusters ist es, eine nachhaltige und aktive Community mit gebündelter Gesundheits-Expertise zu schaffen, in der interdisziplinäre Teams zusammenarbeiten, um globale Gesundheitsherausforderungen zu bewältigen. In den kommenden Monaten sind weitere Veranstaltungen und Interaktionsformate für das Cyber Valley Health Cluster geplant.  

    Über Cyber Valley 

    Cyber Valley ist Europas größtes und führendes Zentrum für Exzellenz in künstlicher Intelligenz und moderner Robotik. Die Mission und der öffentliche Auftrag bestehen darin, sich für Forschung, Entwicklung, Anwendung und Akzeptanz von Technologien sowie Methoden intelligenter Systeme einzusetzen. Cyber Valley fördert die Gründung von KI-Start-ups, indem es wissenschaftliche Exzellenz mit Innovation und Technologietransfer verbindet. Außerdem unterstützt Cyber Valley die kritische Reflexion der ethischen und sozialen Auswirkungen von KI. Cyber Valley strebt eine Zukunft an, in der das Potenzial intelligenter Systeme zum Wohle der Gesellschaft voll ausgeschöpft wird.  

    Pressekontakt: 

    Laura Neusser 
    Public Outreach Manager 
    Cyber Valley GmbH 
    laura.neusser@cyber-valley.de 

  • The Cyber Valley Start-up Network continues to grow

    The Cyber Valley Start-up Network continues to grow

    Medicalvalues:

    Medicalvalues develops AI-based solutions for integrated diagnostics, streamlining complex diagnostic decisions across various diseases. Their Order Intelligence software offers AI-supported digital ordering with modern report view. It supports customers in finding diagnoses with intelligent test suggestions and modern request and add-on ordering for special parameters. In addition to clinical chemistry, they also cover microbiology, genetics, hygiene, and other specialties.

    NECKAR:

    NECKAR manages finances proactively and focuses on growth by providing features like a financial dashboard for real-time reporting, as well as, tracking revenues and expenses. They use optical character recognition (OCR) to extract data from scanned documents, LLMs to interpret and categorize complex financial information, and provide insights by combining real-time data retrieval with AI-driven analysis.

    Yugen Space:

    Yugen Space is a space-tech start-up making Earth observation simple to tackle the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Their breakthrough AI platform turns satellite data into actionable insights, as easy to use as a Google search. The first step in their mission is focused on soil—creating precise nutrient and mineral maps from satellite data to monitor and enhance soil quality, predict and boost crop yields, and promote sustainability.

     

    Tetractys:

    Tetractys is a cutting-edge AI start-up that enhances AI accessibility for small and medium enterprises while boosting business revenue through innovative technology. It is developing a new generation of AI that is not only faster, more affordable, and user-friendly but it is also capable of real-time detection and analysis of relevant objects and events in data, featuring one-shot learning capability.

    In joining the Cyber Valley Start-up Network, these start-ups enhance the diversity and collaborative culture of the Cyber Valley Community. We are pleased to have them on board!

  • Cyber Valley Research Fund project optimizes focus and productivity

    Cyber Valley Research Fund project optimizes focus and productivity

    Unlike conventional attention training programs that rely on unrelated tasks or video games, ACTrain seamlessly integrates into the work environment, allowing users to enhance focus while actively engaged in their tasks. Users can specify the documents or applications on which they wish to concentrate and set a desired focus duration. The app then delivers real-time feedback on attention levels, transforming the workspace into a dynamic gym for strengthening focus and attention skills.  

    ACTrain uses a unique point system that is awarded based on a mathematical principle, which aligns short-term rewards with long-term value, helping users see the benefits of staying focused over time. The software is available for free on both Mac and Windows platforms at https://osf.io/8f6hx/. 

    Additionally, Lieder and his team collaborated with the non-profit organization Solve Education to integrate this point system into their educational game, The Dawn of Civilization, designed to help disadvantaged youth in developing countries learn English. An experiment revealed that this optimized point system led to significantly enhanced learning outcomes. 

    ACTrain is poised to redefine productivity and learning, enabling individuals to more effectively achieve goals and sustain focus in an ever more distracting world. 

    This project yielded the following peer-reviewed publications:  

    1. Wirzberger, M., Lado, A., Prentice, M., Oreshnikov, I., Passy, J.-C., Stock, A., & Lieder, F. (2024). Optimal feedback improves behavioral focus during self-regulated computer-based work. Scientific Reports, 14(3134). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53388-3 
    2. Kukamjad, T., Pauly, R., Heindrich, L., Amo, V., & Lieder, F. (2024, May). Evaluation of Brain Point Intervention in The Dawn of Civilization. UCLA Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference.  https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11284.48008 
    3. Pauly, R., Heindrich, L., Amo, V., & Lieder, F. (2022, June). What to learn next? Aligning gamification rewards to long-term goals using reinforcement learning. The 5th Multidisciplinary Conference on Reinforcement Learning and Decision Making (RLDM2022). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32661.19684 
    4. Teo. J., Pauly, R., Heindrich, L., Amo, V., & Lieder, F. (2021, June). Leveraging AI to support the self-directed learning of disadvantaged youth in developing countries. The first Life Improvement Science Conference. https://is.mpg.de/publications/paulyteoheindrichamolieder2021lisa-leveraging 
    5. Wirzberger, M., Lado, A., Eckerstorfer, L., Oreshnikov, I., Passy, J. C., Stock, A., Shenhav, A., & Lieder, F. (2020). How to navigate everyday distractions: Leveraging optimal feedback to train attention control. CogSci 2020. https://www.cognitivesciencesociety.org/cogsci20/papers/0380/ 
    6. Wirzberger, M., Oreshnikov, I., Passy, J., Lado, A., Shenhav, A., Lieder, F. (2020). ACTrain: Ein KI-basiertes Aufmerksamkeitstraining für die Wissensarbeit. 66th Spring Conference of the German Ergonomics Society. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14709.50406 

    Dr. Falk Lieder is now an Assistant Professor of Psychology at UCLA and the Director of the Rational Altruism Lab. 

  • Cyber Valley Days: Inclusive, diverse, and innovative

    Cyber Valley Days: Inclusive, diverse, and innovative

    In the following interview, Angelina Jukic, Program Manager at Cyber Valley GmbH, shares her experiences of the three-day event.

    What was your personal highlight during Cyber Valley Days?

    My personal highlight during Cyber Valley Days was The AI Incubator Demo Day. As program manager, I had the privilege of guiding young entrepreneurs and researchers as they developed their AI-driven business ideas, alongside my colleague Paul-David Bittner and three experienced coaches: Ralf Allrutz, Olga Mordvinova, and Michael Raschke. Watching the program participants confidently pitch their innovative solutions during Cyber Valley Days to a diverse audience of our community, such as investors and industry experts, was incredibly inspiring.

    What was the most memorable interaction you had during Cyber Valley Days?

    One of the most memorable interactions I had during Cyber Valley Days was meeting with our Japanese program partners. Our discussions were particularly enriching as we explored various opportunities for collaboration. We delved into potential projects that could benefit both our regions. The unique insights and innovative approaches they shared were not only enlightening but also opened exciting possibilities for future joint ventures. This interaction underscored the value of international partnerships and highlighted the global reach and impact of our AI initiatives.

    In what ways did Cyber Valley Days reveal the innovative, collaborative, and diverse culture of the Cyber Valley Community?

    The variety of sessions and activities, such as the Expo, the investor day, and more, allowed different AI communities within our company to come together and share their projects. The cross-functional interactions emphasized our collaborative spirit. Additionally, the diversity of ideas and perspectives presented throughout the event underscored our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where innovations thrive.

    What was your biggest surprise?

    My biggest surprise during Cyber Valley Days was realizing just how large and diverse our AI community already is. It was impressive to see the range of different AI applications being developed within our community. All in all, Cyber Valley Days showed how our community has the potential to drive significant advancements in AI technology.

    Read further interviews with Alina Benze (Business Development Manager, Corporates), Rebecca Beiter (Director of Communication & Society), Janell Lia-Breitmeyer (Scientific Coordinator), and Paul-David Bittner (Business Development Manager, Start-ups) to discover their perspectives on Cyber Valley Days.