Cyber Valley AI Incubator: Batch 9 - Demo Day

What begins as a research idea can become the foundation for a new technology, a new company, or an entirely new approach to solving real-world problems. After intensive collaboration, expert-led workshops, and venture development, the teams of Cyber Valley AI Incubator Batch 9 will come together at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart to present the innovations they have been developing throughout the program.

The Demo Day brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, industry representatives, and members of the wider innovation ecosystem to explore how advances in artificial intelligence and robotics can move beyond the laboratory and into practical applications. 

Throughout the program, the teams have worked with experts across disciplines to develop their ideas and understand the challenges of building a technology-based venture. Workshops and mentoring have covered topics ranging from startup formation and investment strategy to legal considerations for AI, product development, and effective communication—helping participants consider not only what their technology can do, but also how it can create value beyond the research environment.

A highlight of the evening will be a keynote by Theodora Preda, Partner at Plug and Play, who will share perspectives on the investor mindset and the dynamics of early-stage investing. Her talk will offer the participating founders insights into how investors evaluate opportunities and what researchers and entrepreneurs should consider when taking their ideas toward the investment landscape.

The keynote will be followed by the final pitches from the Batch 9 teams, giving each venture the opportunity to present its technology and vision to an audience of investors, researchers, and industry experts. The evening will conclude with awards, networking, and a reception celebrating the achievements of the participating teams.

What is the Cyber Valley AI Incubator?

The Cyber Valley AI Incubator supports researchers and entrepreneurs in developing promising ideas in artificial intelligence and robotics into potential ventures. Made possible through the generous funding of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, the program has helped teams explore the path from scientific research to entrepreneurship, building a growing track record of ventures emerging from the Cyber Valley ecosystem. Over successive batches, participants have gone on to further develop their technologies, establish companies, attract investment, and contribute to the transfer of cutting-edge research into applications with potential impact beyond academia.

This event is invite only. Invitied guests have already been invited to attend per email. With quesitons, please contact (incubator@is.mpg.de).