News Category: Start-up Network

  • The AI Festival in Baden-Württemberg: Cyber Valley Days Begin!

    The AI Festival in Baden-Württemberg: Cyber Valley Days Begin!

    Stuttgart, June 19, 2024 – Our future will be shaped by the brightest minds of our time, especially through the use of AI. Experts from the German and international AI and robotics community will celebrate Cyber Valley Days from June 19 to 21. For today's kick-off event, entrepreneurs from the Cyber Valley Start-up Network, international AI experts from the Cyber Valley Community, and political representatives are gathering in Stuttgart at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems.  

    “Our Cyber Valley Innovation Campus represents groundbreaking research and serves as a best-practice example of close collaboration between science and industry”, says Dr. Stegmann, Minister of State and Head of the State Chancellery. “Cyber Valley Days – with their numerous regional and international partners – show us the level of expertise in AI technology we already have here, as well as the significant untapped potential. The event proves the leading role of this internationally renowned research consortium. Through collective efforts, we are shaping the future of trustworthy AI in Germany and Europe to drive important innovations forward.” 

    “The Cyber Valley Days mark an important milestone: With our network, we have already established ourselves as an internationally recognized, excellent research location with spin-off dynamics. Our community is not only innovative – it is also growing, according to the motto #bettertogether. In this way, we are putting Baden-Württemberg on the global map in the field of intelligent systems in the long term,” says Rebecca C. Reisch, Managing Director of Cyber Valley GmbH.  

    The AI Incubator as a springboard for founders  

    At the Expo, the exhibition of the Cyber Valley Community, the public can get to know the minds behind the future of AI and gain an insight into Baden-Württemberg’s innovative power. With close to 70 AI companies, the Cyber Valley Start-up Network is active in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, construction, mobility, and agriculture. Established and leading AI companies from Baden-Württemberg include vialytics, Sereact and Computomics. Other network members such as preML, hydrop systems and Swarm Logistics Technologies will be showcasing the latest AI trends at their booths at the Cyber Valley Days opening.

    Pitches from the participants of the AI Incubator in the afternoon will provide an insight into what the AI business models of the future will look like. Through The AI Incubator program, Cyber Valley supports AI researchers and young entrepreneurs in expanding their start-up ideas and successfully implementing them in the market. Renowned entrepreneurs and start-up coaches are on hand to provide them with free advice and support. The program is currently in its fourth round with 25 AI founders. The AI Incubator is financed by the Carl Zeiss Foundation.  

    Cyber Valley Days are a three-day event in Stuttgart and Tübingen from June 19 to 21, 2024 to celebrate the Cyber Valley Community. Its program focuses on entrepreneurship and scientific innovation in artificial intelligence and modern robotics from Baden-Württemberg.  

    Information about Cyber Valley Days 

    cyber-valley.de/cyber-valley-days

    Photos of the Cyber Valley Days can be downloaded from 18:00 CEST. 

     

    About Cyber Valley 

    Cyber Valley is Europe’s largest and leading center for excellence in artificial intelligence and modern robotics. Its mission and public mandate are to advocate for the research, development, application, and acceptance of technologies and methods in the field of intelligent systems. Cyber Valley encourages entrepreneurship by uniting scientific excellence with innovation and technology transfer. In addition, Cyber Valley facilitates critical reflection on the ethical and social implications of AI through public engagement. Cyber Valley envisions a future in which the full potential of intelligent systems is leveraged for the greater good of the world.   

     

    About the Cyber Valley Start-up Network 

    The Cyber Valley Start-up Network builds and promotes a vibrant community of AI entrepreneurs. Members get access to exclusive events and a diverse network of AI researchers, investors, and other start-up founders. The prerequisite for membership is a connection to Cyber Valley, such as being members or alumni of the Cyber Valley Community, or a location in Baden-Württemberg. The business models must have intelligent systems at their core. Further information: cyber-valley.de/start-up-network. 

    Media Contact: 
    Rebecca Beiter 
    Rebecca.beiter@cyber-valley.de 
    +49 (0) 160 9448 1797 

  • Almost 70 AI spin-offs: Cyber Valley’s Start-up Network continues to grow 

    Almost 70 AI spin-offs: Cyber Valley’s Start-up Network continues to grow 

    Stuttgart, 14. Juni 2024 – A unique community for start-ups in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged around the Cyber Valley. The Cyber Valley Start-up Network supports founders in the state to transfer AI research into applications. The model is extremely successful: many of its 67 start-ups to date have raised millions from international investors. At Cyber Valley Days, which is taking placefrom June 19 to 21, start-ups from the network will introduce themselves and present current AI trends. June 21 marks the beginning of a new phase of the Cyber Valley. During a ceremonial event, the first ELLIS Institute in Europe will be opened by Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and Science Minister Petra Olschowski. 

    “Start-ups are generators and drivers of innovation. They bring AI applications into society – from healthcare to mobility and agriculture,” said Science Minister Petra Olschowski on June 14 in Stuttgart. “Our Cyber Valley innovation campus offers founders optimal conditions: every month, three to five new start-ups join the network – including start-ups by AI researchers, but also existing new companies. With their innovative strength, these entrepreneurs are further strengthening Baden-Württemberg as a center of research and business. As the Ministry of Science, we helped to initiate the founding of Cyber Valley; and we will continue to support our AI innovation campus to the best of our ability in the future.” 

    Baden-Württemberg as the location for AI start-ups 

    “Artificial intelligence is complex and extremely fast-paced in its application. Those who want to start a business can develop their ideas wherever they find the best conditions – including an international and thematically diverse environment, access to computing power, and start-up capital. In other words, where the future is already being created, such as at the excellent science locations in Baden-Württemberg,” said Rebecca C. Reisch, Managing Director of Cyber Valley GmbH.  
     
    As a supplement to the Cyber Valley Start-up Network, the AI Incubator supports those interested in setting up a business in the Cyber Valley innovation campus environment. Over the course of eight weeks, participants learn how to expand their business models and successfully launch them on the market supported by experienced entrepreneurs and start-up coaches. The fourth cohort of 25 founders is currently going through the program. The AI Incubator is funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung.  
     
    “AI will rapidly change the way we work, communicate, learn, or play – and Germany must be at the forefront of this change to maintain our quality of life. This change will be driven by innovative start-ups. Cyber Valley's mission is to create the basis for scientific breakthroughs and to support start-ups that will lead the AI future,” says Michael Black, spokesperson for Cyber Valley and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen. 

     

    Millions invested in AI start-ups: three examples 

    Cyber Valley's AI start-ups are successful with investors:

    • In 2023, NEURA Robotics, a supplier of innovative cognitive robots, raised €65 million in two financing rounds.
    • The Esslingen-based start-up MARKT-PILOT developed a solution for dynamic and market-oriented spare parts pricing. To mark its fourth anniversary, the company announced one of the largest Series A financing rounds with 40 million euros.
    • Octomind, an AI-based end-to-end testing platform for development teams, recently received €4.8 million in seed capital. 

     

    Cyber Valley Days 2024: June 19 to 21 

    The network's almost 70 start-ups are active in a wide range of industries – including the healthcare sector, construction industry, in the field of mobility, and agriculture. This diversity will be highlighted at the Cyber Valley Days, a three-day event from June 19 to 21. The program focuses on entrepreneurship and scientific innovation in artificial intelligence and modern robotics. On Wednesday, June 19, start-ups and other members of the Cyber Valley Community will present in Stuttgart. Afterwards, the teams of the AI Incubator will pitch their AI business ideas to potential investors.   
     
    At the final on June 21, the new ELLIS Institute Tübingen of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) will be opened in the presence of Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and Science Minister Petra Olschowski. This first ELLIS institute in Europe will further strengthen the Cyber Valley innovation campus as an internationally visible beacon for research into artificial intelligence. The world's most talented AI researchers will be able to advance their ideas and developments in an optimal environment. The opening of the ELLIS Institute also marks the beginning of the next phase of the Cyber Valley Innovation Campus. 
     
    Cyber Valley is the country's first innovation campus, located in the Stuttgart/Tübingen region. Cyber Valley was launched in 2016 as a joint initiative of the state, science, and industry. Its aim is to put Baden-Württemberg at the forefront of AI. The innovation campus combines excellent basic research and practical application. The scientific backbone is formed by three academic founding partners: the Universities of Stuttgart and Tübingen and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. There are also other established partners from business and research. 
      
     

    Information about Cyber Valley Days:  

    cyber-valley.de/cyber-valley-days 

    Registration

    for the Start-up Expo on Wednesday, June 19, at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart: shorturl.at/euuwd 
     
    Registration for media representatives for the ceremony and opening of ELLIS on Friday, June 21, via
    Rebecca Beiter, Director Communications & Society Cyber Valley GmbH
    0160/9448 1797
    Rebecca.beiter@cyber-valley.de 
     

    Further information 
     

    About Cyber Valley    

    Cyber Valley is Europe’s largest and leading center for excellence in artificial intelligence and modern robotics. Its mission and public mandate are to advocate for research, development, application, and acceptance of technologies and methods in the field of intelligent systems. Cyber Valley encourages entrepreneurship by uniting scientific excellence with innovation and technology transfer. In addition, Cyber Valley facilitates critical reflection on the ethical and social implications of AI through public engagement. Cyber Valley envisions a future in which the full potential of intelligent systems is leveraged for the greater good of the world.  

     

    About the Cyber Valley Start-up Network   

    The Cyber Valley Start-up Network builds and promotes a vibrant community of AI entrepreneurs. Members get access to exclusive events and a diverse network of AI researchers, investors, and other start-up founders. The prerequisite for membership is a connection to Cyber Valley, such as being members or alumni of the Cyber Valley Community, or a location in Baden-Württemberg. The business models must have intelligent systems at their core.
    Further information: cyber-valley.de/start-up-network.  

  • Cyber Valley welcomes five new start-ups to its Start-up Network

    Cyber Valley welcomes five new start-ups to its Start-up Network

    Hellstern Medical 

    Hellstern Medical develops innovative ergonomic solutions for operating rooms, with a focus on reducing surgeon fatigue and pain during long procedures. Their flagship product is the NOAC (Surgeon Support System), an intelligent robotic exoskeleton device that uses motion capture technology to hold surgeons in any desired position at the operating table. The company uses operating room data to drive automation and revolutionize surgical procedures through the integration of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). 

    Textverstehen  

    TextVerstehen specializes in developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for text understanding and natural language processing. The company is developing AI models and algorithms that analyze text data, enabling applications such as automated text summarization, question answering, and content analysis. 

    OSORA 

    OSORA is a software company that has developed a predictive analytics tool for simulating and analyzing the healing process of bone fractures. Using digital twin technology, their software is designed to provide patient-specific predictions of how a particular bone fracture will heal over time. 

    Enerlace 

    Enerlace develops innovative software solutions that enhance visualization and reporting capabilities to speed up the deployment of renewable energy. By providing these solutions, the company seeks to help wind farm operators and other industry players optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately drive the growth of sustainable wind energy production. 

    Semanux 

    Semanux is dedicated to fostering digital independence, particularly those with motor disabilities. With their innovative Semanux Access software, users can intuitively control their computers not just with their hands, but also with their head, eyes, and feet. This innovation opens a new realm of possibilities for accessibility in technology. 

    In joining the Cyber Valley Start-up Network, these five start-ups enhance the diversity and collaborative culture of the Cyber Valley Community. 

  • Cyber Valley Welcomes Five New Start-ups

    Cyber Valley Welcomes Five New Start-ups

    IPS

    Inline Process Solutions (IPS) transforms industrial operations using AI-driven sensor technology and image analysis in chemical plant operations. This technology minimizes disruptions and energy consumption, optimizing processes with unparalleled precision.

    Kora Labs

    Kora Labs uses AI-based management tools to optimize fertilizer use, maximize yields, and minimize waste in the agriculture sector. By prioritizing efficiency, Kora Labs enables farmers to achieve higher yields with lower input costs, promoting economic growth.

    Logikon AI

    Logikon AI improves AI reliability by building AI applications to evaluate and control advanced large language model (LLM) systems. The start-up's tools and metrics can automatically debug, evaluate, and score LLM reasoning traces, allowing for faster development, reliable deployment, and higher reasoning quality of advanced LLM apps.  

    Mirelo AI: Enhancing Multimedia Experiences 

    Mirelo AI enhances multimedia experiences by fusing music and multimedia. Through developing foundational music models and applications, the start-up enhances engagement and creativity in videos and games.

    Octomind

    Octomind redefines software reliability by introducing an end-to-end test platform that preemptively identifies and resolves bugs for developers, vastly improving software reliability.

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

  • Cyber Valley AI Incubator unveils promising path for the leaders of tomorrow

    Cyber Valley AI Incubator unveils promising path for the leaders of tomorrow

    The first day of the AI Incubator commenced with equipping participants with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. A highlight of the day was the insightful keynote presentation delivered by Lukas Teichmann, founder of NODE Robotics. Teichmann shared his journey of founding a successful start-up, offering valuable personal insights and inspiration. As the day came to an end, participants engaged in team matching, collaborative group work, and the vibrant exchange of ideas.

    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 is organized as a collaborative effort among the Cyber Valley Community and generously funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. “The AI Incubator offers young, talented scientists an excellent opportunity to benefit from the broad expertise in Cyber Valley and to take the next steps in shaping the future," says Dr. Felix Streiter, Managing Director, Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. "We are pleased to be part of this program and thus promote the transfer from cutting-edge research into practice." 

    Rebecca C. Reisch, Managing Director, Cyber Valley, emphasized the importance of the AI Incubator for the start-up community. “We are proud to have another batch of the AI Incubator adding value to our ecosystem thanks to the generous support of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. The program offers a real opportunity to start companies out of research and network with investors. We want to support them in playing a leading role in shaping the next generation of AI start-ups made in THE LÄND.” 

    The program is open to students, PhDs, scientists, technologists, and business talent from the Cyber Valley Community, as well as interested individuals from Baden-Württemberg. While having a team or a specific idea is not a prerequisite for participation, the program offers potential opportunities for collaboration and idea development. “If you’re thinking about building an AI or robotics start-up – teaming up with some of the most talented young scientists from the European Machine Learning community, this might be for you,” says Alexander Rudolf Diehl, Senior Advisor, Cyber Valley.  

    The AI Incubator Batch #4 will culminate in a Demo Day, during which participants will pitch their final ideas to a jury and an audience comprising of investors, corporations, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The program will end during Cyber Valley Days, bringing all stakeholders together from June 19th to June 21st, 2024. As the AI Incubator occurs twice a year, the next batch will start in October 2024.

  • IntegraSkin, MiraVision, and SPAICE drive the Cyber Valley Start-up Network forward

    IntegraSkin, MiraVision, and SPAICE drive the Cyber Valley Start-up Network forward

    The three innovative start-ups offer groundbreaking solutions in their respective fields. IntegraSkin focuses on personalized medicine for skin diseases; MIRA Vision revolutionizes image analysis in microscopy and digital pathology through AI; and SPAICE pioneers autonomous space maintenance.  

    IntegraSkin combines molecular biological methods and AI to offer personalized medical treatment, focusing on chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Skin conditions affect 90% of individuals at some point in their lifetimes. Severe cases can disrupt lives and social interactions, often leading to a cycle of trial-and-error treatments. IntegraSkin is highly motivated to change this narrative, aiming to identify optimal treatments for dermatological conditions and provide effective solutions. 

    MIRA Vision is an AI-powered platform designed for quantitative image analysis in microscopy and digital pathology. It streamlines the process by offering fast, accurate, and reproducible analysis, significantly enhancing researchers' and pathologists' capabilities. With its innovative and patented technology, MIRA Vision integrates machine intelligence into microscopy, enabling users to analyze data at previously unattainable scales. Users can upload their image data, define regions of interest, select AI-assisted analysis, and explore the results, making complex analyses accessible in just four simple steps. 

    SPAICE offers the first fully autonomous solution for In-Orbit Services, specializing in tasks in the realm of space operations, including satellite life extension and debris removal. Their software is delivered through a plug-and-play servicing platform that includes sensors, robotic arms, and a computing unit. Their solutions can affordably enhance satellite lifespans by more than 50%, boost their revenue generation by more than 50%, and reduce collision risks by more than 20%. SPAICE enhances navigation by optimizing fuel consumption, enabling real-time onboard planning, and improving safety and precision in space operations. Founded by a top-tier team from prestigious institutions, SPAICE is currently validating multiple solutions through Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) with leading European and US space entities. 

    These start-ups showcase the diverse applications of AI across various domains. Joining the Cyber Valley Start-up Network opens up numerous collaboration opportunities with the Cyber Valley Community. These three new additions will advance research and development in artificial intelligence, foster interdisciplinary synergy, and drive technological innovation forward. 

  • NEURA Robotics joins the Cyber Valley Start-up Network

    NEURA Robotics joins the Cyber Valley Start-up Network

    NEURA Robotics was founded in 2019 in Metzingen near Stuttgart. The start-up builds robotics assistants to collaborate naturally with humans. Among its products is the world’s first commercially available cognitive robot MAiRA, which integrates AI and a Touchless Safe Human Detection sensor technology to perceive its surroundings and easily adapt to different environments. Its other products include:
     

    • LARA, a Lightweight Agile Robotic Assistant that combines a lightweight design with industrial performance.         
    • MAV, a Multi-Sensing Autonomous Vehicle that can autonomously move and load any type of good
    • MiPA, an intelligent, versatile robotic assistant designed to support people in various domains

    MAV MAIRA

    With these robotic assistants, NEURA Robotics has laid the groundwork for humans and robots to work hand-in-hand. By enabling seamless interaction with humans in existing environments, NEURA eliminates the need for complex and expensive safety systems. Their guiding principle, “we serve humanity”, underscores their commitment to creating attractive, safer, and more sociable workspaces.

    NEURA Robotics’ unique approach is to develop key components in-house, including AI, control software, sensors and mechanical parts. Under the leadership of founder David Reger, they have made remarkable advances in environmental perception, control engineering, materials science and artificial intelligence, and are on track to bring the first cognitive humanoid robot to market.

  • Cyber Valley Start-up Fiasco expands into insurance

    Cyber Valley Start-up Fiasco expands into insurance

    Kernen, 6. Februar 2024 – Zu der anfänglichen Kern-Zielgruppe Kfz- und K&L-Werkstätten wurden bei der FIASCO GmbH aus Kernen im Remstal Ende 2023 auch verstärkt Kunden aus der Versicherungsbranche akquiriert. 

    Schnell wurde auf Anbieter- und Kundenseite deutlich, dass die FIASCO-Plattform für all jene Fälle Vorteile und Nutzen bringt, bei denen es um Schadenabwicklungen und schnelle Kalkulation bei Fahrzeugen geht. Aufgrund erhöhter Nachfrage von Versicherungsunternehmen sowie aus anderen Branchen wie Flotten- und Leasinggesellschaften, Glas- und Hagelschaden-Experten, Anwaltskanzleien und Gutachter arbeiten die IT-Spezialisten von FIASCO regelmäßig an weiteren Optimierungen und Modulen der Webanwendung (verfügbar über Browser, keine native App). Mit dem neuen Produkt FIASCOdirect werden ganz gezielt Sachbearbeiter:innen aus der Versicherungsbranche angesprochen und bestmöglich unterstützt. Diese können in wenigen Sekunden und im Zuge von maximal vier aufeinanderfolgenden Schritten für jeden erfassten Karosserie-Schaden die voraussichtlichen Reparaturkosten ermitteln. Dabei müssen keine Schäden extra fotografiert werden. Gleichzeitig können die Kund:innen den Wiederbeschaffungswert mit den Reparaturkosten in ein Verhältnis setzen.

    Erklär Video

    Mehr über Fiasco

    Cyber Valley Start-up Network

    Mit dem Start-up Network fördert Cyber Valley eine lebendige Community von KI-Entrepreneurs. Mitglieder erhalten exklusiven Zugang zu einem vielfältigen Netzwerk aus KI-Forschenden, Investor:innen, sowie weitere Start-up Gründer:innen. Voraussetzung für die Mitgliedschaft ist eine Verbindung zu Cyber Valley, wie beispielsweise Mitglieder oder Alumni der Cyber Valley Community oder durch einen Standort in Baden-Württemberg. Der Kern des Geschäftsmodells bilden intelligente Systeme. Das Start-up-Netzwerk wächst kontinuierlich. Weitere Informationen über die aktuelle Anzahl der Start-ups und das Bewerbungsverfahren: https://cyber-valley.de/start-up-network

  • Cyber Valley welcomes AZOWO and Vectis Finance to the Start-up Network

    Cyber Valley welcomes AZOWO and Vectis Finance to the Start-up Network

    AZOWO is a unique platform offering integrated solutions in the mobility sector, including fleet management software, car and bike sharing, and real-time vehicle data. Their cloud software empowers companies, cities, and municipalities to efficiently implement innovative mobility services. AZOWO’s mission is to enable customers to build, transform, and manage critical processes in shared, connected, electric, and autonomous mobility. Leveraging artificial intelligence, the start-up incorporates advanced features like a unique booking algorithm and an AI document management system into their software platform. By doing so, they aim to facilitate the quick and effective realization of innovative solutions in the ever-changing field of mobility.

    Vectis Finance is on a mission to revolutionize the mortgage advisory industry through a cutting-edge LLM-based platform, comparing financing offers of more than 800 banks. Essentially, the platform serves as a digital co-pilot that is available 24/7, empowering homebuyers to establish new benchmarks in both speed and transparency. This puts the customer at the center of the mortgage process, while saving time for both mortgage advisors and other partners like real estate agents.

    By becoming part of the Cyber Valley Start-up Network, AZOWO and Vectis Finance have joined an AI community commited to advancing technology and fostering collaboration among start-ups, researchers, and industry partners. 

  • Cerebri and Tabularis.AI join the Cyber Valley Start-Up Network

    Cerebri and Tabularis.AI join the Cyber Valley Start-Up Network

    Cerebri is a pioneering medical diagnostic start-up dedicated to transforming EEG diagnostics and accessibility. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a medical test used to measure the electrical activity of the brain. With a mission to democratize EEG technology, Cerebri seeks to make expert-grade evaluations universally available, transcending geographical boundaries. The start-up addresses challenges in routine and emergency medicine, offering an innovative platform that combines easy-to-use EEG hardware with expert-level evaluation as a service. By integrating artificial intelligence, Cerebri enhances EEG diagnostics, making it more accessible and comprehensible for individuals worldwide.

    Tabularis.AI is a start-up specializing in generating synthetic data that allows for training machine learning algorithms while maintaining the quality of real data without compromising data privacy concerns. With Tabularis.AI, organizations can open up their data, leading to increased efficiency and reduced costs. This is particularly beneficial for tasks like evaluating sensitive customer data, preparing development data, or generating AI training data. Tabularis.AI enables the sharing of data insights while protecting sensitive information, fostering collaboration across teams and companies.

    By becoming part of the Cyber Valley Start-up Network, Cerebri and Tabularis.AI have joined a vibrant AI community dedicated to advancing technology and promoting collaboration among start-ups, researchers, and industry partners.