User Group: Start-up

  • 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 Days: Day 2

    Cyber Valley Days: Day 2

    Apéro & Cyber Valley Days Meet-up

    Cyber Valley is happy to host the Cyber Valley Days – an exceptional three-day forum for the Cyber Valley Community. Focused solely on AI, Cyber Valley Days features a wide program that emphasizes entrepreneurship and scientific innovation originating from Baden-Württemberg.

    Join us for Day 2 of Cyber Valley Days – Apéro & Cyber Valley Days Meet-up.

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

     

    When

    20 June 2024 | 18:00–20:30

     

    What

    Apéro & Cyber Valley Days Meet-up

     

    Where

    MPI Tübingen

    Max-Planck-Ring 4

    72076 Tübingen

     

    Register for Apéro & Cyber Valley Days Meet-up.

     

    __________________________________________

     

    By registering for this event, I grant permission to Cyber Valley GmbH and ELLIS Institute Tübingen gGmbH to use pictures, videos, and electronic media images in any promotional presentation within its community – offline and online, exclusively for non-profit-making purposes.

    During the Cyber Valley Days, pictures will be taken and videos will be recorded. These materials may be sent out to the media and used for internal and external communication purposes. These files will be stored in a secure location and only authorized staff will have access to them. They will be kept as long as they are relevant and after that time, they will be destroyed or archived.

    Further information on Cyber Valley data protection can be found at: https://cyber-valley.de/en/privacy-policy

     

  • Cyber Valley Days: Day 2

    Cyber Valley Days: Day 2

     

    AI Research & Funding Growth

    Cyber Valley is happy to host Cyber Valley Days – an exceptional three-day forum for the Cyber Valley community. Focused solely on AI, Cyber Valley Days features a wide program that emphasizes entrepreneurship and scientific innovation originating from Baden-Württemberg.

    Join us for Day 2 of Cyber Valley Days – Investor Day, where you'll have the opportunity to connect with investors and start-ups from the Cyber Valley Community, gaining invaluable firsthand insights through panel discussions and start-up demos.

     

    When

    20 June 2024 | 12:00–18:00

     

    What

    13:00 | Arrival & Registration (at Amazon Tübingen)

    13:00 | Coffee and Networking

    13:30 | Panel Discussions, Start-up Demos

    18:00 | Apéro (at MPI Tübingen) (please register here for Apéro)

     

    Where

    Deep Tech & Investor Day Program:

    Amazon Entwicklungszentrum

    72076 Tübingen

    Register for the Deep Tech & Investor Day.

     

    Apéro:

    MPI Tübingen

    Max-Planck-Ring 4

    72076 Tübingen


     

    _________________________________________________________

     

    By registering for this event, I grant permission to Cyber Valley GmbH and ELLIS Institute Tübingen gGmbH to use pictures, videos, and electronic media images in any promotional presentation within its community – offline and online, exclusively for non-profit-making purposes.

    During the Cyber Valley Days, pictures will be taken and videos will be recorded. These materials may be sent out to the media and used for internal and external communication purposes. These files will be stored in a secure location and only authorized staff will have access to them. They will be kept as long as they are relevant, and after that time, they will be destroyed or archived.

    Further information on Cyber Valley data protection can be found at: https://cyber-valley.de/en/privacy-policy

     

  • Cyber Valley Days: Day 2

    Cyber Valley Days: Day 2

     

    ELLIS Institute Tübingen – Scientific Symposium & Opening Ceremony

    We are thrilled to invite you to the grand opening ceremony of the ELLIS Institute in Tübingen!

    Founded on the broader vision of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS), the ELLIS Institute Tübingen is the first ELLIS Institute in Europe, set to become a world-class center for outstanding and free research in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

    We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging program featuring scientific presentations, distinguished guests, and insight into the vision of the ELLIS Institute, as well as the future of AI in Tübingen and Europe.

     

    When

    20 June 2024 | 09:00–18:00

     

    What

    09:00 | Arrival & Registration

    09:15 | Scientific Symposium I

    12:00 | Lunch

    13:30 | Scientific Symposium II

    16:30 | ELLIS Institute Tübingen – Opening Ceremony

    18:00 | Apéro & CVD Meet-up (please register here for Apéro)

     

    Where

    MPI Tübingen

    Max-Planck-Ring 4

    72076 Tübingen

     

    Register to attend the ELLIS Institute Tübingen Symposium & Opening.

    ______________________________________________________

     

    By registering for this event, I grant permission to Cyber Valley GmbH and ELLIS Institute Tübingen gGmbH to use pictures, videos, and electronic media images in any promotional presentation within its community – offline and online, exclusively for non-profit-making purposes.

    During the Cyber Valley Days, pictures will be taken and videos will be recorded. These materials may be sent out to the media and used for internal and external communication purposes. These files will be stored in a secure location and only authorized staff will have access to them. They will be kept as long as they are relevant and after that time, they will be destroyed or archived.

    Further information on Cyber Valley data protection can be found at: https://cyber-valley.de/en/privacy-policy

     

  • Cyber Valley Days: Day 1

    Cyber Valley Days: Day 1

     

    Connecting AI in the länd

    Cyber Valley is happy to host Cyber Valley Days, an exceptional three-day forum for the Cyber Valley community.

    Focused solely on AI, Cyber Valley Days features a wide program that emphasizes entrepreneurship and scientific innovation originating from Baden-Württemberg.

     

    When

    19 June 2024 | 09:30 – 17:00

     

    What

    09:30 | Arrival & Registration

    10:00 | Welcome & Opening

    12:00 | Lunch

    14:00 | AI Incubator Demo Day

    16:00 | Networking

     

    In parallel, you can meet the Cyber Valley Community at our EXPO from 10:00 to 14:00.

     

    Where

    MPI Stuttgart

    Heisenbergstraße 1

    70569 Stuttgart

     

    Register for the Opening, Community Expo & AI Incubator Demo Day.

     

  • 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.

  • Spinoff Summit 2024

    Spinoff Summit 2024

     

    About the Summit: 

    With an invite-only audience of around 150 hand-selected researchers, spinoff founders, universities, TTOs, VCs, industry, and ecosystem players, this summit is a launchpad for innovation, inspiration, and invaluable connections. We will bridge the gap between academia and entrepreneurship through talks, workshops, 1-on-1 meetings, panels, and a poster competition.

    This is a continuation of First Momentum’s successful Clueless No More online panels that were attended by more than 150 aspiring scientist founders and joined by VCs like Lakestar, Earlybird, and UVC, as well as research-driven founders from Wandelbots, DeepDrive, and Kipu Quantum.

     

    Our Speakers: 

     

    Dr. Stephan Herrmann (Co-Founder & CEO at Reverion) 

    Stephan is a physicist and engineer and the strategic mastermind and inventor of Reverion’s technology. Formerly heading a research group at TUM, he is now CEO and managing director of Reverion. As spin-off from the TU Munich, Reverion is paving the way to 100% renewable, decarbonized future by making the most of biogas.

     

    Dr. Ana Koller (Head of Research at First Momentum)

    As a VC, Ana is interested in everything Climate Tech and Energy related. She has a background in Nuclear Fusion, doing her PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics and a research stint at MIT. Ana continued her career as an Engineering Lead at the world’s biggest fusion startup, Commonwealth Fusion Systems in the US, before joining First Momentum.

     

    Dr. Fleming Bruckmaier (Co-Founder & CTO at QuantumDiamonds) 

    QuantumDiamonds is building a global quantum sensing platform that enables advancements across a variety of fields, from semiconductor manufacturing to biotechnology and chemistry. With a PhD in Quantumsensing from the TU Munich, their CTO Fleming is responsible for improving existing and developing new diamond materials for quantum sensing applications.

     

    Barbara Diehl (Chief Partnership Officer at SPRIN-D)

    Barbara aims to facilitate new disruptive innovations from Germany and support scientists through public funding. Before SPRIN-D, Barbara was Director of Transfer and Innovation at the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft, and leading early-stage investment programs and an executive education program at the University of Oxford's Entrepreneurship Centre and the Innovation Academy at the University College Dublin.

     

    Tom Nugent (Editor at Sifted)

    Tom is Sifted’s Digital Editor covering university spinouts. Sifted is Europe’s leading tech and startup media outlet. Backed by the Financial Times, its newsletter reaches more than 150,000 founders, VCs and other members of the startup ecosystem in Europe.

     

    Wolfgang Kerler (Editor-in-Chief at 1E9)

    Wolfgang is a co-founder of 1E9, creating optimistic journalism about future technologies and innovations, but also developing a new kind of tech journalism – journalism that is created together with the tech community. Before 1E9, he was a Burns Fellow at The Verge, a Vox Media brand, in New York, and Editorial Director of WIRED Germany.

     

    Where?

    ESO Supernova

    Karl-Schwarzschild-Straße 2

    85748 Garching, Germany

     

    When?

    4th of June, 2024. 9:00 – 18:00

     

    Registration: 

    More information for the event can be found here.

    Please register here.

     

     

  • Entrepreneurial Support for Scientists – Info Event

    Entrepreneurial Support for Scientists – Info Event

    Who to expect:

    Meet Cyber Valley:

    Discover Cyber Valley’s support for entrepreneurs and founders, from the Al Incubator program to our Proof of Concept and Innovation Fellowship grants.

    Introducing MAX!mize:

    Explore the opportunities to transform your research into a business with our comprehensive incubation program.

    Discover how we can support you in navigating the journey from laboratory innovation to successful startup launch.

    When and Where?

    April 10, 2024, 3:30 pm

    Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems

    Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569 Stuttgart

    Room Copper (2R04)

    April 11, 2024, 1:30 pm

    Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems

    Max-Planck-Ring 4, 72076 Tübingen

    Room NO.002 (Ground Floor)

    We are looking forward to seeing you!