User Group: Start-up

  • Health Network

    Health Network

    About the Cyber Valley Health Network

    The Cyber Valley Health Network strengthens the cooperation between science and industry that utilize artificial intelligence and modern robotics in health and medical fields. The Network provides an ecosystem that brings together players working on this important intersection to consolidate Germany’s position as a beacon for artificial intelligence and improve global health. The Health Network promotes joint AI and health/medicine initiatives, supports start-ups and corporate innovations, and provides members access to relevant networks and business opportunities.

    ContacT

    Alina Benze is dedicated to building strong relationships with corporate partners. She connects them with start-ups, technologies, and leading researchers from Baden-Württemberg to enable impactful partnerships and successful knowledge transfer.

    Academic and state partners

    • Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
    • University of Stuttgart
    • University of Tübingen

    Corporate partners

    • BioPro
    • BioRegio Stern
    • Boehringer Ingelheim
    • CeGat
    • Immatics
    • Medical Innovations Incubator GmbH
    • Ovesco
    • Roche
    • Zeiss

    Start-ups

    • Actimi
    • AIRAmed
    • Ambigate
    • Auditect
    • BinDoc
    • Biocompile
    • BrainKey
    • Cerebri Health
    • Cytolytics
    • Deep Care
    • Deep Scenario
    • dxOmics
    • Earlytrace
    • EndoSurge
    • Hellstern Medical
    • IntegraSkin
    • Medicalvalues
    • MiraVision Gmbh
    • OSORA
    • SKAI
    • Vicinity Bio
    • Visual Abstract
  • KI-D@ARENA2036-X

    KI-D@ARENA2036-X

    Project summary

    The future of AI is being built right here in the Stuttgart region! We are developing a program for a shared IT and data room infrastructure specifically designed to accelerate the training of AI models for start-ups and companies. At the heart of this initiative are computing resources, access to a collaborative data room, and the ability to integrate your own hardware into a collaborative usage model.

    Through the collaboration of the ARENA2036 team, Cyber Valley GmbH, DeepScenario and the Technical Communication Services of the University of Stuttgart (TIK) and the surrounding of real-world requirements by the members of ARENA2036, this initiative provides everything you need to explore, develop and perfect state-of-the-art AI applications.

    Join the program

    The infrastructure is made for ambitious start-ups and forward-thinking businesses, offering:

    • Computing resources that enable efficient training of AI models.
    • A cross-company data space that enables secure collaboration and innovation.
    • Custom hardware integration to push your projects to the next level.

    As a member of this program, you benefit from:

    • Flexible Access: Leverage ARENA 2036’s advanced systems for pre-competitive R&D on your terms.
    • Resource sharing: Like others, make your own resources available for shared use and benefit from scaling via the jointly created infrastructure
    • Proof-of-Concept Opportunities: Test ideas, run experiments, and validate your applications’ technical and commercial viability without heavy upfront costs.

    Empower your AI solutions with the tools and resources from ARENA 2036 to scale faster, smarter, and more efficiently.

    FAQs

    The project used to be in a pilot phase with a pre-selected group of start-ups actively utilizing the infrastructure to refine and validate its capabilities until the end of 2025, allowing us to gather insights and optimize the platform for broader use.

    We are pleased to announce that registrations will be available from mid–2026. Companies and start-ups will be able to use the infrastructure and benefit from its advantages. Stay tuned for more details and registration information!

    This project is funded as part of the co-financing program Artificial Intelligence by the Verband Region Stuttgart.


    Eligibility for Start-ups and Corporates

    To participate in the AI infrastructure, start-ups and corporates must meet the following criteria:

    • Commitment to collaborate: Participants should be open to collaboration and sharing insights within the infrastructure’s community, fostering innovation across sectors.
    • Focus on AI innovation: The project is designed for companies and start-ups working on AI solutions or related technologies.
    • Stage of development: Companies should be in a stage of development that aligns with utilizing high-performance computing resources for AI model training and R&D.
    Contact

    Angelina Jukic is dedicated to leading the design and delivery of programs for start-ups and partners across Cyber Valley. She drives collaboration across stakeholders and enables access to key resources and opportunities within the Baden-Württemberg innovation ecosystem.

    Contact

    Johannes Diemer is a research coordinator at ARENA2036, where he plays a central role in the KI-D@ARENA2036-X project. He leads and orchestrates collaborative research initiatives, working closely with project partners to drive innovation and enable effective knowledge exchange across the network.

    Partners

    • Verband Region Stuttgart
    • ARENA2036
    • Deep Scenario
    • University of Stuttgart
    • HammerHai
    • HLRS
    • Waveye

  • Valley and Sunrise

    Valley and Sunrise

    Be among the first European start-ups to explore Japan’s innovation ecosystem.

    We’re excited to announce the launch of Valley and Sunrise in partnership with the University of Tokyo and leading Japanese institutions and corporations. This market exploration program will bring up to two Cyber Valley start-ups to Tokyo for insights, connections, and opportunities in one of the world’s most advanced economies.

    Join the first edition and shape the future of cross-border innovation between Europe and Japan. 

    Key facts: 

    • Location: Japan and online.
    • Focus industries: AI and robotics.
    • Goal: Corporate partner discovery (one to two weeks) with the chance of undertaking a Proof of Concept (POC) with a Japanese corporation.
    • Funding and POC support: Financial support for market exploration plus additional funding for pilot projects (POCs) with Japanese corporates. Up to 50,000 Euros in funding available.
    • Partners: University of Tokyo’s network of Japanese corporate partners and investors.
    • Language: English (with Japanese interpretation as needed).
    • Application: November 5–December 5, 2025.

    Who can apply?

    • Start-ups wanting to join and visit the Japanese market.
    • Start-ups must be members of the Cyber Valley Start-up Network to be eligible.
    • Applicants should already have Product-Market Fit (PMF) in their home country (Germany).
    • Ideally, with annual revenues of €100,000 or more.

     What makes the Valley and Sunrise program special?

    • Exclusive access: Participants gain direct access to Japanese corporates, investors, and universities, opening the door to future pilot projects (POCs).
    • Tailored insights: Learn about Japan’s market potential, business culture, and regulatory environment.
    • Cross-cultural exchange: Contribute to shaping a lasting Europe–Japan start-up bridge.
    • Be a pioneer: Join the first edition and set the tone for the future.

    FAQs

    Japan is the world’s third-largest economy, boasting thriving AI, robotics, and healthcare sectors. The Valley and Sunrise program enables start-ups to evaluate Japan’s potential as a growth market.

    The Valley and Sunrise program focuses on MVP validation in the Japanese market. Start-ups should provide a proposal on how they envision achieving Product-Market Fit in Japan.

    Selected start-ups will receive financial support that covers the core program participation costs. Start-ups must cover their travel expenses upfront, and 1st Round/Uni Tokyo IPC will reimburse them later.

    Yes. One of the Valley and Sunrise program’s goals is to enable POCs with Japanese corporates and partners. POCs are always individual and depend on interest from corporate partners. The program facilitates connections and creates the right setting, but the concrete outcome depends on the match between your solution and the partner’s needs.

    Yes. Start-ups must comply with all legal travel requirements. A dedicated visa advisory team will be available to support participants.

    Each start-up may participate only once in the Valley and Sunrise Program. There are spaces for up to two start-ups in the first edition. If your start-up’s application to join the first edition is unsuccessful, you may apply to future editions.

    Yes. By joining, start-ups agree to appear in communication and marketing materials about the Market Exploration Program.

    Contacts

    Cyber Valley Contact

    Angelina Jukic is dedicated to leading the design and delivery of programs for start-ups and partners across Cyber Valley. She drives collaboration across stakeholders and enables access to key resources and opportunities within the Baden-Württemberg innovation ecosystem.

    UTokyo IPC Contact

    Hideki Nagasaka is Co-Founder & Head of 1stRound, Japan’s largest cross-academia, non-equity accelerator, and a Partner at UTokyo IPC. He is also involved in the Valley & Sunrise initiative with Cyber Valley, connecting start-ups, corporate partners, and research networks across Japan and Baden-Württemberg to foster international collaboration and technology transfer.

    Partners

    • UTokyo IPC
  • Call for applications: Next Frontier AI

    Call for applications: Next Frontier AI

    The goal is clear: to ensure Europe is not only a user of advanced AI systems, but a creator of the next generation of AI technologies.

    Why Next Frontier AI?

    While Europe leads in AI research and adoption, many of today’s frontier AI systems are developed and scaled elsewhere. Next Frontier AI addresses this gap by supporting teams willing to take high-risk, high-impact bets on what comes after today’s dominant AI paradigms. Rather than prescribing what the “next frontier” should be, the initiative invites researchers and builders to define it themselves – whether through new algorithms, training paradigms, data modalities, architectures, or entirely new approaches to AI.

    A challenge-based approach

    Next Frontier AI follows a challenge-based funding model designed to maximize experimentation and learning:

    • €125M in total challenge funding
    • Initial selection of 10 teams, each receiving €3M in non-dilutive funding
    • Multiple phases with progressive funding and selection
    • Full freedom to experiment, pivot, and pursue bold hypotheses
    • A long-term pathway toward up to €1B per team for those ready to scale globally

    The objective of the early phases is not to produce a finished frontier lab, but to identify and prepare exceptional teams capable of scaling transformative AI systems over the long term.

    Who should apply

    The initiative is aimed at:

    • AI researchers, engineers, and technical builders
    • Small, highly skilled teams (typically 3–5 people)
    • Existing startups or newly formed teams
    • Applicants with bold visions – entrepreneurial experience is not required

    SPRIN-D supports participating teams not only with funding, but also with company-building support and ecosystem access.

    Europe at the center

    Next Frontier AI is designed to strengthen European AI sovereignty by building AI systems in Europe, aligned with European values, markets, and industrial needs while remaining globally competitive. Cyber Valley is one of Europe’s leading AI and robotics ecosystems. We are amplifying these initiatives to reach frontier builders in Europe and Europeans working abroad who may be ready to come back.

    All details on eligibility, timelines, and the application process are available on the Next Frontier AI website. 

    If you want to join the challenge, sign up here: https://next-frontier.ai/join

    For deeper context on the vision behind Next Frontier AI, listen to the SPRIN-D podcast episode with Mirko Holzer and Dr. Johannes Otterbach. 

  • Mirelo AI: Shaping the Future of AI from Cyber Valley

    Mirelo AI: Shaping the Future of AI from Cyber Valley

    Carl Johann Simon-Gabriel’s career exemplifies the successful translation of cutting-edge research into entrepreneurial innovation. After completing his PhD under the supervision of Prof. Bernhard Schölkopf at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, he spent several years working in leading technology companies in the United States before co-founding Mirelo AI.

    Mirelo AI develops generative AI models capable of producing high-quality, production-ready sound effects directly from video content. This technology addresses a largely untapped area of audiovisual production and offers substantial potential for applications in film, gaming, and advertising.

    Founded in 2023, since joining the Cyber Valley Startup Network in 2024, Mirelo AI has become a strong example of how scientific excellence, ambitious vision, and effective execution converge within the region’s AI ecosystem. The successful completion of this seed round underscores both the company’s potential and the international relevance of the Cyber Valley research and innovation environment.

    Image: Flügelmann

    At the Demo Day of the Cyber Valley AI Incubator (Batch #6), Carl Johann Simon-Gabriel participated as a keynote speaker, sharing insights from his entrepreneurial journey and inspiring the next generation of founders. Reflecting on his experience, he noted:

    “Cyber Valley is a great initiative for emerging AI startups, especially because it is rooted in Tübingen’s world-renowned AI research scene and its talent pool.”

    Mirelo AI is continuing to expand its team and is actively recruiting talent to develop next-generation generative AI models for audio and video. Open positions are available on the company’s website: Mirelo.ai

    Related Start-Ups

    • Mirelo AI

      Mirelo AI

  • VC Ask-Me-Anything: Insights for Future Founders & Researchers

    VC Ask-Me-Anything: Insights for Future Founders & Researchers

    This event is aimed especially at PhD Students, researchers, and aspiring founders in Tübingen who would like to gain first-hand insights into how venture capitalists think and build early connections without the pressure of pitching.

    The event is jointly organized by the Tübingen AI Center and Cyber Valley GmbH. 

    Participants

    Meet Representatives from:

    What to expect

    • Insights into how venture capitalists evaluate early-stage companies

    • Practical advice on fundraising, market trends, and early start-up decisions

    • An open Q&A in an informal setting

    • Networking over pizza and drinks after the session

     

    The panel will be moderated by Professor Peter Gehler focused on tech transfer at Tübingen AI Center.

  • Cyber Valley at Heilbronn Slush’D

    Cyber Valley at Heilbronn Slush’D

    Heilbronn Slush’D is organized by Campus Founders, a start-up and innovation hub based in Heilbronn. The event was sold out, with over 1,000 participants from across Europe taking part in talks, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions. The festival enabled start-ups and founders to connect with key stakeholders and develop their ideas.

    For CELLnROLL (recipients of the Cyber Valley Innovation Fellowship Program) Heilbronn Slush’D was ‘an inspiring event bringing together founders, investors, and innovation leaders from across Europe.’ Following the event, they were ‘inspired, energized, and full of new ideas for what’s next!’

    Maximilian Bode, Co-founder of Cyber Valley Start-up Biocompile, was in attendance for the first time: ‘Despite the bad weather, it was a great experience!’ For Max, events like Heilbronn Slush’D are ‘places where the most interesting people meet.’

    Maximilian Bode (Biocompile) at Heilbronn Slush'D. Photo courtesy of Maximilian Bode.

    Maximilian Bode (Biocompile) at Heilbronn Slush’D. Photo courtesy of Maximilian Bode

    Johanna Kreßel from the University of Tübingen’s Startup Center also shared her impressions from her first time at Heilbronn Slush’D: ‘I really enjoyed the energy and open atmosphere that made it so easy to connect and have meaningful conversations.’

    Johanna Kreßel at Heilbronn Slush'D. Photo courtesy of Johanna Kreßel

    Johanna Kreßel (Tübingen Startup Center) at Heilbronn Slush’D. Photo courtesy of Johanna Kreßel

    KIT Gründerschmiede took part too. For them, Heilbronn Slush’D ‘was again a real experience – not only because of the wild weather, but above all because of the incredible energy that could be felt between impulses on stage, networking around the campfire, and conversations at the food trucks.’

    KIT Gründerschmeide at Heilbronn Slush'D

    KIT Gründerschmiede at Heilbronn Slush’D. Photo courtesy of KIT Gründerschmiede

    Members of the Cyber Valley Start-up Network have been recognized at previous iterations of the festival. Ventus Technologies secured the top prize of €100,000 in investment in 2023, followed by Tabularis AI claiming the same award in 2024. These examples show how Cyber Valley start-ups have benefited from the support provided by Campus Founders at Heilbronn Slush’D.

    By attending Heilbronn Slush’D, members of the Cyber Valley Community demonstrated the value of collaboration and were impressed by the growing momentum in Heilbronn. Through their scientific expertise and diverse perspectives, they are playing an essential role in the success of Germany’s research and innovation ecosystem.

    Photo courtesy of Heilbronn Slush’D

  • UTokyo IPC and Cyber Valley launch ‘Valley and Sunrise’

    UTokyo IPC and Cyber Valley launch ‘Valley and Sunrise’

    The Valley and Sunrise program originates from a strategic partnership between Cyber Valley, Europe’s leading center for excellence in AI and modern robotics, and UTokyo IPC, the venture investment arm of the University of Tokyo. It opens up UTokyo IPC’s academic and corporate networks to Cyber Valley start-ups, accelerating their market entry and commercialization in Japan and offering them a competitive advantage in global markets.

    Selected start-ups will receive:

    • Up to €50,000 in financial support for initial market entry.
    • Access to Japanese corporate executives, strategic investors, and regulatory expertise.
    • Customized Proof of Concept (PoC) partnerships with top-tier Japanese enterprises. 
    • Six months of personalized mentorship, networking opportunities, and guidance for successful market integration.

    Applications for Valley and Sunrise will be open from November 5 until December 5, 2025, with selected start-ups beginning the program in spring 2026. Up to two start-ups from the Cyber Valley Start-up Network will participate in the program. 

    Florian Mayer, Managing Director, Cyber Valley GmbH:

    ‘The Valley and Sunrise program offers German start-ups a unique opportunity to gain insights and connections in one of the world’s most advanced economies. The program encourages cross-border innovation between Germany and Japan, supporting deep-tech start-ups from the Cyber Valley ecosystem in Baden-Württemberg to thrive on a global scale.’

    Angelina Jukic, Program Manager, Cyber Valley GmbH:

    ‘This initiative has come to life through our close collaboration with UTokyo IPC. The Valley and Sunrise program turns our shared vision into reality – connecting German AI and robotics start-ups with Japan’s leading investors, corporates, and researchers, and strengthening collaboration between our two innovation ecosystems.’

    Hideki Nagasaka, Partner & Director, 1stRound, UTokyo IPC:

    ‘Through our collaboration with Cyber Valley, we are building a truly global platform, empowering German start-ups not only to succeed in the Japanese market but also to thrive internationally. We envision a dynamic ecosystem where innovation seamlessly flows between Germany, Japan, and beyond, creating lasting global impact.’

    About UTokyo IPC

    UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC) is a venture capital firm wholly owned by the University of Tokyo, established in 2016 to strengthen Japan’s global industrial competitiveness through startup investment and ecosystem building.

    As a public–private venture capital firm, UTokyo IPC has invested in more than 80 university-affiliated startups and venture funds both in Japan and overseas.
    Beyond investment, UTokyo IPC operates the Startup Building Program, which supports the commercialization of research outcomes; 1stRound, Japan’s largest academia-linked accelerator; and DeepTech Dive, a program dedicated to cultivating deep-tech talent. In 2024, UTokyo IPC launched the ASA Fund under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s initiative to promote global collaboration and establish Japan as a hub for deep-tech innovation.

    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 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.  
     

    Media Contact

    Hazel Rowland, Cyber Valley GmbH: hazel.rowland@cyber-valley.de
    Akiko Tsuchiya, UTokyo IPC: info2@utokyo-ipc.co.jp

  • Demo Day of the Cyber Valley AI Incubator

    Demo Day of the Cyber Valley AI Incubator

     

    Over the past six weeks, the Batch #7 teams of the Cyber Valley AI Incubator have been developing their AI-powered start-up ideas, guided by mentors from the Cyber Valley Community. Now, they’re ready to pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and an audience of investors, researchers, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs.

    The jury will recognize top-performing teams, who will win exciting prizes. Discover cutting-edge AI solutions and connect with key players from the region’s thriving AI landscape in an energetic atmosphere over drinks and finger food.

     

    When? 

    Thursday, November 20, 2025
    16:00–19:45 CET

     

    Where? 

    Amazon Research & Development Center

    Friedrich-Mieschler-Straße 4, 72076 Tübingen 

     

    Registration

    Please register via Eventbrite in advance as the number of participants is limited.

     

    The Cyber Valley AI Incubator

    The Cyber Valley AI Incubator is a six-week program for AI talent with brilliant ideas. It 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 groundbreaking 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 Cyber Valley AI Incubator is organized by the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung.

     

  • Green AI Day 2025

    Green AI Day 2025

     

    Was Sie erwartet:

    • Keynotes, Panels und Start-up Pitches rund um #GreenAI
    • 6 interaktive Breakout-Sessions zu Themen wie Ressourceneffizienz, Bildung, Industrie, Europa, Regulatorik und Verwaltung
    • Matchmaking, Afterparty und Catering

     

    Warum dabei sein?

    Weil KI ein Schlüssel zur Nachhaltigkeit ist – und wir sie verantwortungsvoll gestalten müssen. Der Green AI Day zeigt, wie das gelingen kann.

     

    Wann?

    Donnerstag, 25. September 2025, 12:00 – 22:00 Uhr

     

    Wo?

    Perkins Park, Stuttgart

     

    Interesse?

    Die Tickets für diese Veranstaltung sind limitiert. Falls Sie es noch nicht getan haben, können Sie sich hier anmelden unter: https://pretix.eu/GreenAIDay/2025/

    Weiter Informationen und Updates zum Programm finden Sie hier.

     

    Die Veranstaltung ist eine Kooperation der Wirtschaftsförderung der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, der Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH sowie der KI-Allianz Baden-Württemberg – und hat sich in den letzten beiden Jahren als überregionales Branchenevent etabliert.