Participated · Series B · Jun 2024

Founded in 2019 as an EPFL spin-out, Neural Concept offers an AI-first engineering platform that embeds geometry-aware, physics-based deep learning directly into computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation workflows. The software lets engineering teams explore millions of design options early, cutting late-stage redesigns by 30–50 %, shortening time-to-market by up to two years, and saving customers an estimated $50 million annually. Over the last 18 months, the company recorded a fourfold increase in enterprise revenue and now counts more than 50 global customers, including General Motors, GE Vernova, Renault Group, Safran and several Formula 1 teams. Near-term product plans include launching a generative CAD capability in early 2026 and deepening partnerships with Nvidia, Siemens, Ansys, Microsoft and AWS. The fresh capital will also fund global go-to-market expansion and reinforce Neural Concept’s position as the intelligence layer across engineering systems.

Participated · Series A · Dec 2023

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Vienna, HYDROGRID develops a SaaS platform that combines machine-learning-based inflow and power-price forecasting with intelligent optimization across short-, medium- and long-term horizons. The software enables hydropower plant operators to manage inflows, regulatory constraints, water usage and power trading in real time, effectively digitizing the entire workflow from water to money. Its solution is already used by hydro operators in seven countries. By improving operational efficiency, the company aims to maximize renewable electricity output while supporting a zero-carbon energy transition. Revenue, user counts, or other financial metrics were not disclosed in the article, but the business is characterized as a scale-up serving a global client base. The newly raised capital will be directed toward accelerating growth and expanding into additional markets.

Participated · Series A · Aug 2023

sewts develops robotic systems with human-like perception and grabbing skills to enable automatic handling of deformable materials. In 2022 the company launched its first series-ready product, sewts.VELUM, a robotic cell that picks crumpled laundered towels and feeds them into folding machines. The system targets industrial laundries to address labor shortages and improve operating efficiencies. sewts is developing additional use cases across the textile production lifecycle, with a concrete next step of automating the handling of returned clothes in e-commerce. With support from Otto Group, the company has already created a prototype for the e-commerce returns use case. sewts says its technology can reduce transport-related CO2 emissions, cut overproduction and waste, and improve human working conditions by bringing production and recycling closer to consumer markets. sewts develops a software-as-a-service solution that enables industrial businesses to automate processes involving easily deformable materials, initially targeting textiles and foils. The company's technology is first being applied to industrial laundry lines, with plans to expand into clothing production and other cross-sector applications in the textile and high-tech industries. Longer-term product roadmaps include extensions to foil and foam processing for additional production sectors. sewts intends to further develop its software into a series product, expand its development team and secure medium- and long-term integration and distribution partners. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Munich. As of the article, sewts employs a staff of 20 and completed a seven-figure financing round to support these plans.

Participated · Series B · Dec 2022

fruitcore robotics builds HORST, a digital-robot platform that bundles industrial-grade robots, digital control software, IoT connectivity protocols, intelligent camera peripherals and servicing to provide an end-to-end automation solution. The company targets smaller and medium-sized manufacturers that are reluctant to invest six-figure sums in automation by offering lower-cost, quick-to-implement and easily customisable systems. Three years into its market launch HORST is deployed with 60+ industrial clients across DACH and Italy and is used for tasks such as unloading vehicles, wrapping outbound products and handling turned, milled and stamped parts. The startup was founded in 2017 and markets HORST as a lower-investment alternative to generalised automation solutions that can cost $80,000–$150,000 or more. With recession risks noted, fruitcore emphasises cost competition and intends to expand internationally and grow sales. The newly raised capital is earmarked for product innovation, sales and marketing and international expansion as the company seeks to capture a large share of the European market by the end of 2023. Fruitcore Robotics develops and produces HORST (Highly Optimized Robotic Systems Technology) robot systems combining intelligent software and mechatronics to automate several hundred applications across ten industries. Its portfolio comprises three robot models with reaches of 600, 900 and 1400 millimeters and payloads between 3 and 12 kilograms. The company was founded as a spin-off from HTWG Konstanz, with first HORST prototypes produced in 2016 and the company established in May 2017. Fruitcore Robotics has grown to more than 80 employees and operates two locations: its headquarters in Constance and a production site in Villingen-Schwenningen opened in May 2020. It develops and manufactures its robots in Germany and has received early public startup support including the EXIST-Gründerstipendium and federal/EU startup funding. The company intends to use the new funds to expand its European presence and extend its digital services.

Participated · Series C · Apr 2021

Bitmovin builds cloud-native video infrastructure and developer tools for digital media companies and service providers. Its software-defined encoding service runs on any cloud platform and provides scalable media encoding, playback, and analytics features. The company supplies video developer tools used by major OTT providers including discovery+, fuboTV, DAZN, BBC, RTL, RedBull Media House, Globo, ClassPass and The New York Times. Led by CEO and founder Stefan Lederer, Bitmovin emphasizes product innovation and technology leadership in streaming. It maintains offices in San Francisco and Denver as well as internationally in Austria (Vienna, Klagenfurt), London, Berlin, Singapore and São Paulo. The company intends to use new funding to continue expanding its product and technology capabilities. Bitmovin is an Austrian multimedia company, now headquartered in San Francisco, that provides software-driven video streaming and OTT delivery technologies. It powers streaming services for customers including the BBC, fuboTV, Hulu Japan, RTL and iFlix. The company said the financing will be used to strengthen research and product development teams in Austria and to support sales and marketing investments to scale its distribution network. Bitmovin’s founding team contributed to modern video standards and the company emphasizes optimized, bandwidth-efficient, software-based delivery uncoupled from hardware. Financially, Bitmovin will receive up to €20 million in financing from the European Investment Bank, backed by the Juncker Plan. Bitmovin provides a developer- and API-focused platform for online video, including video compression, playback and analytics APIs. The company was founded by two creators of the MPEG-DASH streaming standard and targets TV streaming providers, internet companies and social media firms. Its technology roadmap includes AI-driven encoding, a video player that reduces page load time, and support for the royalty-free AV1 codec. Named customers include Sling, Periscope, The New York Times, ProSiebenSat.1, Red Bull Media House, FuboTV, RTL and iflix. Bitmovin plans to use new funding to scale product R&D, field engineering and sales teams worldwide to expand its global customer base. Financially, the company reported 3.5x revenue growth last year, expects similar growth this year, and has raised $43M in total to date. Bitmovin develops adaptive streaming and video-encoding software, including an HTML5 player that supports MPEG-DASH and HLS across desktop, mobile, Smart TVs and VR headsets. The company says its encoder produces output 100x faster and at higher quality than other services on the market. Its co-founders helped create the MPEG-DASH standard, which powers streaming on services like Netflix and YouTube and accounts for roughly 50% of peak U.S. internet traffic. Bitmovin already provides services for several recognizable names in the VR industry while maintaining significant work in traditional video streaming. Management intends to use new funding to accelerate development of its adaptive streaming technology for new mediums such as VR. The article frames Bitmovin’s product as addressing quality and device-mismatch issues as higher-resolution and diverse VR headsets enter the market.