Participated · Equity · Jan 2022

MetisMotion develops the patent-protected naXture actuator platform—highly dynamic, efficient, lightweight high-force electric actuators targeted at automation tasks. The company launched the naXture platform and its first product family, naXture go, in August 2021 and says its actuators offer exceptional force density, robustness and can save more than 75% energy versus pneumatic solutions. MetisMotion uses highly integrated microhydraulic circuits and hosts in-house research, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and service at its Munich site. Founded in 2018 following a carve-out from Siemens, the startup has already attracted national and international pilot customers across factory and process automation, mobility, robotics and MedTech. To meet rising demand it plans to triple its in-house manufacturing capacity and expand software and IIoT development to unlock smart functions and simplify customer systems. A second product family with extended smart features is expected in early Q3. MetisMotion develops highly dynamic, lightweight actuators centered on its patent-protected naXture actuator platform. Led by Managing Director Patrick Fröse, the company counts national and international manufacturers in factory and process automation, robotics and mobility among its customers. MetisMotion is a spin-off from the Siemens Group. The Munich site houses in-house development, production, marketing and sales. The company raised €1.5M to prepare the market launch of its naXture platform in late summer. MetisMotion develops dynamic, lightweight, force-optimized actuators intended for use in robotics, aviation, vehicle and safety applications. The company’s core technology focuses on ultra-light and dynamic actuator designs. MetisMotion was founded in 2018 by Dr. Wolfgang Zoels, Dr. Georg Bachmaier and Patrick Froese as a spin-off from Siemens AG. The spin-off was facilitated by the Siemens Technology Accelerator. The company intends to use the funds to finalize development and to execute the market launch of its first series products. The article reports the company raised over €1m in its initial funding to support those plans.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2018

Pyreos develops and manufactures thin-film pyroelectric (passive infrared) sensors. Its sensors are primarily used for gas and flame sensing, food safety, and monitoring oil and fuel in engines. The company’s technology was originally developed by Siemens and Pyreos was spun out of Siemens in 2007. Pyreos is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It intends to use the £1.7m funding for further commercial expansion. The latest investment brings total funding since 2015 to almost £7m. Pyreos develops ultra-low power consumption infrared sensor technology for consumer, industrial and environmental sensor products. It has developed high-performance MEMS-based sensors that enable a diverse range of products, including gesture sensors, oil sensors for wind-turbine monitoring, laser measurement sensors, gas sensors and energy-efficiency products. The company holds over 100 patents and patent applications protecting its thin film pyroelectric infrared sensor technology. Pyreos is a technology spin-out from Siemens and is led by CEO Jeff Wright. The company raised $4m in funding to support international expansion. It is based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and was founded in 2007. Pyreos develops patented thin-film technology with applications across the infrared sensor industry. It produces infrared sensor array–based products and works with manufacturing partners across the UK, Germany and Europe. The company intends to use recent equity funding to strengthen its global network of channel partners and to continue expanding its customer base. Pyreos was founded in July 2007 and is based in Edinburgh, UK. Recent corporate developments include adding Tony Lear, a 40-year veteran of the electronics and semiconductor industries, as Non Executive Chairman.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2016

BioMensio develops a smart handheld bio-screening sensor and associated cloud services to determine the presence of specific biomolecules. The sensing platform is powered by Mass-Sensitive Micro-Array technology and combines microfluidics with an array of microscopic weighing-scale pixels. Its mass-sensitive transducer chips use the company’s patented Film-Bulk Acoustic Resonance (FBAR) technology combined with application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). The technology targets application development for businesses and governmental organizations across food and beverage, healthcare, security and defense, and environmental monitoring. The company is led by CEO Ilari Antila and CTO Joni Leinvuo. BioMensio is based in Tampere, Finland and reported a €2.5m funding round.

Participated · Equity · Dec 2009

EnOcean, based in Oberhaching, Germany, develops maintenance-free, battery-free sensor-to-cloud solutions for sustainable IoT. Its products harvest energy from movement, light, or temperature changes using miniaturized energy converters, ultra-low electronics, and radio technology. The company supports open multi-protocol connectivity (EnOcean, Zigbee, Bluetooth, BACnet, Modbus, LON, and IAP) to enable smart buildings, services, and industrial processes. EnOcean’s solutions are used in building automation, smart homes, LED lighting control, and industrial applications to help optimize the CO2 footprint of buildings. It partners with more than 500 product manufacturers and says it has completed installations in more than a million buildings worldwide. Led by CEO Raoul Wijgergangs, EnOcean plans to use the new investment to accelerate growth, develop new sustainable IoT solutions, and widen its market footprint. The article does not disclose financial details of the investment. EnOcean produces maintenance-free wireless sensor solutions for use in buildings and industrial installations. The company said it will use new funding to develop an energy‑autonomous wireless technology and to expand its international market presence. Management indicated the financing will allow intensified sales activities in Europe, North America and Asia and further development of its platform technology. EnOcean currently employs 50 people in Germany and the USA. The company is based in Oberhaching, Germany and serves building and industrial customers with its wireless sensing platform.