ExciteLab launches second startup cohort - focus on venture clienting

High-tech start-ups with real customers. Instead of waiting a long time for initial sales, the start-ups at ExciteLab rely on the venture clienting model.

Dresden, March 18, 2025 - The high-tech accelerator ExciteLab is launching its second cohort and supporting ten promising technology start-ups in the fields of semiconductor manufacturing, robotics and industrial automation.

The accelerator, an initiative of TU Dresden (TUD), the Excellence Center for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TUD|excite), SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator and TU Dresden Aktiengesellschaft (TUDAG), offers participating startups coaching, mentoring programs and access to industrial companies and investors.

Focus on the Venture Clienting Model

A special element of the program is the venture clienting model: Established companies act as the first customers and test the startups' solutions in practice. This enables the young companies to obtain market feedback at an early stage and build up sustainable business relationships. Comprehensive information on Venture Clienting can be found in the Startbase topic world.

The startups in the second ExciteLab cohort

The ten selected startups develop technological solutions for various industries:

• AlixLabs: revolutionizes semiconductor manufacturing with a method for producing chips more efficiently and cost-effectively.
• AuRaSys: Develops automation solutions for cargo bikes, including a contactless pushing aid for logistics and city cleaning.
• Chipmetrics: Offers measuring chips and wafers for the precise monitoring of 3D semiconductor structures.
• ConcR: Enables real-time monitoring of concrete and other cementitious building materials with IoT sensors.
• HandsOn Robotics: Develops robot-assisted automation solutions for the catering industry, particularly for dishwashing processes in commercial kitchens.
• IMEN: Creates an AI-powered miniature microscope for real-time observation of living cells in drug and cancer research.
• Kolbev: Builds off-grid, autonomous charging solutions for electric vehicles using renewable energy and second-life batteries.
• NanoChronia: Develops highly sensitive gas sensors for real-time detection of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Smarobix: Simplifies the integration of hardware acceleration into real-time systems for robotics and automation with a software solution.
• Taara Quest: Offers AI-supported training platforms to develop leadership skills, with a focus on diversity in the tech industry.

ExciteLab strengthens Dresden as a high-tech location

With the second cohort, ExciteLab is underlining its role as an important driver for high-tech start-ups in Dresden. Thanks to its close links with science and industry, the program offers an ideal environment for start-ups to develop their technologies to market maturity. The six-month accelerator program is carried out in cooperation with companies such as Infineon, Zeiss, SAP, CMS and other partners and offers the founders valuable networking opportunities, access to capital and strategic support.