Scantinel Photonics files for insolvency and seeks investor
Scantinel Photonics GmbH from Ulm has filed for insolvency. The Local Court of Ulm ordered provisional insolvency administration on August 6, 2025. Restructuring expert Georg Jakob Stemshorn from PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH was appointed as the provisional insolvency administrator.
Business operations continue
The start-up develops chips for autonomous driving(we recently reported on Scantinel Photonics here). It employs around 50 people, who have been informed about the situation. Their salaries are secured for three months by the insolvency benefit. The pre-financing of this benefit is currently being prepared. Despite the insolvency, the company continues to operate.
The technology is very innovative. We will carry out an investor process and are looking for an investor who can exploit the start-up's market potential.
Georg Jakob Stemshorn, PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH
Mr. Stemshorn explained that the company's technology is very innovative. The aim is to find an investor who can exploit the market potential. Business lawyer Maximilian König is also part of the administration team.
Planned investor process
The M&A experts at Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner have been commissioned to search for a buyer or partner. They are to carry out a structured investor process. The aim is to secure the future of the company.
CTO Andy Zott emphasized that the technology has great potential. He is confident that there are prospects for the start-up. The team will support the insolvency administration.
Background to the insolvency
The reason for filing for insolvency is liquidity problems. A planned financing round did not materialize. The reason for this is the crisis in the European automotive industry. In addition, there are delays in the introduction of autonomous mobility. As a result, Scantinel had to stop developing its sensor technology for the time being. Nevertheless, the technology is considered strategically important for Europe. The company is therefore looking for ways to continue development on a new basis. Scantinel received legal advice from the law firm Sonntag & Partner during the application process.
Key automotive technology
Scantinel Photonics was founded in 2019 and is based in Ulm. The company is a leading provider of FMCW LiDAR technology for autonomous vehicles and robotics. LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a key technology for self-driving cars.
The FMCW technology used by Scantinel differs from the conventional time-of-flight method. It enables objects to be detected at a greater distance and with greater reliability. This is especially true in poor weather conditions. Experts therefore see FMCW-LiDAR as a key technology for the mobility of the future.
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