A good idea alone is often not enough to successfully found a start-up from a university. People wanting to set up a business often lack a network, in-depth industry knowledge and, of course, the financial means to start a company. This is where the Bavarian funding program to support the easier transition to a start-up existence (FLÜGGE) offers ideal conditions.
Here we present two start-ups that received FLÜGGE funding and were founded within the funding period:
Angsa - the green robotics revolution against littering
The idea for Angsa Robotics GmbH arose from a passion for developing sustainable solutions to combat environmental pollution in parks and green spaces. Unlike on the street, conventional sweepers cannot be used here as they would destroy the grass.
Angsa Robotics has therefore developed an autonomously navigating robot that uses artificial intelligence to distinguish between litter objects (such as cigarette butts, plastic snippets, bottle caps, etc.) and non-litter objects (such as leaves, stones, etc.). The neural network architecture used can be trained and adapted to recognize any object.
The robot is also able to detect and avoid dynamic obstacles.
With their robot, the team has revolutionized automated waste collection in green spaces.
FLÜGGE promotion
Applicant: Bavarian University of Applied Sciences: Technical University of Munich
Funding period: 01.05.2021 - 31.08.2022
Funding amount: € 180,000.00
As part of the FLÜGGE funding, a robot was to be developed that removes small pieces of waste from gravel or green areas. Standard sweepers cannot be used on these areas. An artificial neural network architecture was developed, with which individual objects can be recognized with the help of cameras, as well as an autonomously navigating robot platform. The waste can then be removed with a vacuum cleaner, eliminating the need for manual collection. Several prototypes were built during the funding period. A patent application was filed for the basic technology in 2021.
Angsa Robotics GmbH was successfully founded during the 12-month FLÜGGE funding period.
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Angsa is the Indonesian word for "swan", because the first garbage robot prototype looked like a swan.
From the perspective of the entire founding team, FLÜGGE funding is a special opportunity for founders in Germany, especially for the cost-intensive development of hardware and robotics. For Angsa Robotics GmbH, FLÜGGE funding was essential and paved the way for the success of our start-up.
Bilal Tariq
Co-Founder Angsa Robotics GmbH
WeSort.AI - On the way to a 100% recycling rate
As a sensor-based sorting provider, WeSort.AI GmbH offers a modern and future-proof solution for the major challenges of waste management. With the help of artificial intelligence, WeSort.AI has succeeded for the first time in introducing waste into the recycling cycle so effectively and efficiently that 100% of all resources could be recycled in a closed cycle in the future.
The two managing directors and brothers, Johannes and Nathanael Laier, combine scientific and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. They combined these for the invention of the ultra-modern and practical AI.WasteSorter™.
With its innovative solution to the global waste problem, WeSort.AI has already won the prestigious Gründerpreis Plus from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWI) and the German Gründerpreis 2024. Together and as a continuously growing team, the young company is focusing on its next goals and tasks.
FLÜGGE promotion
Applicant: Bavarian University of Applied Sciences: Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences
Funding period: 01.09.2021 - 28.02.2022
Funding amount: 112,500.00 €
As part of the FLÜGGE funding, the prototype for a high-throughput waste analysis and separation system was developed. The system uses artificial intelligence to recognize objects and uses deep reinforcement learning to control and optimize the separation mechanism on a self-learning basis. WeSort.AI GmbH was successfully founded during the 12-month FLÜGGE funding period.
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Contact our team if you have any questions about the FLÜGGE funding program!
