The Robo Innovate incubator, located at the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) of TUM, pursues a clear goal: to transfer research ideas from the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence into marketable companies more quickly.
The initiative addresses a key challenge in the deeptech ecosystem: While universities generate numerous technological innovations, their commercialization often fails due to a lack of infrastructure, capital, or networks. This is precisely where Robo Innovate comes in.
Since its founding at the end of 2021, the incubator Teams throughout the entire founding process – from the initial idea through prototype development to the creation of a marketable product.
"We connect and support students, researchers, industry and investors in startup projects and accompany founding teams on their journey from idea to a successful company,"
says Nicole Ebner, Managing Director of Robo Innovate.
Supported more than 100 robotics startups
Within approximately four years, Robo Innovate has already supported more than 100 startup teams. According to project manager Prof. Eckehard Steinbach, roughly half of the supported teams result in an actual company launch.
The resulting robotics startups have so far raised 52 million euros in investments.
Examples from the program include:
- Hula Earth – Technologies for analyzing biodiversity
- Angsa Robotics – autonomous robots for collecting waste
- Olive Robotics – modular robotics systems
The figures illustrate the role that specialized incubators can play in building a deeptech startup ecosystem around robotics and AI.
New funding phase until 2029
With the now extended funding, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs is providing a total of over seven million euros for the initiative. The current phase runs until June 30, 2029.
Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger emphasizes its importance for the location:
"Robo Innovate supports young talents in transforming ideas in the future fields of robotics and AI into viable business models. New startups are created and innovations flow into existing companies through collaborations."
Also new is the involvement of an industry partner: Neura Robotics is joining as a sponsor.
CEO and Founder David Reger explained:
“Complex, intelligent robotics should come from Germany. That’s why we support those who want to shape the future of this technology with new ideas and entrepreneurial courage.”
Infrastructure for robotics founders: Makerspace, hackathons and specialist networks
In addition to financial support, Robo Innovate provides the teams with specialized infrastructure. This includes, among other things:
- Office space for startup teams
- Access to the UnternehmerTUM MakerSpace
- Robotics and AI-specific workshops
- Networking meeting with industry and investors
- Hackathons and the specialist event “SPICE”
This infrastructure is particularly crucial in the field of robotics, as hardware development often requires workshops, prototyping facilities, and interdisciplinary expertise.
The incubator is part of the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), an interdisciplinary research network at TUM. Around 80 professorships collaborate there on robotic and AI-based solutions. The institute is headed by Prof. Lorenzo Masia and is one of the key research hubs for robotics in Europe.
Sources
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Press release Technische Universität München (TUM) 04.03.2026
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Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI)
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Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
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Company information Neura Robotics
