Embedded Ocean: Founded in early 2020, the Munich-based startup has developed Xentara, a solution for real-time machine communication. It is designed to connect all existing systems and protocols used by a manufacturing company and complement them with new technologies and standards. The platform thus offers companies an easy entry point into data-driven production processes – starting with individual smart machines and extending to the ultimate vision of Industry 4.0, the self-optimizing "smart factory." Embedded Ocean has brought the Chinese company Justech Precision Industry on board to provide financial support. The group invested a six-figure sum in 2020. (Image: Embedded Ocean)