Startups Pioneering Cutting-Edge Solutions to Overcome Industrial Challenges

Industrial technology has undergone significant maturation since the hype-driven period of the mid-2010s, as it now faces the undeniable challenges of hardware development while capitalizing on the convergence of IoT, AI, robotics, and data science. This convergence has led to the emergence of innovative solutions to longstanding industrial problems. Here are some early-stage companies at the forefront of this transformation:

FaradaIC Sensors is revolutionizing gas sensing technology by addressing the limitations of traditional sensors, which are often bulky, expensive, and power-hungry. This fabless semiconductor and chemistry company has miniaturized electrochemical gas sensors on microchips using advanced microfabrication techniques. The result is a multigas sensing platform that offers device manufacturers in the IoT and consumer electronics sectors a combination of miniaturization, low power consumption, and affordability, making it suitable for high-volume production. To date, FaradaIC Sensors has raised €2.5 million to support its innovative efforts.

Qlayers is tackling the challenges of manual coating processes in industrial applications by developing an automated robotic coating application. This technology addresses the limitations associated with coating large surfaces, such as storage tanks and wind turbines, by creating an environmentally friendly and reliable coating application process. With its technology, Qlayers enables coating companies to deliver improved and expedited services on-site while ensuring the safety of their personnel. Furthermore, it has the capability to create nature-based microstructures, such as the drag-reducing ‘sharkskin’ microstructure, in certified coatings at high speeds, enhancing energy efficiency. Qlayers has successfully raised €371,400 to advance its technology.

Touch Sensity has pioneered a groundbreaking technology called Sensity Tech, which enables materials to detect physical interactions without traditional sensors. In this innovative approach, the entire surface—whether solid, flexible, or even liquid—serves as the measuring instrument. By integrating AI, the system can locate and model in real time all physical interactions occurring on the material, analyzing pressure, deformation, and other mechanical interactions, thereby transforming the material itself into a sensing instrument. Touch Sensity’s technology has promising applications across diverse sectors, including aeronautics, space, transportation, and maintenance, and has secured €3.1 million in funding.

SYGLASS is addressing the challenges faced by the custom photonics market, such as long lead times, high costs, and the need for skilled labor, which hinder efficiency and scalability. The company has developed an automated manufacturing process for gradient optical elements, enabling rapid and scalable production of custom photonics. This technology drastically reduces lead times from over ten weeks to just a few days, eliminates the necessity for multiple machines and skilled personnel, and lowers production costs. By utilizing AI and IoT, SYGLASS automates the design, testing, and customization of nanostructured photonics, setting a new standard for efficiency and scalability in the industry.

ADAXIS is working to enhance the adoption of 3D printing in industrial sectors by overcoming challenges related to the small size of printable parts and the complexity of programming machines quickly. The company has developed AdaOne, a software solution that enables any robotic arm to function as a flexible, high-volume 3D printer for various materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and concrete. This technology empowers industrial robots to produce large parts with intricate shapes; for instance, a motorboat over four meters long was printed in a single operation. ADAXIS has raised €1 million to further develop its revolutionary software.

Covision Quality is advancing the field of visual inspection in industrial applications by providing software that employs unsupervised machine learning technology. This innovative technology automates the end-of-line quality control process across various downstream industries utilizing non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, and zinc, as well as ferrous materials like steel. The software significantly reduces deployment time for visual inspection systems while decreasing pseudo-scrap rates in manufacturing processes, enhancing overall efficiency and quality assurance.

These early-stage companies exemplify the innovative spirit driving the transformation of industrial technology, leveraging advanced solutions to address the pressing challenges of today’s manufacturing landscape. As they continue to develop and refine their technologies, they are well-positioned to reshape the future of industrial processes and contribute to the broader goals of efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving market.