Bridgio and Infineon launch pre-acceleration programme to boost European industrial startups

Fuelled by technological advancements, the smart manufacturing sector, or Industry 4.0, is experiencing a remarkable annual growth rate of 16.3%, with projections reaching $279.75 billion by 2028.

Despite the increasing demand for advanced tech solutions, the rapid pace of innovation often outpaces the solidification of these technologies. According to the World Economic Forum, 70% of companies investing in Industry 4.0 technologies find it challenging to move beyond the pilot phase.

In response, Bridgio, an international tech accelerator for industrial startups, has launched a joint Pre-Acceleration programme with Infineon Technologies, a large semiconductor manufacturer. This initiative aims to support European teams in creating robust and lasting tech solutions in Mobility, Energy, Industrial Automation, and Health Tech. Participants will benefit from Infineon's cutting-edge AI technology, sensors, and microcontrollers, enabling them to develop a working innovative product within three months.

The programme includes daily intensive sessions with mentors, tech experts from Bridgio and Infineon, and seasoned business consultants. Additionally, startup teams will have the chance to connect with a network of investors and test their solutions in real-world scenarios.

The acceleration programme will be conducted online and is open to English-speaking teams from across Europe. After the three-month period, teams will showcase their products and achievements to VCs and key decision-makers from Infineon at an in-person Demo Day in Austria. Successful participants may be invited to join a year-long innovation programme by Bridgio and Infineon Technologies.

“It's no secret that the primary reason for startups' failure is the lack of product-market fit. However, when it comes to industrial tech, the quality of execution is equally crucial,” said Roman Pakholkau, Founder of Bridgio Hardtech Accelerator. “I believe that support from a major tech corporation and startup accelerator will not only foster innovation but also mitigate early-stage investor risks and ensure the highest quality solutions, which can be easily embedded in the existing systems of any complexity.”

The Pre-Acceleration programme is supported by recognised leaders in embedded software development, industry thought leaders, startup communities, and universities such as Build, Promwad, Vilnius Tech, Innovations Hub, Wantex, Embedded, EE Times, TalTech University, and PSTP. The applications to the Pre-Acceleration programme are open until July 12.