Through pilot projects and joint development initiatives, we collaborate with startups, industry partners, and universities in specific fields of innovation and associated technological fields. You bring your strengths to the table and we provide R&D excellence, industrial engineering, scalability, and the customers.
Your benefits at a glance:
- Joint pilot project
- Clear points of contact and decision-making
- Experienced open innovation team and fair terms
- Access to our R&D team and our innovation network
We are looking for startups in these areas of innovation. Do you have the right application, software, or technology here?
Smart and AI-ready
Smart and AI-ready: Open, standards-based data, digital twins, and on-device intelligence
Take automation to the next level with components that are smart, open, and AI-ready. By combining live device data, standardized interfaces, digital twins, and software-defined functions, while also ensuring full data sovereignty, we enable the seamless integration of components into any system as well as faster plant optimization. Let’s work together to make facilities smarter, more adaptable and more future-proof.
Please support us on the following:
Perception, condition monitoring, and industrial AI:Robust and reliable industrial AI from the edge to the cloud.
- Predictive AI (remaining useful life, anomaly detection)
- Computer vision and multimodal perception
- Embedded/Edge AI frameworks (testing and certification)
Industrial networking and synchronization: Industrial-grade wireless connectivity.
- 5G/6G networks for industry
- Wi-Fi/IoT connectivity
Advanced actuation: New drive and energy concepts.
- Electric drive technologies
- Advanced drive concepts (SMA, HASEL, Soft Actuators)
- Energy management and energy generation
Closed-loop control technology and functional development:
Faster commissioning thanks to intelligent parameterization.
- System identification
- Car‑tuning‑methods
Virtual first
Virtual first: Modelling, simulation, and validation before anything physical is created
Join us in shaping the future of automation – products that are digitally designed, tested, and optimized before they even exist in the real world. With virtual development, AI-powered configuration, and high-quality digital twins, we reduce risks, accelerate development, and enable “first‑time‑right" performance.
Let’s collaborate on the following technologies to create faster, smarter, and more seamless solutions for the factories of tomorrow.
Please support us on the following:
Digital twins and semantic data models: Seamless integration of digital twins across engineering‑ and commissioning processes.
- Digital twins and industrial metaverse connectors
- Virtual commissioning
- VR/AR integration for engineering and service
Physical AI and multi-agent orchestration: Planning and coordination of autonomous systems.
- Multi-agent orchestration‑Tasks and capabilities
- AI‑based motion planning (reinforcement learning, Sim2Real)
Control runtime and ecosystem: Scalable and portable runtimes for modern automation.
- PLC‑runtimes and software‑PLC (PLC, Edge, and Cloud)
- Motion control runtimes (CAM, coordinated motion)
Engineering experience and AI‑co‑pilots: Intelligent assistance for engineering‑workflows
- AI‑co-pilots and code generation (LLM, RAG, formal verification)
- Toolchain‑integration (model context protocol, APIs)
Ready to use in just a few minutes
Ready to use in just a few minutes: No expert knowledge required for setup; a truly plug‑and‑produce solution
Enables easy automation. Machines configure themselves, components identify themselves automatically, and new systems are up and running in minutes instead of days. With no specialized knowledge required, simple parameterization, and self-configuring protocols, we eliminate complexity and speed up commissioning. Let's work together to support plug‑and‑produce solutions and make industrial automation faster, easier, and fundamentally more accessible.
Please support us on the following:
Industrial networking and synchronization: Industrial-grade wireless connectivity.
- 5G/6G networks for industry
- Wi-Fi/IoT connectivity
Control runtime and ecosystem: Scalable and portable runtimes for modern automation.
- PLC‑runtimes and software‑PLC (PLC, Edge, and Cloud)
- Motion control runtimes (CAM, coordinated motion)
Digital twins and semantic data models: Seamless integration of digital twins across engineering and commissioning processes.
- Digital twins and industrial metaverse connectors
- Virtual commissioning
- VR/AR integration for engineering and service engineering
Engineering experience and AI‑co‑pilots: Intelligent assistance for engineering‑workflows
- AI‑co-pilots and code generation (LLM, RAG, formal verification)
- Toolchain‑integration (model context protocol, APIs)
Closed-loop control technology and functional development:
Faster commissioning thanks to intelligent parameterization.
- System identification
- Car‑tuning‑methods
Seamless and autonomous
Seamless and autonomous: Components that work together seamlessly within systems
Let’s shape the next level of autonomous automation with machines that work together seamlessly, make intelligent decisions, and adapt instantly. With coordinated systems, standardized data, and self-optimizing control loops, we improve overall plant efficiency, lower energy consumption, and reduce complexity during modifications and maintenance. Work with us to develop open, vendor-neutral solutions that keep your operations running smoothly – forward-thinking, flexible, and ready for whatever comes next.
Please support us on the following:
Sensor technology and transduction technologies: Next-generation industrial sensor concepts.
- Optical/photonics sensing
- MEMS-based sensor technology
- Quantum-inspired sensor concepts
Closed-loop control technology and functional development: Faster commissioning through intelligent parameterization.
- System identification
- Car tuning methods
Perception, condition monitoring, and industrial AI: Robust and reliable industrial AI from the edge to the cloud.
- Predictive AI (remaining useful life, anomaly detection)
- Computer vision and multimodal perception
- Embedded/Edge AI frameworks (testing and certification)
Control runtime and ecosystem: Scalable and portable runtimes for modern automation.
- PLC runtimes and software PLC (PLC, Edge, and Cloud)
- Motion control runtimes (CAM, coordinated motion)
Industrial networking and synchronization: Industrial-grade wireless connectivity.
- 5G/6G networks for industry
- Wi-Fi/IoT connectivity
Physical AI and multi-agent orchestration: Planning and coordination of autonomous systems.
- Multi-agent orchestration tasks and capabilities
- AI based motion planning (reinforcement learning, Sim2Real)
Efficient mechatronic motion solutions
Efficient mechatronic motion solutions: Optimized from design to operation
Design the next generation of high-performance motion‑systemswhere sensors, controls, and mechanics are pre-integrated and ready for immediate use. With optimized cycles, intelligent function integration, and pre-validated motion functions, we reduce energy consumption and complexity while shortening development time. Let’s work together to develop motion systems that operate faster, more efficiently, and seamlessly.
Please support us on the following:
Advanced actuation technology: New drive and energy concepts and fluidic solutions.
- Electric drive technologies
- Advanced fluidics and microfluidics
- Advanced drive concepts (SMA, HASEL, Soft Actuators)
- Materials and manufacturing technologies
- Energy management and energy generation
Control runtime and ecosystem: Scalable and portable runtimes for modern automation.
- PLC runtimes and software PLC (PLC, Edge, and Cloud)
- Motion control runtimes (CAM, coordinated motion)
Resources and cost-effective automation
Resources‑ and cost-effective automation:Achieve more with less energy and material – circular by design
Let’s work together to develop automation that achieves more with less through intelligent design, circular material flows, and tailored solutions that conserve energy and resources. By combining sustainable development with smart functional integration, we reduce waste, increase efficiency, and help customers achieve their ESG‑ and performance goals – without compromise.
Please support us on the following:
Perception, condition monitoring, and industrial AI: Robust and reliable industrial AI from the edge to the cloud.
- Predictive AI (remaining useful life, anomaly detection)
- Computer vision and multimodal perception
- Embedded/Edge AI frameworks (testing and certification)
Closed-loop control technology and functional development: Faster commissioning through intelligent parameterization.
- System identification
- Auto-tuning methods
Advanced actuator: New drive and energy concepts.
- Electric drive technologies
- Advanced drive concepts (SMA, HASEL, Soft Actuators)
- Materials and manufacturing technologies
- Energy management and energy generation: Physical AI and multi-agent orchestration:
Planning and coordination of autonomous systems.
- Multi-agent orchestration tasks and capabilities
- AI based motion planning (reinforcement learning, Sim2Real)
Digital twins and semantic data models: Seamless integration of digital twins across engineering and commissioning processes.
- Digital twins and industrial metaverse connectors
- Virtual commissioning
- VR/AR integration for engineering and service
Enabling life sciences and biotechnology
Enabling life sciences and biotechnology: Flexible, compliant automation solutions for life sciences and bioprocesses
Brings Life Science‑ and biotech‑processes together with automation that scales effortlessly from the lab to production. With modular platforms, preconfigured reactor modules, and compliant control architectures, we reduce integration efforts, support flexible development, and minimize contamination risks. Let’s work together to accelerate innovation in bioprocess technology with systems that are reliable, modular, and designed for rapid scaling.
Please support us on the following:
Sensor technology and transduction technologies: Next-generation industrial sensor concepts.
- Optical/photonics sensing
- MEMS-based sensor technology
- Quantum-inspired sensor concepts, closed-loop control technology, and functional development:
Faster commissioning thanks to intelligent parameterization.
- System identification
- Car tuning methods
Advanced actuation technology: New drive and energy concepts and fluidic solutions.
- Advanced fluidics and microfluidics
- Advanced drive concepts (SMA, HASEL, Soft Actuators)
- Materials and manufacturing technologies
Is your startup facing its next scaling challenge in automation, and you are unsure of where to start? We will guide you every step of the way, because we've already helped numerous startups scale their businesses.
Your benefits at a glance:
- A personal contact person who provides detailed advice
- Access to the Festo product portfolio
- Access to our partner network
- Prototyping at the Festo Experience Center
- Quick decision-making processes and partners who treat their collaborators as equals
Our Partners and Ecosystems
UnternehmerTUM Ecosystem
Within the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem, recognized as “Europe’s Leading Startup Hub”, we connect Festo use cases with leading deep-tech teams, from proof of concept to production readiness. This allows us to secure early access to innovations, shorten development times, and create measurable value for our customers.
MassRobotics
Through our partnership with MassRobotics in Boston, one of the world’s most influential robotics innovation platforms, we collaborate with an ecosystem that specifically brings together robotics startups, industry partners, research institutions, and investors. This network is one of the key hubs of the global robotics and automation community and provides quick access to the latest technologies, talent, and pilot projects.
NXTGN
NXTGN is an innovation platform based in Baden-Württemberg that connects deep-tech startups, research institutions, and companies. It supports new business ventures, promotes technology transfer, and facilitates collaborations between startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. The aim is to accelerate scalable, technology-driven innovation.
startup2mittelstand
With a focus on the efficiency and digitalization of business processes, we work with other medium-sized companies to find smart solutions. This includes, for example, areas such as procurement, human resources, and our manufacturing facilities.
Additional technology-specific partners and ecosystems can be found in our respective research areas or in our Future Concepts.
Get in touch with us
Please provide a brief overview of your technology or solution, its maturity level, and key validation results. Highlight how your approach adds specific value in the fields of innovation or technology, and describe what a joint pilot project or collaboration with Festo might look like:start-up@festo.com
This will allow us toquickly find the perfect starting point for our collaboration.