We use pilot projects and joint development initiatives to collaborate with start-ups, industry partners and universities in specific areas of innovation and the corresponding technological topics. Bring your strengths to the table – we’ll provide R&D excellence, industrial engineering, scalability and customers.
Your benefits at a glance:
- Joint pilot project
- Clear points of contact and decisions
- An experienced open innovation team and fair terms
- Access to our R&D team and our innovation network
We are looking for start-ups in these areas of innovation. Do you have the right application, software or technology for this?
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, standardised interfaces, digital twins and software-defined functions – whilst ensuring full data sovereignty – we enable components to be seamlessly integrated into any system and systems to be optimised faster. Let’s work together to make systems more adaptable, future-proof and smart.
Support us on the following:
Detection, condition monitoring and industrial AI:industrial AI that operates reliably from the edge to the cloud.
- Predictive AI (remaining service life, anomaly detection)
- Computer vision and multimodal detection
- Embedded / Edge AI frameworks (testing and certification)
Industrial networking and synchronisation: industrial-grade wireless connectivity.
- 5G-/6G networks for industry
- Wi-Fi / IoT connectivity
Advanced actuation technology: 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 parameterisation.
- System identification
- Auto-tuning methods
Virtual first
Virtual first: modelling, simulating and validating before anything physical is created
Join us in shaping the future of automation – creating products that are designed, tested and optimised digitally even before they 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 work together on the following technologies to create faster, smarter and more seamless solutions for the factories of tomorrow.
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 coordinating autonomous systems.
- Orchestration of multi-agent system 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: configuration without the need for specialist knowledge, and real plug‑and‑produce functionality
Enables simple automation: machines configure themselves, components identify themselves automatically, and new systems are up and running in minutes rather than days. We eliminate complexity and speed up commissioning as there is no need for specialist knowledge, parameterisation is easy, and protocols are self-configuring. Let’s work together to support plug‑and‑produce and make industrial automation faster, easier and fundamentally more accessible.
Support us on the following:
Industrial networking and synchronisation: 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 parameterisation.
- System identification
- Auto-tuning methods
Seamless and autonomous
Seamless and autonomous: components that work seamlessly together within systems
Let’s shape the next stage of autonomous automation with machines that work together seamlessly, make intelligent decisions and adapt instantly. Using coordinated systems, standardised data and self-optimising control loops, we improve overall system efficiency, reduce energy consumption and simplify the process of making changes and carrying out 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.
Support us on the following:
Sensor and transduction technologies: next-generation industrial sensor concepts.
- Optical / Photonic sensors
- MEMS-based sensor technology
- Quantum-inspired sensor concepts
Closed-loop control technology and functional development: faster commissioning thanks to intelligent parameterisation.
- System identification
- Auto-tuning methods
Detection, condition monitoring and industrial AI: industrial AI that operates reliably from the edge to the cloud.
- Predictive AI (remaining service life, anomaly detection)
- Computer vision and multimodal detection
- Embedded / Edge AI frameworks (testing and certification)
Control runtime and ecosystem: scalable and portable runtimes for modern automation.
- PLC runtimes and soft PLC (PLC, edge and cloud)
- Motion control runtimes (CAM, coordinated motion)
Industrial networking and synchronisation: industrial-grade wireless connectivity.
- 5G/6G networks for industry
- Wi-Fi / IoT connectivity
Physical AI and multi-agent orchestration: planning and coordinating autonomous systems.
- Orchestration of multi-agent tasks and capabilities
- AI-based motion planning (reinforcement learning, Sim2Real)
Efficient mechatronic motion solutions
Efficient mechatronic motion solutions: optimised from design through to operation
Designs the next generation of high-performance motion systems in which sensors, controllers and mechanics are pre-integrated and ready for immediate use. With optimised cycles, intelligent integration of functions and pre-validated motion functions, we reduce energy consumption and complexity whilst shortening development time. Let’s work together to develop motion systems that operate faster, more efficiently and seamlessly.
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 soft 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 by creating intelligent designs, circular material flows and tailor-made solutions that conserve energy and resources. By combining sustainable development with smart functional integration, we reduce waste, boost efficiency and help customers achieve their ESG and performance targets – without exception.
Support us on the following:
Detection, condition monitoring and industrial AI: industrial AI that operates reliably from the edge to the cloud.
- Predictive AI (remaining service life, anomaly detection)
- Computer vision and multimodal detection
- Embedded / Edge AI frameworks (testing and certification)
Closed-loop control technology and functional development: faster commissioning thanks to intelligent parameterisation.
- System identification
- Auto-tuning methods
Advanced actuator technology: 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 coordinating autonomous systems.
- Orchestration of multi-agent 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
Advances life science and biotech processes with automation that can be scaled effortlessly from the laboratory to production. By using modular platforms, pre-configured reactor modules and regulatory-compliant control architectures, we reduce the integration workload, support flexible development and minimise the risk of contamination. Let’s work together to accelerate innovation in bioprocess technology with systems that are reliable, modular and designed for rapid scaling.
Support us on the following:
Sensor and transduction technologies: next-generation industrial sensor concepts.
- Optical / Photonic sensors
- MEMS-based sensor technology
- Quantum-inspired sensor concepts, closed-loop control technology and functional development:
Faster commissioning thanks to intelligent parameterisation.
- System identification
- Auto-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 start-up facing its next scaling challenge in automation and you don’t know where to start? We’ll guide you every step of the way, just as we’ve already helped numerous start-ups to scale up.
Your benefits at a glance:
- A personal contact person offering detailed advice
- Access to the Festo product range
- Access to our partner network
- Prototyping at the Festo Experience Centre
- Quick decision-making processes and a partnership of equals
Our partners and ecosystems
UnternehmerTUM ecosystem
In the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem – recognised as “Europe’s Leading Startup Hub” – we bring together Festo use cases with leading deep-tech teams, from proof of concept to series production. This enables us to secure early access to innovations, shorten development times and create measurable added value for our customers.
MassRobotics
Thanks to our partnership with MassRobotics in Boston – one of the world’s most influential robotics innovation platforms – we are collaborating with an ecosystem that specifically brings together robotics start-ups, industry partners, research institutions and investors. The network is one of the key hubs of the global robotics and automation community and provides rapid access to the latest technologies, talent and pilot projects.
NXTGN
NXTGN is an innovation platform based in Baden-Württemberg that connects deep-tech start-ups, research institutions and businesses. It supports start-ups, promotes the transfer of technology and facilitates collaboration between start-ups and small- and medium-sized companies. The aim is to accelerate scalable, technology-driven innovation.
startup2mittelstand
We focus on the efficiency and digitalisation of business processes and work alongside other medium-sized companies to find smart solutions in areas such as procurement, human resources, or for our production facilities.
Other technology-specific partners and ecosystems can be found in the relevant 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. Describe in which innovation or technology areas your approach offers particular added value and what a joint pilot project or collaboration with Festo might look like:start-up@festo.com
That will make it easier for us to quickly find the ideal starting point for our collaboration.