The ingredients for a successful start-up are: A competent founding team, a good and profitable business idea, an innovative product, being open to feedback. The winning start-ups from phase 1 of the Munich Business Plan Competition impressed the jury with these qualities.
These are the winning teams
BioExoTec (Technical University of Munich) has developed a diagnostic test based on blood and saliva that enables atraumatic diagnosis of early-stage carcinomas. The test is 28 times faster and 6 times cheaper than standard diagnostics and is based on the RNA analysis of exosomes. The product consists of a diagnostic assay and software for easy application of the algorithm.
iNSyT Technologies (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität) is developing the first truly non-invasive real-time microscope for ultrafast nanoscale processes, revolutionising research and development in the fields of materials science and green energy.
Linque (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität) utilises disruptive photonic integrated circuits for information processing in the optical domain to enable various applications in computing and networking infrastructure. The company provides hardware and software solutions for energy-efficient (25x) and faster (10x) processing in high-performance computers, data centres and edge devices, especially for large-scale AI models.
MUVOpt (Universität der Bundeswehr München) focuses on software development for autonomous drones to ensure their coordination, planning of optimal flight routes, navigation and control in real time. A particular focus is on swarm-based military tactics for defence and drone defence through the coordination of ground and airborne vehicles. The software combines mathematical methods and innovative AI processes, resulting in robust strategies and fast calculations.
OVRLAY (Grünwald) offers with With Obsphera360 and ObspheraSTUDIO two software solutions (SaaS) based on its own AI and machine learning technology for the automated creation of digital twins and the development of digital marketing content. Precise 3D models are created from photos or videos that can be used for digital marketing, e-commerce and training. OVRLAY thus enables companies to enter the 3D web with cost and time savings of up to 90%.
Peak Quantum (Walther Meissner Institute / Technical University of Munich) develops, manufactures and distributes highly reliable quantum computing processors and accelerates the industrial breakthrough of this key technology. These processors are based on a unique error-proof architecture that is 10x more reliable and scalable than comparable processors. In this way, Peak Quantum accelerates the industrial usability of quantum computers, which today fails in particular due to the error-proneness of the processors.
ProP (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität) develops customised pro-proteins that specifically control biological processes - such as the sugar-to-fat metabolism. Their first goal: a therapy for type 2 diabetes. By activating a central switch protein in adipose tissue, blood sugar is regulated and at the same time the inactivation of this switch in the liver, kidneys and pancreas reduces secondary diseases. The result: a holistic treatment that improves quality of life and reduces the burden on the healthcare system.
Tenum is the software development platform for the Agentic Age that allows professional web apps, SaaS and hybrid apps to be developed and operated efficiently. This is made possible by the automation of all DevOps tasks and a high level of abstraction that reduces complexity. This allows developers and AI agents to concentrate fully on creating the business code without having to worry about setup or optimisation.
Thermovation (Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences) is launching the affordable heat pump for everyone. This is installed parallel to an existing oil or gas heating system and takes over 2/3 of the annual heating load, exactly in line with the new German Building Energy Act (GEG). This results in a compact and lightweight appliance with a heating output of around 3 kW, which is offered at a complete price of just €2,999 including installation.
Versatile Robotics (Munich, German Aerospace Centre e.V.) uses special control software to give robots sensitivity. Versatile Robotics thus addresses the pressing challenges in robotics: slow robots, stability and safety problems, high tuning costs and low precision. By solving these challenges, Versatile Robotics aims to help sensitive robotics and human-robot interaction achieve a breakthrough and automate dangerous and monotonous tasks.
Max Achmedschin, Head of Munich Business Plan Competition
The diversity and substance of this year's winners show the enormous potential of the South Bavarian tech and start-up scene. Our aim is to provide start-ups with practical expert feedback and a strong network to prepare them for market entry and upcoming financing rounds in the best possible way.
These start-ups were also nominated in the first phase of the competition:
- AudienceAI
- Beautechful
- Brakeable
- Lemonflow.ai
- MarketVista
- MEDIHUB
- Neuraforge
- ONYX
- SmartFoodie
- SoreAlert
Participate in phase 2 until 08 April
Start-ups from all over southern Bavaria can still enter the second phase of the competition until 08 April 2025 - even if they did not take part in phase 1. The focus is on business model, marketing and SWOT.