From July to October 2025, Infineon Technologies Austria and EIT Manufacturing joined forces to support the third edition of the Infineon Startup Challenge, a programme designed to accelerate the development of Edge AI solutions for intelligent IoT systems. The programme attracted 49 applications from around the world, with twelve deep-tech startups from eleven countries selected to further develop AI-driven prototypes using Infineon’s PSoC™ 6 AI Evaluation Kit.
Edge AI continues to play a growing role in next-generation industrial, healthcare and mobility systems, where on-device intelligence improves efficiency, safety and sustainability. To support this shift, the challenge connected early-stage innovators with Infineon’s engineering and business experts, creating a structured pathway to prototype development, market validation and potential collaboration.
Why this challenge matters
Manufacturers and IoT solution providers are increasingly turning to Edge AI to improve performance, reduce latency and increase system resilience. Yet many deep tech teams struggle to validate their technology with real users, access hardware or build business cases that resonate with customers.
The Startup Challenge addressed this gap by offering:
- Access to Infineon’s PSoC™ 6 AI Evaluation Kit and PSoC™ Edge AI Evaluation Kit;
- Hands-on training on embedded machine learning;
- Structured business support to help startups strengthen their market approach;
- Direct links to corporate partners, mentors and potential adopters.
For both startups and industry, the programme represented a low-risk way to test emerging technologies with real use cases.
Fostering innovation through technical and business excellence
The participating startups represented a wide geographic and thematic range: Austria (NOSI), Germany (TMA and AIDY Health), Poland (semiQa), Kenya (Nuruforge), the UK (ScareCrow Intelligence), Slovenia (Lemon Squeeze), South Korea (InHandPlus), Serbia (wellpet.ai), Ukraine (FrigoSense), Bulgaria (Innovariver Ltd) and Norway (AIMSES AS).
To support their development journey, the programme combined technical excellence, led by Infineon, business and go-to-market skills, delivered by EIT Manufacturing and ecosystem support. Throughout the three-month programme, the startups participated in technical and business-focused workshops, organised by Infineon and its network of eight partners, including EIT Manufacturing, Würth Elektronik, Eureka, Bridgio Tech Accelerator, Podim, Science Park Graz, INiTS and build! Startup Centre Carinthia.
In July, Infineon engineers delivered dedicated training sessions on embedded machine learning, guiding startups through the design, optimisation and deployment of their own AI models directly onto PSoC™ microcontrollers. These sessions provided the foundation for each team to advance from concept to functional prototype within the programme timeline.
Complementing the technical deep dives, EIT Manufacturing delivered workshops on go-to-market strategies, B2B sales and pitch development. These sessions helped founders clarify their value propositions, align their solutions with industry needs and communicate their innovations effectively to potential partners and investors.
"Our collaboration with EIT Manufacturing proved essential in turning technological potential into market-ready innovation. The hands-on business expertise and workshops helped startups translate deep-tech excellence into tangible value for customers and industry. "Andreas Mühlberger, Strategic Partner Manager at Infineon Technologies Austria
From prototypes to partnerships
The programme culminated on 1 October 2025 with the Demo Day, where the 12 startups presented their prototypes to a jury of eight experts from industry and the innovation ecosystem. The Austrian startup NOSI – Network for Olfactory System Intelligence GmbH emerged as the overall winner with its AI-supported technology that detects complex odour patterns to identify potential hazards such as fires at an early stage. NOSI will now continue to the Infineon Startup Night in Munich and explore long-term collaboration with Infineon Austria.
The 2025 edition of the Infineon Startup Challenge once again demonstrated the value of structured industry–startup collaboration in accelerating technological progress. For EIT Manufacturing, the programme reinforces our commitment to strengthening Europe’s manufacturing innovation capacity by supporting deep-tech entrepreneurs on their path to market.
Work with the participating startups will continue over the coming months through follow-up meetings, collaboration discussions and potential future engagements within the wider EIT Manufacturing and Infineon ecosystems.
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