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UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon Technologies, and NVIDIA Launch Physical AI Growth Lab for Europe's Most Promising Startups

Business & Financial Press

Oct 22, 2026

Munich, Germany – 22 October 2026 – UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA, today launched the Physical AI Growth Lab, an equity-free accelerator for Europe's most promising physical AI, robotics, and industrial AI startups. Running from January to April 2027, the program combines expertise, infrastructure, capital access, and enterprise networks to help founders scale.

Program Made for Startups to Scale
The program is led by UnternehmerTUM Accelerator and supports startups that are based in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) or building for EMEA, have a working prototype or minimum viable product (MVP), bring at least one technical co-founder, run teams of up to 20 people, and were founded within the last three years. The program runs in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Munich. During this time, the 10–15 selected startups get access to Microsoft for Startups benefits including USD 350.000 in Azure Credits, access to the NVIDIA SDKs and open models, benefits from the NVIDIA Inception program for startups, and access to Infineon’s hardware foundation for Physical AI. This includes its semiconductor stack, power semiconductors, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions that make physical AI systems actionable in the real world. Startups also access mentoring from 170+ deep tech experts, direct introductions to enterprise customers, and connections to a network of 200+ investors.

Physical AI: From Simulation to Reality to Europe's Market Leaders
Physical AI — the convergence of foundation models, simulation, and robotics — moves artificial intelligence from the digital world into machines, factories, and logistics networks.
Europe has great potential. In 2026 Europe will hold approximately 22.5% of the global physical AI market in 2026, supported by regulatory clarity under the EU AI Act and Germany's High-Tech Strategy 2025. Startups that build now, backed by the right technical foundation and early enterprise customers, have the opportunity to become category leaders before the market consolidates around dominant platforms.

Four Partners, One Goal: Accelerating Startup Success
UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA cover the entire path from prototype to commercial scale. By backing startups with access to capital, infrastructure, and industry experts, this partnership ensures that the next generation of physical AI companies is developed in EMEA.

UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, ranked Europe’s leading startup hub for the third consecutive year, brings 170+ mentors, 200+ investors, and a track record of launching scalable companies like Sereact, RobCo and Sewts. Startups coming out of UnternehmerTUM Accelerator have raised almost 4 Billion EUR in funding.
Microsoft provides Azure's AI and cloud infrastructure along with a global enterprise network.
NVIDIA deploys its full physical AI stack and open models, from training and simulation to edge deployment, plus Inception Program benefits.
Infineon supplies the semiconductor stack, power semiconductors, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions that make physical AI systems actionable in the real world.

"The European physical AI market is growing rapidly, and the moment is now to support startups with access to capital, infrastructure, and technology. With Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA, we're showing how real acceleration works," says Inga vom Holtz, Director Startups and Investments, UnternehmerTUM.

“Germany’s next major economic opportunity lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and industrial expertise. With the Physical AI Growth Lab, we are bringing startups, technology partners and established companies together to turn prototypes into market-ready solutions. This is an important step toward strengthening Germany’s position as a leading hub for the development and adoption of Physical AI,” says Agnes Heftberger, Corporate Vice President & CEO of Microsoft Germany & Austria

“EMEA founders working on robotics and industrial AI need access to the right tools early, while their products are still taking shape,” said Eran Rosenberg, Head of EMEA Physical AI Startups at NVIDIA. "The Physical AI Growth Lab brings NVIDIA physical AI SDKs, open models, and NVIDIA Inception benefits to startups in the program, so they can train, simulate, and deploy on one platform as they scale.”

“The future of robotics will be built through collaboration,” says Allan Frederiksen, Technology and Innovation Officer at Infineon. “As a semiconductor leader, we provide the electronics foundation that turns intelligence into motion. Through the Physical AI Growth Lab, we provide startups with access to technology expertise, development platforms and a strong ecosystem of industry partners and investors, helping accelerate the path from prototype to scalable real-world solutions. Startups are a melting pot of innovation, and together with our partners we aim to foster this momentum. We see physical AI as a major growth opportunity, and an entire ecosystem is forming around it, driving the technological leap toward autonomous robotic systems.”

Applications Open Now
The program runs from January to April 2027 in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Munich. Applications open now. Deadline: November 13, 2026.

More information about the program: https://physical-ai.accelerator.unternehmertum.de/

About UnternehmerTUM
UnternehmerTUM is a unique platform for the development of innovations. UnternehmerTUM actively identifies innovative technologies and initiates new business through the systematic networking of talents, technologies, capital and customers. UnternehmerTUM offers founders and startups a complete service from the initial idea to IPO. A team of over 500 experienced entrepreneurs, including scientists and investors, supports startups with business creation, market entry and financing – also with venture capital. For established companies, a team of experienced consultants offers access to the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem. UnternehmerTUM has many years of expertise in the development of innovation strategies and the implementation of technology-driven business ideas. Founded in 2002 by the entrepreneur Susanne Klatten, the non-profit UnternehmerTUM GmbH is the leading center for innovation and business creation in Europe with more than 100 high-growth technology startups every year - including Celonis, Proxima Fusion, and Isar Aerospace.

About Microsoft
Microsoft Germany GmbH was founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, U.S.A.) and employs more than 3,000 people across seven locations in Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart and Walldorf. Together with our 30,000 partners in Germany, we support organizations with innovative solutions for the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge, helping them succeed in the digital transformation and the age of AI.
Microsoft is also a global leader in areas including productivity software, IT security, innovative hardware and development platforms, including those based on open-source technologies. Through LinkedIn, our professional network connects more than 950 million people worldwide, while Xbox and Game Pass provide gaming experiences across platforms.
Microsoft is investing in the expansion of AI infrastructure and cloud capacity as well as in developing digital skills in Germany. Together with government, business and academia, we participate in a wide range of initiatives and projects to ensure that everyone can benefit from the progress of our digital society.

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization with its products and solutions. The Company had around 57,000 employees worldwide (end of September 2025) and generated revenue of about €14.7 billion in the 2025 fiscal year (ending 30 September). Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: IFNNY).