
Thüringen AI software specialist Spleenlab successfully closes first financing round
- Spleenlab develops AI software for the safe autonomous flight of drones and air taxis
- bm|t, APEX Ventures and a business angel have invested a seven-figure sum in the Thüringen high- tech AI company Spleenlab GmbH
- This first financing round will fund Spleenlab´s growth and market development
- The company´s location in Thüringen and rural areas are drivers of its innovation
- BayStartUP supported Spleenlab in approaching suitable investors
Spleenlab and bm|t, together with APEX Ventures and a business angel, are jointly bringing the future of mobility to East Thüringen. With the help of Artificial Intelligence, Spleenlab will enable the safe autonomous flight of drones and air taxis in the future. The aim of the seven-figure investment is the further expansion of the company and its successful establishment in a promising market. The financing round was also made possible by the support of BayStartUP’s investor network.
Innovative Technology
Spleenlab GmbH develops AI software for the autonomous flight of drones and air taxis. The fusion of different sensors such as cameras, laser scanners and radars with AI creates highly efficient technology applications. These capabilities can be used not only for flying, but also for the inspection and monitoring of industrial plants, the precise monitoring of forests, agricultural land and critical infrastructure, the safe transport of sensitive goods or the precise tracking of missing persons and accident victims. «Our aim is to develop tailor-made AI solutions for our customers and at the same time to strengthen confidence in this key future technology in Germany, Europe and beyond,» said Tobias Rüdiger, Head of Operations & Finance.
Machine learning and new forms of mobility
Getting drones and air taxis safely into the air without pilots is Spleenlab´s long-term goal. However, the company is not limited to only these markets, because the key to new mobility concepts lies in machine learning, a special form of artificial intelligence, as Dr. Stefan Milz, Head of Research & Development, emphasized: «Machine learning is a highly complex technology area. The algorithms we have developed are intended to enable vehicles and machines of all kinds to make independent decisions and thus carry out time-consuming processes faster, more precisely and, above all, more cost-effectively than ever before.»
Rural areas as driver of innovation
The successfully completed investment round strengthens Thüringen as a business location and shows that young high-tech firms are not only at home in metropolitan areas. Sebastian Süß, Head of Marketing & Sales stated: «We deliberately chose our home region as a business location, because we believe that the development opportunities in rural areas in particular are greater than in densely populated metropolitan areas. The proximity to various universities and economic clusters in the region, such as Jena, Ilmenau and Chemnitz, offers an ideal environment for our growth.” “We are therefore even more pleased to have a strong regionally rooted partner, bm|t, at our side who will, together with the technological experience of APEX Ventures, support our future path,» added co-founder Tobias Rüdiger.
Investing in a groundbreaking industry of the future
The engagement of bm|t together with APEX Ventures and a business angel is a conscious step into a dynamic digitalized future. «With Spleenlab, we are pleased to have a highly innovative Thüringen high-tech company on board and to be able to support its growth», said Katja Butzmann, Senior Investment Manager, bm|t. Andreas Riegler, founding partner of APEX Ventures added: «We are convinced of the idea and the deep know-how of Spleenlab and together we aim to establish the next market leader for AI solutions in Germany and Europe». The Bavarian start-up network BayStartUP provided valuable support in preparing this financing round by approaching investors that are a perfect strategic fit for Spleenlab’s business model.
About Spleenlab GmbH
Spleenlab, with its founders and managing directors Dr. Stefan Milz, Tobias Rüdiger and Sebastian Süß, has been active on the market as a highly specialized AI software company since 2018. The team members bring many years of professional experience as senior AI experts, managing directors and marketing experts to the company, which is based in Saalburg-Ebersdorf. With the successful financing by bm‑t, Apex Ventures and a business angel, Dr. Carlo Velten, in March 2020, Spleenlab aims to further grow the company and establish its market position.
About bm|t – beteiligungsmanagement thüringen gmbh
bm|t is the first address for investments in Thüringen, Germany. bm|t invests in start-up teams and companies in the Free State with a clear aim of generating positive investment returns. This is how innovation and economic growth in Thüringen are financed. bm|t currently manages eight funds with a total volume of over 400 million euros and invests in innovative companies in nearly all sectors and in all phases of company development — from the start-up and growth phases to buyouts and other succession situations.
About APEX Ventures
APEX Ventures is an European-based venture capital fund that invests in technology start-ups. Based in Vienna with an office in Frankfurt, the investor’s focus is on digital media, business intelligence & cybersecurity as well as FinTech and Future of Work.
About BayStartUP
BayStartUP is the Bavarian start-up network for founders, investors and companies. With the Bavarian Business Plan-Competition, an extensive coaching program and Europe’s largest investor network, it supports start-ups in optimizing their strategy, building up their business, and searching for seed and growth capital. For private and institutional investors, BayStartUP ensures a qualified deal flow and offers start-up insights at exclusive business angel meetings and investor conferences. With nationwide start-up industry matchings and conceptual offers, BayStartUP advises established companies on the development of suitable strategies for coöperation with start-ups. Via BayStartUP, founders have the opportunity to get in contact with approximately 300 active business angels and over 100 institutional investors. Since 2015, BayStartUP has brokered over EUR 263mm of capital in 259 actively managed financing rounds with a volume ranging from EUR 50,000 to EUR 6mm per investment. Companies supported by BayStartUP are active on the market with over 13,100 employees and generate revenues of almost EUR 1.4bn (as of 2017). These include eight IPOs and success stories such as Flixbus, eGym, Magazino, Voxeljet, numares, Transporeon and va-Q-tec AG.
www.baystartup.de
Media contact Spleenlab GmbH
Sebastian Süß
Managing Director |Marketing & Communications
+49 (0)176 211 30 295