From AI to fusion power: The next 10 startups in Intel’s European deep tech accelerator

Intel Ignite, Intel’s deep tech accelerator for early-stage startups, has launched its sixth cohort in Europe. Starting on November 6, 10 startups will participate in a 12-week programme in Munich.

As part of the scheme, the selected companies will receive customised support on their growth journey, which includes mentorship, access to industry players and investors, and the opportunity to leverage Intel’s own resources.

The overall aim of the programme is to accelerate how entrepreneurs scale their technologies, find their product-market fit, and raise funding at higher valuations. Notably, Intel Ignite takes no equity stake, and the startups don’t need to pay a participation fee.

The 10 companies (chosen from a pool of nearly 300 applicants) span across a wide range of deep tech, from AI and machine learning to fusion power, chip-scale photonics, and quantum computing.

They have an average of €3.9mn in seed funding and originate from seven European countries: Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and France.

Here’s the full list:

• Deep Detection: Multispectral X-ray cameras for industrial inspection and material recognition of contaminants and composition through deep learning. 
• Dotphoton: Lossless raw data image compression for scalable and reliable AI in critical applications.
• Electric SQL: Local-first software platform for building modern apps that feel instant to use, support multi-user collaboration, and work offline.
• FononTech: Impulse printing for electronics via fine-grained patterns in the micro to millimetre range.
• Giskard: Testing and monitoring interface for ML models.
• Proxima Fusion: First generation of fusion power plants using QI stellarators.
• Quantum Diamonds: Quantum sensor-based technology for semiconductor failure analysis and quality control.
• Semron: High-density AI inference chip for edge AI applications that reduces energy consumption, without compromising compute power.
• SuperDuperDB: End-to-end framework to build and deploy AI applications on top of the data layer.
• Zerve: Coding platform for data science, AI development, and visual data exploration with production-ready output.

“We believe the startups and founders in this new cohort have the opportunity and the potential to change the world,” said Markus Bohl, managing director of Intel Ignite Europe. “These entrepreneurs could shape the next innovations in AI, the way the devices we use everyday operate, and the future of energy.”

Intel Ignite was launched in 2019. To date, it counts 148 companies in its portfolio, which have raised a total of €1.6bn in funding. It operates four hubs across the globe: Munich, Tel Aviv, Boston, and London — launched in early September.

Deep tech startups interested in participating in Europe’s next cohort can start applying in January 2024.