Merantix AI Campus

Advancing Healthcare with AI: Vara’s Game-Changing Milestone 40% of breast cancer screenings in Germany now rely on Vara’s AI platform. But the real breakthrough lies in their new study, published in The Lancet Group Digital Health, which shows how AI can increase cancer detection rates by up to 8.6% while reducing radiologists’ workloads by 84%. It’s a game-changer for healthcare systems worldwide. In a recent interview, Adrian Locher spoke with Vara’s CTO, Stefan Bunk, about what these findings mean for the future of cancer detection and the company’s mission to make screenings more accessible globally. With $8.9M in new funding, Vara is doubling down on scaling their technology, with a focus on emerging markets like India, where access to skilled radiologists is scarce but the need is critical. This conversation highlights how our portfolio company Vara is not just advancing AI, but reshaping healthcare systems to save lives. Read the full interview to learn about their vision, impact, and plans for the future: https://lnkd.in/d8SuV-4X #artificialintelligence #venturecapital #breastcancer #AI #breakthrough

🔔 Speaker Announcement 🔔 Curious about the future of AI quality? Join us at the MISSION KI Social! 🎤 We are thrilled to welcome Maximilian Poretschkin to take the stage! He leads the ‘AI Assurance and Certificationteam at the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems (IAIS) and conducts research on the operationalization of AI trustworthiness. As consortium leader of the interdisciplinary project ZERTIFIZIERTE KI and steering group member of the project MISSION KI, he develops test principles, test tools and standards for AI systems, and he has also published one of the first assessment catalogs for AI systems. During his talk, Dr. Poretschkin will introduce the voluntary AI quality standard developed with MISSION KI. The standard focuses on low risk AI applications and presents an efficient, yet comprehensive approach to turning trustworthy AI into a competitive advantage. 🎟️ Register here to join the conversation https://lnkd.in/ed6-8hTh #aicampus #aievent #aifounders #aistartups #euaiact #trustworthyai #reliableai

💡 Could the next big AI breakthrough come from real-world data that’s yet to be explored? How are industry leaders working to make AI more transparent, fair, and ethical? Is your organization struggling to move AI projects forward? These are some of the questions that drove the conversation during PackCon’s AI Hive ⭐️ This year’s conference brought together over 2,000 attendees, across 6 locations in Berlin, with 9 topic-focused hives, and 12 stages. We’re especially thrilled to have partnered with Project A and see three of our Campus residents take the stage in the “AI Hive,” contributing their expertise to move the AI conversation forward: 👾 Rasmus Rothe, Founder & General Partner at Merantix Capital, delivered a compelling talk on “The Future of AI,” emphasizing the vast opportunities in leveraging untapped real-world data that could unlock AI’s true potential. To dig deeper into Rasmus’ vision on AI’s next frontier and how Europe can lead the way, check out his latest article: https://lnkd.in/dq6wSPuZ 🔍 Franziska Weindauer, CEO of TÜV AI.Lab, joined Mina Saidze, Philipp Klöckner, and Cephas Ndubueze in a panel discussion on “Ensuring Trustworthy AI.” They dove into the essential principles that make AI transparent, fair, and reliable, covering ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and methods to mitigate biases. A powerful discussion for anyone invested in AI accountability! ⚙️ Viktor von Essen, Founder & CEO of Libra, joined Dr. Olivia Lewis and Thuy-Ngan Trinh in a session titled “Why Companies Are Failing to Implement AI.” They explored the barriers organizations face when scaling AI beyond pilot projects—issues like data silos, talent gaps, and cultural resistance—and offered actionable insights for leaders ready to unlock AI’s potential. At the Campus, we’re proud to see our residents sharing their expertise and enriching the AI ecosystem beyond our walls. Their contributions underscore our shared commitment to advancing responsible AI innovation and growing a collaborative, informed community. It was also quite the highlight for us to have hosted the “People Hive” within our walls to welcome founders, managers, talent & HR experts, to discuss today's performance-driven landscape, and the impact of AI on the future of work. 🎥 Missed PackCon this year? Catch the recorded sessions on Project A’s YouTube channel here https://lnkd.in/evrDeKfn Thank again to our friends at Project A for a great event and to the team for the ggreat collaboration Thuy-Ngan Trinh Florian Heinemann Chiara Z. Audrey Mann Romain Pichon Andrea A. #aicampus #aistartups #trustuworthyai #futureofai #PackCon2024 #AIHive #AIforGood #DigitalTransformation #aifounders #Innovation #aievents

How can quality standards increase trust in AI technologies? How can startups and enterprises alike benefit from voluntary AI quality guidelines? Be part of an exciting afternoon with MISSION KI at the Merantix AI Campus, where we’ll dive into Germany's AI ecosystem and the initiatives shaping its future. Learn how to foster cross-industry collaboration and supporting AI innovators, from startups to established enterprises, as part of the German government’s digital strategy. At the heart of their mission is the development of voluntary AI quality and testing standards to increase AI’s trustworthiness and reliability. You’ll also get a hands-on look at the #EUAIAct in an interactive session led by appliedAI, where we’ll explore its impact across the AI value chain. After the sessions, unwind and connect with fellow AI professionals over drinks and finger foods in a relaxed atmosphere 🥂 🎟️ Secure your spot by registering here https://lnkd.in/ed6-8hTh Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with AI thought leaders and explore the evolving landscape of AI quality and standards. Your gateway to trusted AI starts here! #ai #aicampus #euaiact #airegulation #aitesting #aistartups #aipolicy #missionki #founders #aieurope

Innovation often lies in cross-industry insights, but adapting solutions isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. How do you ensure these solutions address the real challenges of your industry? In this episode of our Resident Spotlights series, we had a conversation with Andreas Schilling, CTO & Managing Director at FactoryPal, to learn more about how AI is optimizing manufacturing, as well as the challenges that come with working on existing infrastructure that you need to digitize. You will also get to hear some future AI predictions from Andreas, the impact the Campus community has, and more about FactoryPal. 🎥 Want to learn more? Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/dtyUfP3K 🎟️ Join our events, engage with our community or find a workplace for your team or company: www.merantix-aicampus.com #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ResidentSpotlight #MerantixAICampus #AICommunity #Innovation #Tech #AI2025 #Startups #FutureOfAI #TechForGood #regulation #airegulation #euaiact #manufacturing

Step Inside the Future ⭐️ The Campus Demo Night gave us a look at the cutting-edge AI startups shaping tomorrow! Last week, we hosted our first-ever Campus Demo Night, with pitches and demos from four pioneering startups, the audience got a firsthand look at how AI is transforming sectors from cybersecurity to data analytics. Our Campus Startup highlights: 🛡️ Company Shield: Tom B. presented a captivating demo and gave us a peak into how they are preparing businesses for the next generation of cyber threats. Through realistic, AI-powered simulations, Company Shield equips employees to handle AI-generated cyber attacks, ensuring teams are proactive and resilient against evolving digital dangers. 📟 LLM Studios: Leo Schoberwalter & Leonard Off showcased how they are building the future of generative AI applications. From customizable frameworks to predictive conversational CRMs, LLM Studios is on a mission to make adaptive, dynamic AI user interfaces the norm, setting a new standard in how we interact with tech. 🚧 Deltia: Niklas Thum presented how they are enhancing productivity and quality on the manufacturing floor with AI-driven insights. By leveraging computer vision and data analytics, Deltia.ai enables companies to optimize manual processes and improve overall efficiency – a game-changer for shop-floor operations. 👾 Visuo: Milad P. introduced how they are reinventing data analysis with agent-based AI. Visuo’s no-code DataOps platform enables organizations to unlock data insights like never before, empowering teams with intuitive, intelligent data analysis without needing extensive technical resources. This is just the beginning! We’re planning more Demo Nights, bringing even deeper dives into the technology, passion, and innovation within our community. 🛰️ Stay tuned! #aicampus #aistartups #cybersecurity #AIdemo #FutureOfAI #TechDemo #AICommunity #StartupShowcase #DigitalTransformation #EmergingTech #GenerativeAI #DataDriven #AIInnovation #CyberResilience #SmartManufacturing #NoCodeAI #DataOps #AIinBusiness

🦄 How do you know when it’s time to stop building for others and start building for yourself? Last week, we had a ver special discussion at the Women’s AI Breakfast at the Merantix AI Campus. Our panel featured Charlotte Dryander (Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Sirius) and Johana Šperlová (Co-founder & COO at Mamio), former team members of Merantix Momentum, who shared their journey - from their early days at the Campus, to becoming founders. As always, moderated by Nicole Büttner (CEO of Merantix Momentum), here are some insights of the talk: 👥 The power of user-centricity: Both emphasized deeply understanding user needs and adapting their products based on feedback. They highlighted the importance of continuous user engagement for product development, especially in niche markets. 🔄 AI integration as a process: While AI is central to both companies' visions, they acknowledged it's often incorporated gradually. Sirius leverages AI for data analysis to enhance teacher-student matching, while Mamio envisions personalized content recommendations as a future application. 💶 Fundraising beyond metrics: Securing funding goes beyond impressive MRR. Demonstrating a strong team, market understanding, and a clear path to scaling is what resonated with investors. They emphasized the importance of gathering metrics for investors early on and starting communication with them from the beginning. 🧭 Navigating founder challenges: Both speakers openly discussed common founder difficulties, such as building and managing teams, making tough decisions, and overcoming self-doubt. 🌱 The importance of personal validation: The Q&A session brought up the struggle of validating one's entrepreneurial aspirations. Our speakers encouraged testing ideas, seeking feedback, and celebrating small successes to build confidence and overcome imposter syndrome. Big thanks to Charlotte Dryander and Johana Šperlová for such a personal and special talk! 🎫 If you would like to attend the Campus events, keep an eye on our website https://lnkd.in/eySq-s_P #womensaibreakfast #AI #AIStartups #WomenInTech #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #AIProduct #ProductDevelopment #BerlinStartup #Founders #UserEngagement #MusicTech #Marketplaces #TechInnovation #Merantix

Working on creative projects at the Campus is one of my favourite parts of my job 🎬 and I am looking for someone to work along with me! I’m looking for a "Content & Marketing Intern" to join me on exciting creative projects for the Campus! If you’re passionate about content creation, social media, and all things AI, this could be the perfect fit for you. You’ll be working on everything from social media posts and video content to event promotions and interviews. It’s a hands-on role where your ideas will have a real impact. If you love experimenting with design tools like Photoshop, AfterEffects, Canva, CapCut, and enjoy storytelling through photos, videos, and more, let's chat! We’re a creative and forward-thinking team, so if you’re enthusiastic about innovation and eager to bring new ideas to life, this is your chance! 👉 Apply here https://lnkd.in/eaYenzMG Know someone who’d be a great fit? Share this post! 💌 #aihiring #careersinai #contentcreator #aicampus #berlinjobs

🎥 Live on Youtube - Is the future of industrial AI worth the struggle, or are the hurdles simply too high for startups and investors? We had another great edition of our Merantix AI Breakfast, hosted by Merantix Capital & DTCF | DeepTech & Climate Fonds. On the panel we had Nazanin Daneshvar, Ceyhun (Jay) Derinbogaz (TextCortex AI) and Sven Przywarra (LiveEO) and Jonas Sommer (DTCF | DeepTech & Climate Fonds) discuss this topic. Here are 5 key insights from the discussion: 📟 AI Adoption, Inertia Remains a Challenge: While AI technology rapidly advances, large enterprises face significant inertia in implementing AI solutions due to cultural resistance, lengthy budget cycles, and slow procurement processes. 👩🏽🦱 Customer-Facing AI Leads in Value Creation: Current AI applications deliver the most value in customer-facing areas like sales, marketing, and customer operations, as these areas offer readily available data and faster adoption cycles. 🤖 AI Agents Show Promise, But Limitations Exist: AI agents prove effective for automating specific tasks like CRM and code review. However, they still require human oversight for complex decision-making and may not be suitable for all industrial use cases. 💾 Data Pipelines and Training Remain Key Bottlenecks: Building robust data pipelines and ensuring access to diverse, high-quality training data is crucial for AI adoption, especially in industrial settings where real-world data collection can be challenging. 🤝🏼 Proving Value and Building Trust Is Essential: To overcome skepticism and gain industry trust, AI startups must clearly demonstrate the value proposition of their solutions, address data privacy and security concerns, and focus on building long-term relationships with customers. 🎥 Would you like to watch the full discussion? You can check it here: https://lnkd.in/dFxX7fJj #IndustrialAI #AIAdoption #EnterpriseAI #DataPipelines #AICulture #AISales #CustomerSuccess #AIAgents #AIethics #DataPrivacy #InnovationPrograms #AIStartups #B2B #SaaS

One Model Will Not Rule Them All 🤖 This was the conversation during the GenAI Breakfast, during the ARRtist Berlin SaaS Week, hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) at the Merantix AI Campus! Yesterday we had a panel discussion featuring Andreas Blattmann (Co-Founder, Black Forest Labs), Jasper Masemann (Partner at Cherry Ventures), 🐙 Marc Mengler (CEO & Co-founder Octomind) and Gergo Kalcsics (Amazon Web Services (AWS). Here are our 5 key insights from the discussion: 📟 Specialized Models Over One Model to Rule Them All: While large foundation models are powerful, the trend in business applications is towards specialized models and model workflows tailored for specific tasks and industries. This customization is essential for delivering real value to users. 🤝 Open Source Drives Innovation and Safety: Open sourcing models, while carefully protecting core IP, is crucial for accelerating innovation and improving model safety. It allows for community feedback, fosters independent research, and leads to the development of valuable tooling and customization options. 🔥 Real-World Performance Over Benchmarks: Academic benchmarks are often flawed and don't accurately reflect real-world performance. Prioritizing human evaluation and building robust, evolving benchmarks that mirror user behavior are essential for developing truly useful models. 🏆 Data Quality Trumps Model Size for Customization: When customizing models, investing in high-quality data and annotation is more impactful than simply opting for larger models. Prioritizing data quality leads to better performance and efficiency. ⚙️The Importance of Product and Tooling: Building a successful AI product requires more than just a powerful model. Strong product design, intuitive tooling, and a deep understanding of user needs and workflows are essential for driving adoption and delivering value. Big thanks to the speakers, organizers, and attendees for making it such a great breakfast session! 🎫 If you would like to attend the Campus events, keep an eye on our website https://lnkd.in/eySq-s_P #GenerativeAI #OpenSource #AIModels #ImageGeneration #TextToImage #AIProductDevelopment #AICustomization #AIStartups #AISafety #HumanInTheLoop #AIBenchmarks #DataQuality #DiffusionModels #VentureCapital #merantixaicampus #aicampus #genai