Image 1 | IDS Managing Director Alexander Lewinsky and Jan Hartmann with Denkweit CEO Dr. Dominik Lausch and Arvid Moritz (Head of Business Development) – Image: IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH 
Image 2 | Sigrid Rögner, Head of Business Innovation and Ecosystem at IDS, at the Computer Vision & AI forum with EIT Manufacturing – Image: IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH 
Image 3 | IDS team as coaches at the Zeiss Hackathon of the Senses 2023 – Image: IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH
IDS Imaging Development Systems recognized the AI trend early on. In 2018, the company launched NXT, a camera system that runs AI directly on the camera. The company sought an exchange with startups to explore the potential applications of the AI cameras and received valuable feedback. At the same time, the startups were able to test and optimize their applications on the camera. The foundation for collaboration with startups was laid.
Building a Startup Ecosystem
In an effort to further advance the topic of AI in image processing and to always be at the forefront of new technologies, IDS began to build its own ecosystem. A D/A/CH-wide network of startups, innovative existing companies, universities, accelerators and incubators quickly emerged. These partners help early-stage startups to turn their ideas into marketable products and establish initial business contacts. Since 2019, IDS has been in contact with over 100 startups in the field of machine vision. The company regularly organizes and participates in hackathons, business speed dating and startup events. At the first startup event in 2019 on IDS premises, 15 startups presented their ideas to IDS employees, the network, customers and investors. In 2021, IDS organized a public competition for startups to win an exhibition space at Vision trade fair at the IDS stand. The winner, the Fraunhofer spin-off Denkweit, which specializes in AI-based image analysis, marked the beginning of a far-reaching collaboration. In early 2022, IDS organized the first German-Japanese startup pitch in the field of machine vision together with Jetro (Japan External Trade Organization). The aim of the event was to give both German and Japanese companies an insight into the respective startup scene and the possibilities of machine vision. For this purpose, eleven startups pitched a wide variety of (AI) machine vision applications and use cases. After the pitches, the participants were able to get to know each other better in short 10-minute speed dating sessions.
Image Processing
Marketplace Visionpier
During the pandemic, it became clear that a purely technology-oriented exchange with startups is not enough to keep the network alive. For long-term success, startups need to generate venture capital or revenue above all else. This gave rise to visionpier, a marketplace that connects customers looking for solutions with suitable providers. Initially, the focus was on AI startups, but the platform is now open to all providers. In addition to matchmaking, IDS also offers networking events, including business speed dating and workshops on future-oriented topics such as synthetic data and new EU regulations that affect both providers and customers.
Successful Partnerships
One example of successful cooperation is the collaboration with Denkweit. The sales cooperation launched in 2023 facilitates access to highly complex technologies and drives AI forward. „We want to encourage companies to significantly improve their processes and products by taking advantage of new opportunities for automation and digitalization,“ says IDS Managing Director Jan Hartmann. The partnership with Denkweit is a logical consequence. „Our vision is to perfect image analysis for industrial applications by making complex technologies available in a simple, structured and customized way,“ emphasizes Denkweit CEO Dr. Dominik Lausch.
Outlook
IDS continues to work with startups from various sectors in order to participate in new developments at an early stage. Overall, IDS has established a culture of open exchange and collaboration with startups and other innovators. „We are firmly convinced that disruptive innovations will continue to come from the startup sector in the future, regardless of the direction they take. That’s why we need to further strengthen the community and the exchange of ideas,“ summarizes Sigrid Rögner, Head of Business Innovation and Ecosystem at IDS.
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