#StartupsToWatch
“Industrial AI can only be scaled if factories have a reliable, universal database,” says Andreas Winter-Extra, partner at KOMPAS VC. That’s why the Danish investor has now invested in the Cologne startup United Manufacturing Hub (UMH).
One of the many startups that you should definitely keep an eye on is the million-dollar Cologne startup United Manufacturing Hub (UMH). The young company, founded in Aachen in 2021 by Christian Proch, Alexander Krüger and Jeremy Theocharis, wants to help companies digitally network their machines. “UMH connects shop floor and IT systems, structures industrial data in a unified namespace and enables manufacturers to quickly build scalable digital and AI-based use cases – from operational transparency to autonomous production processes,” says the team about the concept.
Most recently, the startup was able to convince investors such as the Danish early-stage investor Kompas VC, the Berlin financier seed + speed Ventures, the London investor Sustainable Future Ventures (SFV Capital), Archimedes New Ventures and business angels such as Jan Oberhauser and Jeff Hammerbacher. In the investment round, 5 million euros flowed into UMH. Vereits Freigeist Capital (Frank Thelen and Co.) and DnA Ventures previously invested in the IndustrialTech startup.
“Industrial AI can only be scaled if factories have a reliable, universal database. UMH creates exactly this foundation by converting fragmented production data into precise, contextualized data for modern analyzes and intelligent systems. UMH thus gives European industrial companies the necessary data backbone to drive innovation and operate globally competitively,” says Andreas Winter-Extra, partner at KOMPAS VC about the investment.
With the fresh capital, the company aims to “further strengthen its open source platform and accelerate product development, particularly in the areas of connectivity, advanced data modeling and AI agents.” Leading companies such as HiPP, Edeka and Böllhoff are already relying on UMH.
Get started in Cologne – #Koelnbusiness
In our focus on Cologne, we highlight the dynamic startup ecosystem of the Rhine metropolis. What are the conditions for founders, what investments flow into innovative ideas and which startups provide new impetus? Around 800 startups have already chosen Cologne as their location – supported by a lively start-up scene, a strong investor landscape and numerous coworking spaces, trade fairs and networking events. As a central contact point for the startup and innovation scene, the Cologne Business Economic Development Agency strengthens the framework conditions for founders, connects them with investors and offers targeted support. This section is supported by KölnBusiness. #Koelnbusiness on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
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