Apply For Robotics Accelerator RobotUnion By 30 April!

RobotUnion is the first European acceleration project that discovers, supports, and funds innovative projects in the robotics industry. Launched within the framework of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program, RobotUnion launches its second open call with €2 million funding for startups and SMEs.

Addressing Market Challenges

RobotUnion aims to address the two major barriers that hinder the development and market uptake of robotics technologies: the elevated setup costs and the lack of awareness of the high potential that robotics represents for entrepreneurs and startups.

Through its call, RobotUnion will select 20 innovative startups that will develop projects in the field of robotics linked to agri-food, healthcare, civil engineering, and manufacturing. Each selected startup will receive up to €223,000 for its initial funding stage as well as access to technological support from European robotics experts and business acceleration services.

Overall, the support value for each startup totals up to €361.000, consisting of:

• Up to €223.000 in cash
• Up to €44.000 in voucher services
• Up to €93.000 in partner services, among which
  • Researcher in Residence Support (RTOs)
  • Business Mentor (ISDI)
  • Fundraising Mentor (Blumorpho)
  • Public Funds (FBA)
  • Corporates (Ferrovial, Fenin, Arla, MADE)
  • VCs (Odense, Chrysalix)

The 20 startups and SMEs selected in the first open call launched by RobotUnion will initiate an acceleration process of 16 months. For the first time, the participants will be accompanied from their research phase all the way through setting up the business. The startups selected will take part in a tailor-made training program and will have access to ISDI’s international network of recognized mentors from Google, Airbnb, Ikea, Yahoo, Prisa and Microsoft, among others.

The four best-performing companies participating in the program may obtain an additional €1 million of private investment in funding rounds lead by the VCs CHRYSALIX and ODENSE SEED AND VENTURE, with the support of Blumorpho.

Looking For Cross-Functional, Dedicated Teams

RobotUnion will further boost the visibility of startups and SMEs in the robotics sector taking part in top international events such as 4YFN at MWC Barcelona, Slush and Web Summit.

Startups looking to apply must be led by a balanced and cross-functional team fully dedicated to the project with experience in the target market and skills to make it happen. Teams working on robotics solutions in the following fields are invited to apply:

• Systems Development: Better systems and tools
• Human Robot Interaction: Better interaction
• Mechatronics: Making better machines
• Perception: Better action and awareness
• Navigation: Better positioning
• Cognition: Better action and awareness
• Artificial Intelligence: Better intelligence

Apply now at RobotUnion’s website – and mention “StartUs” for a win-win 😉

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