News out of the world of Fraunhofer startups

Verus Digital GmbH, a leading provider in the field of autonomous 3D digitization of objects, has secured a pre-seed investment to strengthen its presence in the German-speaking countries and explore new market segments. Angel investor network Gateway Ventures and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft are investing 750,000 euros in the Fraunhofer spin-off’s further development.

On February 19, 2025, the Fraunhofer Founder Award, endowed with 50,000 euros, was presented to the spin-off Fusion Bionic GmbH. The spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS impressed with its bio-inspired laser technology, creating a new standard in ultrafast surface processing for a wide range of industrial applications.

The spin-off Threedy GmbH has won the Fraunhofer Founder Award, which amounts to 50,000 euros and is awarded each year by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in partnership with High-Tech Gründerfonds. Threedy impressed the jury by revolutionizing the industrial use of 3D data.

Nicoustic AS has secured close to 25 mNOK (~2,3 m€) in seed funding to accelerate commercialization of a novel sensor system for non-intrusive measurement of level in process vessels based on Guided Ultrasonic Waves.

Triple Perfect: Equinor Ventures joins forces with Fraunhofer IKTS and experienced spinoff management and investment company CoFounder – resulting in the foundation of new deep tech venture “Nicoustic”. The new company provides offshore pressure vessel monitoring technology using guided ultrasonic waves.

The Fraunhofer spin-off E-VITA receives the Fraunhofer Founder Award 2021, which is endowed with 5000 euros. The spin-off managed to win over the jury, consisting of Fraunhofer Venture and High-Tech Gründerfonds, with its physical process for disinfecting seeds — an environmentally friendly alternative to treatment with fungicides.

2021 saw continued growth with regard to spin-offs from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft despite restrictions relating to the pandemic. 30 teams founded spin-offs on the basis of Fraunhofer technology and expertise last year — around 15 percent more than in the year before.

The microspeakers for wireless in-ear headphones from Arioso Systems GmbH, a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS, are up to ten times smaller than conventional microspeakers and are made entirely from silicon. Currently at the prototype stage, the energy-efficient MEMS speakers may in future play a role in expanding the range of functions offered by miniaturized headphones – such as instant translations and health monitoring features. This is made possible by an innovative sound transducer principle that dispenses with the membrane, the central element of a conventional speaker.

NexWafe GmbH (NexWafe) today announced the induction of Reliance New Energy Solar Limited (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance) as a strategic lead investor in its EUR 39 million ($45 million) Series C financing round with an investment of EUR 25 million ($29 million) in phase one.

On July 1st, 2021, Ceravis AG and the Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP founded a collective joint venture, the »E-VITA« GmbH. The Fraunhofer spin-off is dedicated to the chemical-free, sustainable treatment of seeds and feedstuffs to free them from pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses.