October 22, 2026. UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA are launching the Physical AI Growth Lab, a free, equity-free accelerator for Europe’s most innovative founders in the fields of physical AI, robotics, and industrial AI. The program runs from January through April 2027 and combines expertise, infrastructure, access to capital, and business networks to empower founders to grow their businesses.
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UnternehmerTUM Accelerator is driving the program forward and supporting founders based in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa (EMEA) or developing solutions for these regions. Additional requirements include a functional prototype or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), at least one technical co-founder, teams of up to 20 people, and that the startups were founded within the last three years.
The program runs in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Munich. During this time, the 10 to 15 selected startups will gain access to Microsoft’s benefits for startups, including $350,000 in Azure credits, access to NVIDIA SDKs and open models, benefits from the NVIDIA Inception Program for Startups, as well as mentoring from over 170 experts, direct contacts with enterprise customers, and access to a network of over 200 investors. In addition, they will gain access to Infineon’s hardware components for Physical AI—including semiconductors, power electronics, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions—that enable the deployment of intelligent systems in real-world applications.
Physical AI—the convergence of foundation models, simulation, and robotics—brings artificial intelligence (AI) out of the digital world and into machines, factories, and logistics networks. Europe has great potential. By 2026, Europe is expected to hold approximately 22.5% of the global Physical AI market, supported by regulatory clarity provided by the EU AI Act and Germany’s High-Tech Strategy 2025.
Startups that launch now with the right technical foundation and early customers will become market leaders—before the market consolidates around a few platforms.
UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA cover the entire journey from prototype to commercial scaling. With access to capital, infrastructure, and market access, this collaboration ensures that the next generation of Physical AI companies will emerge in EMEA.
“The European Physical AI market is growing rapidly. Now is the right time to support startups by providing access to capital, infrastructure, and technology. Together with Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA, we’re demonstrating how true acceleration works,” says Inga vom Holtz, Director of Startups and Investments at UnternehmerTUM.
“Germany’s great economic opportunity lies in combining artificial intelligence with industrial know-how. With the Physical AI Growth Lab, we’re bringing together startups, technology partners, and established companies so that prototypes can become market-ready solutions. This is an important step toward strengthening Germany’s position as a leading hub for the development and application of Physical AI,” says Agnes Heftberger, Corporate Vice President & CEO of Microsoft Germany & Austria.
“Founders in the EMEA region working on robotics and industrial AI need early access to the right tools while their products are still in development,” says Eran Rosenberg, Head of EMEA Physical AI Startups at NVIDIA. “The Physical AI Growth Lab provides startups in the program with NVIDIA Physical AI SDKs, open models, and the benefits of NVIDIA Inception. This allows them to train, simulate, and deploy their models on a single platform as they scale.”
“The future of robotics is built through collaboration,” says Allan Frederiksen, Technology and Innovation Officer at Infineon. As a leading semiconductor manufacturer, we provide the technological foundation that translates artificial intelligence into real-world movements and actions. With the Physical AI Growth Lab, we provide access to technological expertise, development platforms, and a strong partner network to accelerate the journey from idea to scalable real-world application. Together with startups, industry partners, and investors, we are driving innovation forward. Physical AI offers enormous growth potential, and a dynamic ecosystem is emerging worldwide that is taking autonomous robotic systems to the next level.”
The program runs from January through April 2027 in a hybrid format with in-person events in Munich. Applications are now being accepted. Application deadline: November 13, 2026.
Further information about the program: https://physical-ai.accelerator.unternehmertum.de/
UnternehmerTUM is a unique platform for developing innovations. UnternehmerTUM offers startups a comprehensive service from the initial idea to the initial public offering (IPO). A team of over 500 experienced professionals, including entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors, provides support in building the company, entering the market, and securing financing—including venture capital. For established companies, a team of experienced consultants provides optimal access to the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem. UnternehmerTUM has many years of expertise in developing innovation strategies and in implementing and spinning off technology-driven business ideas. Founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Susanne Klatten, the nonprofit UnternehmerTUM GmbH—with more than 100 high-growth technology startups each year, including Celonis, Proxima Fusion, and Isar Aerospace—is the leading center for startups and innovation in Europe.
Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, founded in 1983 as a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, U.S.A.) in 1983, employs over 3,000 people in Germany across seven locations: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, and Walldorf. Together with our 30,000 partners in Germany, we support businesses with innovative solutions for the intelligent cloud and the Intelligent Edge, ensuring they are successfully positioned for the digital transformation and the AI era. In addition, Microsoft is a global leader in areas such as productivity software, IT security, innovative hardware, and development platforms—including those based on open-source technology. Through our career network LinkedIn, we connect more than 950 million people worldwide, and with Xbox and Game Pass, we enable a cross-platform gaming experience. Microsoft is investing in the expansion of AI infrastructure and cloud capabilities, as well as in the training of skilled professionals in Germany. Together with government, industry, and academia, we participate in a wide range of initiatives and projects to ensure that everyone can benefit from the progress of the digital society.
Infineon Technologies AG is a leading global provider of semiconductor solutions for power systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). With its products and solutions, Infineon is driving decarbonization and digitalization. The company has approximately 57,000 employees worldwide (as of the end of September 2025) and generated revenue of approximately 14.7 billion euros in fiscal year 2025 (ending in September).
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Photo: Infineon
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