At the Demo Day of our RWTH Incubation Program, the first round of startups with roots in RWTH Aachen Unviersity were presented with the RWTH Spin-off Award. As the only official award for outstanding spin-offs from the university, the Spin-off Award is a quality label for the winning teams, allowing them to promote their business with reference to its scientific origins in RWTH Aachen University. The label has supported past winners in gaining credibility among investors and attracting new customers. At the same time, the successful teams serve as role models for future entrepreneurs and ambassadors for the technology and innovation location Aachen.
The first set of winners of the Spin-off Award 2026 represent the wide range of excellent research disciplines at RWTH Aachen University. We are proud to have such a strong and diverse field of startups represent the RWTH startup ecosystem far beyond its borders. Congratulations to the winners and all the best for your future endeavors!
aiXopt: Unlocking industrial performance through adaptive parameter optimization aiXopt leverages a unique “small data” AI approach to automate and optimize parameter settings in highly automated industrial machinery. By integrating expert knowledge with self-generated data and adaptable machine models, the solution delivers rapid improvements in productivity, efficiency, and flexibility across sectors—without the need for large, historic datasets. aiXopt decisively addresses the skills shortage and competitive pressure in manufacturing by enabling reliable, real-time process optimization.
Athenyx Robotics: Enabling scalable, intelligent robotics for industry Athenyx Robotics delivers a modular, AI-powered platform that streamlines the development and deployment of advanced robotic systems—including humanoid robots—across industrial environments. The platform unites simulation, perception, and learning technologies to transfer robotic skills efficiently from virtual to real-world applications, allowing for continual improvement and cross-deployment. This scalable solution empowers manufacturers to overcome skilled labor shortages with robust, learning-driven automation.
brixl: Empowering the construction industry with smart tender analytics brixl introduces an AI-driven platform that automates the aggregation, analysis, and evaluation of public construction tenders. By transforming complex procurement documents into actionable insights and market intelligence, brixl enables construction firms to make evidence-based bid decisions, boost win rates, and minimize manual effort. The solution sets a new standard for transparency and efficiency in one of Europe’s largest yet least digitalized sectors.
Determion: Bringing safety, transparency and automation to mission-critical software systems Determion develops open-source software foundations for safety-critical applications, delivering deterministic communication and execution stacks that are transparent, verifiable, and future-proof. Building on deep research in cyber-physical and automotive systems, Determion’s platform integrates architecture, code, and safety artifacts to enable certifiable, AI-assisted development in demanding domains such as mobility, robotics, and medtech.
H2ALL: Accelerating green energy systems with intuitive hydrogen project design tools H2ALL offers a web-based engineering suite for planning, simulating, and optimizing green hydrogen value chains, combining scientific modeling depth with user-centric design. The platform supports engineers, consultants, and project developers in rapidly designing complex renewable systems—with features for component modeling, scenario comparison, and collaborative workflows—empowering faster, better-informed investment in hydrogen infrastructure.
Senlytics: Advancing predictive maintenance for wind turbines through acoustic intelligence Senlytics pioneers condition monitoring for wind turbine drivetrains, utilizing acoustic emission sensors and AI-based analytics to detect early signs of bearing wear and damage. The robust, scalable system delivers actionable health indicators, enabling predictive maintenance and minimizing unplanned downtimes. By bringing academic innovation to industrial reliability, Senlytics supports the renewable energy transition with smarter asset management.
The application phase for the second round of the Spin-off Award 2026 will start in late summer/early fall.
