Founding, innovation and transfer: the winners of the Saxon Innovation Conference 2023

Over 120 start-up concepts and transfer projects were submitted this year. The nominated researchers and companies were not the only ones eagerly awaiting the award ceremony in the evening.

Last year, we were delighted with the Fusion Bionic team, which took second place with its innovative business model. We have been supporting the Dresden-based company, which improves technical surfaces with functional microstructures inspired by nature, for several years now. The technology researched by the Fraunhofer IWS and TU Dresden was spun off in April 2021: Fusion Bionic is an excellent example of a successful transfer from science to industry.

Back to this year’s innovation conference. During the day, there was time to exchange experiences with the diverse futureSAX ecosystem on the topics of transfer, founding, financing, growth and innovation. The keynote speech by Tijen Onaran and the diverse presentations and discussions with representatives from politics, science and business provided impetus. A thousand guests accepted the invitation to the Dresden trade fair centre – a sign of the strong network of companies, capital providers and transfer players that Marina Heimann’s team has brought together to strengthen innovation in Saxony.

In the evening, the time had come: the winners of the Saxon start-up, innovation and transfer awards, selected by the diverse jury, were honoured.
Once again, PowerON was a company that we have already had the honour of supporting:
CEO and co-founder Markus Henke was honoured to accept first place in the Founder’s Prize on behalf of the robotics start-up. Congratulations!

The winners of the Saxon Founder, Transfer and Innovation Awards 2023

Founder Award

1st place: PowerON – Smart Elastic

Among other things, the German-New Zealand start-up PowerON is developing flexible sensors that enable robots to feel and identify objects. This opens up completely new possibilities for the use of tech helpers, be it in physiotherapy, the development of biomimetic robots and all industries that can benefit from the use of intelligent robots to support employees or automate heavy and repetitive tasks.

2nd place: CREDOXYS

The fifteen-strong interdisciplinary team at CRECOXYS has set itself the goal of taking organic electronics to a new level. The spin-off from the chair of Prof Dr Karl Leo, TU Dresden, develops materials that make OLED displays, sensors and solar films more powerful and give them a longer service life.

3rd place: DIVE imaging systems

The Dresden-based company DIVE imaging systems has set itself the goal of revolutionising industrial inspection. By using hyperspectral imaging systems and AI-based algorithms, surface and layer systems such as wafers can be inspected faster, more accurately and more comprehensively.

3rd place: TRIMT

TRIMT’s mission is to improve the lifespan and quality of life of cancer patients. Using bio- and radionuclide technology, the company from Radeberg near Dresden develops innovative clinical programmes for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

futureSAX – Audience Award

This year’s Audience Award, supported by Novaled, went to Nils Steiger, Andreas Henning, Daniel Quis and Stephan Meyer-Götz, who have been running the Vegan Butcher’s in Dresden’s Neustadt district since January 2023 and now run a successful online shop with vegan roasts, sausages, soups, steaks and cheese in various flavours.

Transfer Award

1st place: Dr. Johannes Notni

Dr Johannes Notni from the Institute of Pathology at the Technical University of Munich was nominated by TRIMIT for the transfer project Translation & clinical application of non-αvβ3 integrin-targeted radiopharmaceuticals for the transfer prize and was awarded first prize. His research is revolutionising the early detection and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

2nd place: Dr. Richard Gloaguen

With his research, Dr Richard Gloaguen from the Helmholtz Institute for Resource Technology Freiberg enables the application of AI-supported imaging & mapping methods for sustainable and efficient raw material exploration. TheiaX uses innovative digital mapping methods for the environmentally friendly localisation of high-tech metals.

3rd place: Holger Kunze

Holger Kunze from the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU was nominated for the transfer prize from Original Füchtner – Werkstatt alter Volkskunst aus Seiffen. The transfer project combines active materials with traditional Erzgebirge handicrafts. The result was a completely new product: the wooden smoking rocket.

Special award for technology mediators: Christian Christesen

Christian Christesen, Managing Director of TheiaX and Innovation Manager at the Helmholtz Institute, received the special prize for technology mediators.

Innovation Award

1st place: NOVUM engineering

First place in the Innovation category went to the NOVUM engineering team from Dresden. With the help of patented technology and AI-based processes, the company can provide reliable information about the condition, capacity and service life of batteries. The process can be used, for example, to increase the efficiency of large storage systems or enable optimised fast charging processes for small electrical appliances. Used batteries can be given a second or third life cycle thanks to diagnostics.

2nd place: anvajo

The Dresden-based company anvajo develops solutions for laboratory diagnostics that are used in human and veterinary medicine, environmental analysis and research. The company not only develops precise measuring devices and innovative sample carriers, but also gives researchers direct access to the raw data collected thanks to its in-house software solutions.

3rd place: eccenca

The Leipzig-based company eccena supports companies in networking their business areas, thereby enabling improved collaboration, improving access to and control over data and setting the course for successful automation.

3rd place: MSG Lithoglas

The Dresden-based company MSG Lithoglas develops components made of glass, silicon or other inorganic materials based on low-temperature glass coating technology for use in the consumer goods, medical, automotive and defence sectors.

Special award of the Saxon Chambers of Crafts:
Werner Chr. Schmidt – Mundstück- & Metallblasinstrumentenbau

The special prize of the Saxon Chambers of Crafts was awarded to Werner Chr. Schmidt – Mundstück- & Metallblasinstrumentenbau. The master manufactory for mouthpieces and metal wind instruments combines craftsmanship with scientific knowledge in instrument making and has developed the world’s first completely lead- and nickel-free trumpet. Thanks to the copper and bronze materials used, it is also safe for allergy sufferers.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the award winners!
The jury’s selection of award winners reflects some of Saxony’s areas of expertise. These include companies from the semiconductor industry, robotics, IT/AI, medical technology and biotechnology. But the combination of traditional craftsmanship and research also provides a basis for successful new product developments. The participants included numerous other researchers and companies that are developing innovative technologies or have already brought them to market maturity. Examples include ConnCons, deepXscan and the developments by researchers at TU Freiberg on geopolymer building materials and 3D printing with organic materials.