There's a specific kind of excitement that happens when you watch a technology move from "interesting demo" to "this is changing how the world works." That's where physical AI is right now. The startups that master it now will define the next generation of industrial technology.

That window of opportunity matters more in Europe than it might elsewhere. Global robotics funding hit USD 27.6B in 2025, more than double the year before. European robotics startups raised roughly EUR 1.45B of that, around 15%, a share well below Europe's contribution to global GDP. This is just one stat among many that offer insight into why European startups struggle to scale.

We’re committed to addressing the challenges startups face when making the jump from market entry to commercial scale. This is why we spent the last several months building something with Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA that will change the trajectory of Europe's physical AI scene: Physical AI Growth Lab.

A brand-new acceleration program for Europe's most promising physical AI, robotics, and industrial AI startups. It runs from January to April 2027.

Why UnternehmerTUM Accelerator & Partners

The Physical AI Growth Lab pairs best-in-class startup founders with the expertise, technology, capital access, and enterprise networks of four industry leaders to drive European innovation through entrepreneurship.

UnternehmerTUM Accelerator brings Europe's #1 and largest startup ecosystem: 200+ investors, 170+ mentors, and a track record of launching scalable physical AI companies, including Sereact, RobCo, and sewts.
Microsoft brings Azure's AI and cloud infrastructure along with a global enterprise network.
NVIDIA contributes its full physical AI stack and open models, from training and simulation to edge deployment, plus Inception program benefits.
Infineon supplies the semiconductor stack, power semiconductors, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions that make physical AI systems actionable in the real world.

No single partner can support a startup from prototype to commercial scale on its own. Together, we help founders cover the ground that typically takes them years to piece together on their own.

What Startups Get

Startups that make it into the program get access to:

Up to USD 350,000 in Microsoft Azure credits
Access to NVIDIA's Physical AI SDK’s and open models
NVIDIA’s Inception program for startups
Hands-on technical training and free courses from the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI)
Access to Infineon’s hardware foundation for Physical AI: semiconductor stack, power semiconductors, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions
Consulting from a pool of 170+ deep tech mentors and industry experts
Introductions to enterprise customers at in-person events
A direct line to 200+ investors who understand deep tech companies
A Demo Day in front of VCs ready to help fund the next chapter
Momentum opportunities after the program via Microsoft's 2027 Hackathon, a spot on the Recruit Partner List, a chance to pitch and demo at Infineon’s Startup Night, continued access to NVIDIA's Venture Capital Alliance, and co-marketing opportunities

Why this matters to UnternehmerTUM

By backing homegrown startups with access to capital, infrastructure, and industry expertise, this partnership helps ensure that the next generation of physical AI companies, and the critical technology they build, is developed in Europe. Every startup that scales through this program strengthens the region's industrial base, creates high-skilled jobs, and keeps a strategically vital technology sector rooted in European hands.

Applications Open Now

The Physical AI Growth Lab is accepting applications from startups based in or building for EMEA markets, with a working MVP, and a team of up to 20 people. The application deadline is November 13, 2026.

Apply now