Innovative technology enables ultra-light and dynamic actuators for industrial applications in robotics, aerospace and automotive industry

The Munich-based tech start-up MetisMotion has received more than one million Euro in fresh capital in its first financing round. The investors are High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), BORN2GROW Seedfonds – a subsidiary of ZFHN Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn – and SIEMENS Technology Accelerator (STA). MetisMotion’s core technology includes highly dynamic and lightweight, force optimized actuators for robotics, aviation, vehicle and safety applications. The proceeds from the first round of investments will be used to finance the establishment of the company until the market launch of the first series products.

MetisMotion’s three-member founding team has developed a lightweight and highly dynamic actuator (comparable to a servomotor) that offers so far unknown technical possibilities. “We have achieved a reaction time that is 30 times faster than an airbag. Even the fastest electromagnetic solutions are undercut by a factor of 10. This was previously considered unimaginable,” explains Patrick Fröse, one of MetisMotion’s three managing directors. At the same time, the actuators are extremely space-saving and lightweight.This makes them suitable for many technical applications where weight savings play a major role or where space is limited.

Fast or powerful like a human muscle

Another special feature is the exact control of the actuators. “We like to compare our technology with the human muscle. Our actuators allow a quick and easy movement as well as a forceful and concise movement moving heavy weights”, explains Fröse further. In addition, the sensory capabilities of the actuator system allow smart features that are particularly advantageous for applications in Industry 4.0. Conventional electric motors and hydraulic systems do not offer these possibilities yet.

“We see great market opportunities in the near future”

Thomas R. Villinger, Managing Director of ZFHN Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn: “In the immediate surroundings of our home town of Heilbronn there is a high density of companies that can benefit from the technology of MetisMotion. Initial discussions have already revealed a great deal of interest. We see great market opportunities for MetisMotion in the near future – nationally and internationally”.

“MetisMotion technology makes new solutions possible”

Jens Baumgärtner, Investment Manager of High-Tech Gründerfonds: “The innovative technology of MetisMotion convinced us immediately. Thanks to the novel actuators, new technical solutions that were previously unimaginable become possible in high-growth industries. Plus, the cooperation with the founding team is very smooth”.

“A founding team with Siemens technology on the road to success”

Dr. Rudolf Freytag, CEO of Siemens Technology Accelerator GmbH: “We see great potential for the success of this technology developed at Siemens and have therefore supported the startup of MetisMotion from the beginning, because it offers the best conditions to help this technology achieve a breakthrough in a large number of applications. This gives Siemens the opportunity to benefit from MetisMotion’s success as an investor and perhaps later as a customer as well.”

About Metis Motion
MetisMotion is a Munich based tech start-up, founded in 2018. Its core competence covers ultra-dynamic and space/ weight saving linear force actuators. The MetisMotion technology platform combines decades of experience in actuator development for challenging automotive and industrial applications. It is further addressing diverse use-cases, spanning from aviation to robotics.

Compared to conventional linear actuators, MetisMotion actuators are up to 80% smaller and lighter and respond up to 10x faster. In addition, they bring inherent sensing capabilities, which would not be readily available in electromagnetic, hydraulic or pneumatic solutions. This allows MetisMotion solutions to drive the electrification of hydraulics for the Industry 4.0 revolution.

MetisMotion is a spin-off from SIEMENS AG, facilitated by the SIEMENS Technology Accelerator GmbH. Founders of MetisMotion are Dr. Wolfgang Zoels, Dr. Georg Bachmaier and Patrick Froese

Contact
Patrick Froese
T.: +49 176 73 24 13 43
info@metismotion.com
www.metismotion.com

About ZFHN – Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn
Since it was founded in 2005, ZFHN Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn has been one of the largest venture capital funds in Germany. It assists primarily young, innovative technology firms that are established in the Heilbronn region or are ready to settle there in the short to medium term. Zukunftsfonds is privately financed and holds hundreds of millions of euros in owner’s equity. It supports companies with capital, know-how and contacts in the Heilbronn economic region. Its objective is the continued growth of Heilbronn as a successful technology site. This will also include the setup and expansion of clusters (medtech, biotech, cleantech) on a local level.

Since its foundation in 2013, Heilbronn-based BORN2GROW GmbH & Co. KG has supported innovative tech companies in the seed-funding and start-up phase. The seed fund assists young companies by guiding them from proof-of-concept stage to market launch. This early-stage financing enables rapidly growing tech-oriented start-up companies to develop their ideas and concepts. BORN2GROW, a subsidiary of ZFHN Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn, works together with other venture capital funds and business angels, making quick and transparent financing decisions.

Contact
Alexander Görbing
T.: +49 160 55 60 471
pr@zf-hn.de
www.zf-hn.de

About Siemens Technology Accelerator
Siemens Technology Accelerator GmbH is a subsidiary of Siemens AG and has successfully been commercializing innovative Siemens technologies in applications outside the strategic focus of the Siemens business units for more than 15 years. This is done either by founding start-up companies financed by venture capital or by selling or licensing them to established companies.
www.sta.siemens.com

Contact
Florian Martini
Press spokesman Siemens AG
E-Mail: florian.martini@siemens.com
Phone: +49 (89) 636-33446

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With EUR 892.5 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge 500 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in a range of sectors, including software, hardware and life sciences / chemistry.

This group also includes a number of success stories, such as Mister Spex, Rigontec, 6Wunderkinder, Next Kraftwerke and Cumulocity, as well as Juniqe, an online shop for art enthusiasts. To date, external investors have injected over EUR 1.9 billion into the HTGF portfolio via about 1,400 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests by now 100 companies. Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW Banking Group, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V., as well as the companies ALTANA, BASF, BAYER, B.Braun, Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Bosch, BÜFA, CEWE, Deutsche Post DHL, Dräger, Drillisch AG, EVONIK, EWE AG, Haniel, Hettich, Knauf, Körber, LANXESS, media + more venture Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, PHOENIX CONTACT, Postbank, QIAGEN, RWE Generation SE, SAP, Schufa, Schwarz Gruppe, STIHL, Thüga, Vector Informatik, WACKER and Wilh. Werhahn KG.

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Jens Baumgärtner
Schlegelstraße 2
53113 Bonn
T: +49 228 82300 138
j.baumgaertner@htgf.de
www.htgf.de