Jena, April 22, 2026. At this year’s pitch of the “Digital Innovation Hub Photonics” (DIHP) in Jena, six founder teams prevailed with their high-tech ideas. The winners will now receive special research budgets to bring their technological concepts to market maturity.
- Event: Awarding of high-tech startups at the DIHP pitch
- Location: Beutenberg-Campus, Jena
- Participants: Eleven teams from all over Germany
- Award: Research budgets for six winning teams
- Subject areas: Precise sensor technology, photonic AI, quantum-secure communication
From medical lasers to space AI
A total of eleven teams from across the country presented their concepts to a jury of experts at the Beutenberg-Campus. Among the six awarded startups are teams with strong local ties. The Jena-based startup Active Medical Xcellence GmbH impressed with the development of innovative medical laser systems specifically tailored for urological applications.
Another winner is the team behind OrbitalPIC, which operates across locations in London and Jena. Their focus is on the construction of photonic computing units designed to enable the use of Artificial Intelligence directly in space. The research budgets provided are intended to pave the way for the award-winning teams from research to concrete commercial application.
Background: Beutenberg Innovation Hub
The Beutenberg-Campus in the south of Jena is considered one of the most important centers for optics, photonics, and life sciences in Europe. Following the historically grown motto “Life Science meets Physics,” numerous institutes of the Max-Planck- and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, facilities of the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, and technology-oriented companies bundle their research work here. The concentrated expertise on the campus regularly attracts startups and spin-offs that benefit from the short distances between basic research and industry.
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Six founder teams honored at the Photonics Pitch
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.