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Looks like the deep tech startups/scaleups from the EU countries are getting as inventive as they could be in Europe’s leading international pitching competition – the EIT Digital Challenge 2018.
A non-invasive sensor that detects events in rooms without the use of cameras, a technology that converts text manuals into interactive Augmented Reality trainings and a voice recognition software that recognizes 50 different emotions to enable empathic human-machine interaction – these are just three out of 25 outstanding technologies that are nominated for the EIT Digital Challenge final.
For those who are not aware, the EIT Digital Challenge aims to identify the best digital deep tech innovations – complex disruptive solutions that are built around unique and differentiated scientific or technological advances and fuel the digital transformation.
The current 25 finalists come from 11 different European countries and were selected out of 200 applications. With an average team size of 38 people, an average revenue of €1.2M in 2017 and average funding of €4.2M, the companies are so-called scaleups – startups in the growth stage. Two startups from the Netherlands have also made it to the list in the Digital finance and Digital well-being category. These are Dimebox and Active Cues.
The Dutch payment tech startup Dimebox offers payment solutions through one platform and a single API. They are the only provider of a full-stack acquiring solution that is completely white-label and flexible enough to embrace new payment methods without any hassle.
On the other hand, Active Cues has developed games for people with a cognitive disability, such as people with learning difficulties, dementia or autism-spectrum disorder. The games are developed using the co-design method: together with the target group.
Meanwhile, we also take a look at all the 25 shining finalists in the 5 categories at the EIT Digital Challenge 2018:
Digital Industry
Cargonexx (DE) – Intelligent transport network for long-distance truck transports
Detego (AT) – Improving retailers’ availability of goods online and in-store
Enerbrain (IT) – Improving energy consumption in buildings without modifying existing systems
Nyris (DE) – Recognizing products and objects inside images and videos
Viscopic (DE) – Converting text manuals into interactive AR training
Digital Cities
AppyParking (UK) – Connected car platform to manage parkings
Blickfeld (DE) – LiDAR technology, object detection, and mapping software for autonomous driving
BYHOURS (ES) – Online booking platform and app for microstays at hotels
Toposens (DE) – 3D sensor based on ultrasound for autonomous vehicles close range perception
UnderstandAI (DE) – High-quality training and validation data for autonomous driving models
Digital Wellbeing
ActiveCues (NL) – Stimulating physical and mental activity for people with cognitive challenges
audEERING (DE) – Intelligent audio analysis for speech, music, and sound that recognizes emotions
MedicusAI (AT) – The AI-based platform that converts health data into interactive experiences
Minut (SE) – A non-invasive sensor that detects events in rooms without the use of cameras
Monsenso (DK) – Mobile App for prevention, early intervention, and treatment of mental disorders
Digital Finance
Dimebox (NL) – White label online payment platform covering the entire payment value chain
Fino Digital (DE) – Intelligent bank account analysis software and account switching service
IDNow (DE) – Video identification and e-signing solution for identity verification and onboarding
Kasko (UK) – An InsurTech platform that allows insurers to design and run digital insurance products
Leveris (IR) – Core banking platform accelerating the transformation of financial services
Digital Infrastructure
Baffin Bay Networks (SE) – Subscription based cyber security service in the cloud
Baqend (DE) – Cloud service using caching algorithms to minimize loading times of websites
Easy Broadcast (FR) – Hybrid streaming technology for improving video quality
Gridscale (DE) – Cloud technology manufacturer and provider of platform-as-a-service (PaaS)
Valossa (FI) – Audiovisual recognition platform for automated content discovery
As informed in the company press release, the winners will be chosen in a final event in Brussels in October 2018, where they will compete for prizes worth €750,000. The prize package includes a full year support by the EIT Digital Accelerator in order to grow their businesses in Europe and beyond for the two best companies in each category, plus a cash prize of €50,000 for the first prize winners per category.
So, whom do you think will win the top-notch competition. Do share your opinions in the comments section below and stay tuned to Silicon Canals for all the latest updates on the EIT Digital Challenge 2018.
For more information, visit the official website of EIT Digital Accelerator.
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