Pioneer Motion with us

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StoryTopicsTimelineFAQAbout the Schaeffler Group

The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. We are respected not only as a reliable supplier and business partner, but also as an attractive employer. Around 120,000 employees worldwide are shaping the world of mobility with us every day. The innovative technologies, products, and services that we develop are used, among other things, in the fields of electromobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions, Industry 4.0, digitalization, and renewable energies. Our goal is to make motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable.

The company’s wide range of innovative developments have been made possible by our pioneering spirit, which continues to shape us today. Due to our continually ongoing groundbreaking innovations, we are a firm fixture in the world of motion.

Pioneer Motion: Together. Join us now!

The "AI - from foundation to edge" Challenge is your gateway to accelerate your startup's growth and make a real impact in Motion Technology. Applications will be opening shortly. Register your interest to receive updates and be among the first to apply.

FAQ

A joint effort by

To find out more about the partners, click on their respective company logos.

General Topics

We are looking for innovative ideas and practices, pioneers and adventurous minds within our dedicated innovation challenges.

To register, please select one of the topic groups below. Inside each group, you'll find the respective challenges and an application form for submitting your company information.

Data Acquisition for Foundation Models

Industrial manufacturing and process flows are - once established as series production - often repetitive. While high-volumes are already automated by individual machines, smaller and medium volumes still require a high level of manual effort. Foundation models can offer enormous potential for AI-supported automation in this area, allowing employees to refocus on more complex tasks. To make this possible, digitized training data from real-world processes is essential. However, such data is currently still rare and difficult to capture. Accordingly, we are looking for technical solutions such as wearable sensors, motion capture systems, or similar technologies that can be used to digitally capture human movements, gestures, and actions as training data.

Check Out Challenges

Click here to find out more about this topic and apply for the challenges.

AI on the Edge: Powering Tomorrow‘s Smart Devices

As Schaeffler continues to digitize its product portfolio, the demand for efficient AI processing directly at the edge is rapidly increasing. Traditional AI models consume too much power and are not scalable for battery-powered or resource-constrained smart products. Existing neuromorphic solutions and frameworks are often tailored to specific hardware and lack the flexibility needed for broad industrial applications.

Check Out Challenges

Click here to find out more about this topic and apply for the challenges.

For whom?

Together with Schaeffler we are looking for the best entrepreneurs and the most creative minds globally to shape the future together.

Startups

From Pre-Seed (MVP Stage) to Scale-Ups: startup teams working on the development of novel hardware and software solutions in all areas.

Academia & Universities

R&D and University teams working on innovative applications in both hardware and software.

SMEs & Collaborators

Established SMEs that can contribute to the Schaeffler business units with existing or emerging technologies, hardware, and software.

Startups

From Pre-Seed (MVP Stage) to Scale-Ups: startup teams working on the development of novel hardware and software solutions in all areas.

Academia & Universities

R&D and University teams working on innovative applications in both hardware and software.

SMEs & Collaborators

Established SMEs that can contribute to the Schaeffler business units with existing or emerging technologies, hardware, and software.

What‘s in it for you?

We are offering the opportunity to become part of a global network, access to industry leading mentors, the perfect space to craft your ideas and beyond.

  • Proof-of-Concept Opportunities

    Initiate paid PoCs with the Schaeffler as leading motion technology company.

  • Opportunity of Project Funding

    Get an opportunity to receive strategic funding for the joint development with the Schaeffler R&D teams.

  • Access to R&D Resources

    Access Strategic partnering teams of Schaeffler for collaboration and networking.

Timeline

For a more detailed overview of our challenge schedule, you can find our timeline below.

Further questions?

Learn more about the program and frequently asked questions here.

QUESTION 1

Who can apply?

The Schaeffler "AI - from foundation to edge" Challenge is open to startups, companies, and research groups (including university teams and academia) worldwide. Startups and companies must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or higher. Research groups must have a TRL of 3 or higher to be eligible.

QUESTION 2

How can I apply?

To participate, please visit our topics overview and select the topic most relevant to your solution. From there, align your proposal with one of the outlined challenges and submit your company details via the application form.

All eligible applications will be reviewed and shared with the relevant Schaeffler business units. The respective decision-makers will evaluate the submissions and determine next steps. Following this process, you will be informed about the outcome and potential collaboration opportunities.

QUESTION 3

Can I apply with multiple solutions?

Yes. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are welcome to submit multiple applications for different topics.

QUESTION 4

What is the deadline for applications?

The application window closes on October 31, 2025 at 23:59 UTC.

QUESTION 5

Who will evaluate the applications?

Applications will be reviewed by a group of experts of various Schaeffler business units. This group includes technical experts, domain specialists, and investment professionals.

QUESTION 6

Are finalists guaranteed investment by Schaeffler?

No. Finalists are not guaranteed investment or direct financial support from Schaeffler or Plug and Play. However, Schaeffler has allocated a budget to support proof of concept (PoC) projects with selected finalists.

QUESTION 7

What type of investment or support may be provided?

Depending on alignment with Schaeffler’s R&D strategy, support may include:

  • Joint research collaborations
  • PoC funding
  • Scale-up support
More questions? Reach out to us.

Behind the scenes

Learn more about the industry leaders who have joined forces to support and empower the next generation of mobility startups.

The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services in the mobility ecosystem by means of eight product families: From bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. Schaeffler is with around 120,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, one of the world’s largest family-owned companies and one of Germany’s most innovative companies.

official website of Schaeffler Group

STARTUP AUTOBAHN is an open innovation platform that provides an interface between innovative tech companies and industry-leading corporations. The basis of the program is the partnership that develops between startups and the corporate business units. The two entities hold on equal footing from the get-go: together they evaluate the potential for a joint venture, move forward to pilot the technology, and work to achieve the ultimate goal - a successful production-ready implementation. Designed with the intention to exceed startup acceleration, STARTUP AUTOBAHN moderates a community for collaboration with a focus on implementable results.

Mercedes-Benz AG, Plug and Play Tech Center, the University of Stuttgart, and ARENA2036 founded STARTUP AUTOBAHN in 2016 as a platform with a global reach. Since then, the partnership has grown exponentially to 35 partners.

official website of STARTUP AUTOBAHHN powered by Plug and Play

Reach out to us

For more information about the "AI - from foundation to edge" Challenge by the Schaeffler Group and STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play reach out to us on social media or via E-mail.

On Social Media

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Via Email

If you have any further questions that haven’t been answered by our FAQ, don’t hesitate to reach out to our project contact.

r.mayer@pnptc.com

STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play

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