Markus Bohl, Managing Director of Intel Ignite Europe, spoke to EE Times Europe on the future of computing, and the sixth cohort of the accelerator program for early-stage deep-tech startups.
After 10 out of 300 applicants were chosen, Intel Ignite’s Munich-based program began with its 12 weeks of mentoring, providing personalized support, accelerating R&D, and scaling startups up toward commercialization. Largely focused on AI and machine learning, the startups also include specialists in cover fusion power, multispectral X-ray cameras, chip-scale photonics, quantum computing and cloud computing, and have raised an average of €3.9 million. While confident in all 10 if they “play it right”, Markus noted that “Proxima Fusion and Quantum Diamonds are going to change the whole industry, if they succeed”.
Through weekly “Founders Circles” where startups interact with experienced founders and entrepreneurs, Intel Ignite functions as a Co-Founder as a Service – working through the young companies’ risks and opportunities alongside them. Markus explains that the open innovation program “… Helps teams craft their Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) on an individual basis and we encourage them to aim high.”
Despite the recent slowdown in venture capital funding overall, he noted that this is a good time to launch a startup, and that, in any case, many of the best startups have been historically forged in times of crisis, encouraging precise planning and good use of resources. Markus confidently asserts, “I would recommend everybody try.”
Read more about Intel Ignite, and the future of computing in the full article.
