UnternehmerTUM, Microsoft, Infineon Technologies, and NVIDIA launch Physical AI Growth Lab

Munich, October 22, 2026. UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA today launched the Physical AI Growth Lab, an equity-free accelerator for Europe's most promising physical AI, robotics, and industrial AI startups. Running from January to April 2027, the program combines expertise, infrastructure, capital access, and enterprise networks to help founders scale.

Program Made for Startups to Scale

The program is led by UnternehmerTUM Accelerator and supports startups that are based in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) or building for EMEA, have a working prototype or minimum viable product (MVP), bring at least one technical co-founder, run teams of up to 20 people, and were founded within the last three years.

The program runs in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Munich. During this time, the 10–15 selected startups get access to Microsoft for Startups benefits including USD 350.000 in Azure Credits, access to the NVIDIA SDKs and open models, benefits from the NVIDIA Inception program for startups, and access to Infineon’s hardware foundation for physical AI. This includes its semiconductor stack, power semiconductors, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions that make physical AI systems actionable in the real world. Startups also access mentoring from 170+ deep tech experts, direct introductions to enterprise customers, and connections to a network of 200+ investors.

Physical AI: From Simulation to Reality to Europe's Market Leaders

Physical AI — the convergence of foundation models, simulation, and robotics — moves artificial intelligence from the digital world into machines, factories, and logistics networks.

Europe has great potential. In 2026 Europe will hold approximately 22.5% of the global physical AI market in 2026, supported by regulatory clarity under the EU AI Act and Germany's High-Tech Strategy 2025. Startups that build now, backed by the right technical foundation and early enterprise customers, have the opportunity to become category leaders before the market consolidates around dominant platforms.

Four Partners, One Goal: Accelerating Startup Success
UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA cover the entire path from prototype to commercial scale. By backing startups with access to capital, infrastructure, and industry experts, this partnership ensures that the next generation of physical AI companies is developed in EMEA.

• UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, ranked Europe’s leading startup hub for the third consecutive year, brings 170+ mentors, 200+ investors, and a track record of launching scalable companies like Sereact, RobCo and Sewts. Startups coming out of UnternehmerTUM Accelerator have raised almost 4 Billion EUR in funding.
• Microsoft provides Azure's AI and cloud infrastructure along with a global enterprise network.
• NVIDIA deploys its full physical AI stack and open models, from training and simulation to edge deployment, plus Inception Program benefits.
• Infineon supplies the semiconductor stack, power semiconductors, microcontrollers, sensors, and connectivity solutions that make physical AI systems actionable in the real world.

"The European physical AI market is growing rapidly, and the moment is now to support startups with access to capital, infrastructure, and technology. With Microsoft, Infineon, and NVIDIA, we're showing how real acceleration works," says Inga vom Holtz, Director Startups and Investments, UnternehmerTUM.

Applications Open Now
The program runs from January to April 2027 in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Munich. Applications open now. Deadline: November 13, 2026.

More information about the program: https://physical-ai.accelerator.unternehmertum.de