Hexagon select nine start-ups to improve digital reality and sustainability in manufacturing
“Each of these start-ups has demonstrated their capacity to address pressing manufacturing challenges with creativity and determination.”
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has unveiled the nine start-up companies chosen for its third Sixth Sense cohort. Each company selected were able to distinguish itself from the hundreds of unsuccessful applicants and presented groundbreaking solutions which could solve critical manufacturing challenges, with a particular focus on sustainability and digital reality.
Key information:
- Hexagon has announced the nine start-ups chosen to make up the third cohort of its Sixth Sense initiative.
- With a focus on sustainability and digital reality, each start-up was chosen because of its groundbreaking solutions for critical manufacturing challenges.
- Up to three winners will be chosen at the end of the 16-week program and will gain access to Hexagon’s resources.
The nine companies selected span seven countries, and all have unique approaches to some of the most critical manufacturing challenges that companies face today. These challenges include sustainability, eliminating waste, capturing real-time data, automating design, and the incorporation of robots within the production line.
Having been selected to take part in the Sixth Sense program, each company gains access to Hexagon’s market insights, which have been accumulated over decades including its collaborative efforts with “industry-leading technology giants”. These invaluable insights will hopefully accelerate all of the start-ups' commercial success.
“Hexagon's commitment to nurturing innovation and driving sustainable manufacturing practices continues to shine through,” said Milan Kocić, Head of Sixth Sense at Hexagon. “Each of these start-ups has demonstrated their capacity to address pressing manufacturing challenges with creativity and determination. Much like our previous cohorts have addressed critical industry challenges, we believe these innovators will play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future for the manufacturing industry.”
Hexagon launched the Sixth Sense initiative in January 2022, and is designed to nurture start-up companies using Hexagon’s resources as each company enters the manufacturing industry.
The nine start-ups selected for the third cohort are:
- Acerta Analytics – provides analytic solutions leveraging machine learning and AI to turn product data into insights.
- Circularise – offers digital product passports ensuring end-to-end traceability as well as security for data exchange within supply chains.
- Dessia – developed a platform with virtual bots which will assist engineers when designing mechanical systems.
- Flexxbotics – creates a flexible machining environment for high-mix automation-intensive manufacturers.
- Launchpad – automates design, procurement, and manufacturing processes with AI and advanced simulation technologies.
- Rafinex – uses its stochastic AI topology to help ensure safe and lightweight designs.
- RV Magnetics – has developed one of the world’s smallest passive sensors based on MicroWire technology.
- ToffeeAM – specialises in multi-physics generative design software to be used in engineering.
- Zaptic – created a toolkit designed to provide job instructions and collaboration tools for frontline teams.
“For this third cohort, we've been on the hunt for new innovations that enable manufacturing leaders to lead the net-zero transition – especially with sustainable product design – and we're thrilled with the calibre of the start-ups we've found to participate,” said Josh Weiss, President of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence Division. “Sixth Sense is designed to pinpoint emerging opportunities for greater innovation, and we're thrilled to give these companies that are poised for high-growth access to resources and customers that they typically wouldn't have at this stage in their lifecycle.”
Each start-up will embark on a 16-week journey as they collaborate with Hexagon to refine ideas. After this, up to three winners will be selected and will be awarded with access to Hexagon’s resources to hopefully achieve global expansion. These resources may also include funding, worldwide office space, and Hexagon’s suite of products and services. In addition, the winners will be showcased on Hexagon’s Nexus (its digital reality platform for manufacturing) platform, which will provide the companies with access to world-class companies.