Jun 02, 2025

Remarkable success: TUD|transCampus IITM presents deeptech innovations at GITEX Europe 2025 in Berlin

TU Dresden auf der GITEX Europe 2025 — Representatives of TU Dresden (TUD|excite and International Office) and IIT Madras present start-ups of the joint transCampus initiative at GITEX Europe 2025 in Berlin

Berlin, May 22, 2025 - GITEX Europe – TUD | transCampus IITM, the Indo-German academic and innovation partnership between TU Dresden and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), made a remarkable impact at GITEX Europe 2025.

Two Letters of Intent (LoIs) were signed by participating startups - Flexora, a TU Dresden-incubated venture, and TuTr Hyperloop, incubated at IIT Madras. The event also featured a panel discussion as part of the 10x Northstar Global platform, highlighting the transCampus initiative led by TUD|excite under Prof. Pinkwart and IITM Global led by Mr. Madhav Narayan.

As Europe’s premier technology exhibition, GITEX Europe 2025 welcomed thousands of innovators and entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, with over 1,400 exhibitors, 750 startups, 600 investors, and 500 speakers. The TUD | transCampus IITM booth—located opposite the European Innovation Council—stood out as a beacon of international collaboration in technology transfer. It was the only German university booth showcasing startups and notably the only Indo-German booth jointly representing two leading universities at the GITEX, emphasizing deep engagement in frontier technology development.

Key Milestones at GITEX

Signing of a letter of intent (LoI) between the Dresden start-up Flexora and the Indian IITM

Before the panel discussion on transforming research into business highliting transCampus partnership, Flexora signed an LoI with IIT Madras to further incubate their sensor-based thin-film data acquisition technology in India. This move marks a significant step toward product testing and deployment across diverse industrial sectors from a German technology for Indian market.

Signing of a letter of intent (LoI) between the Indian start-up TuTr Hyperloop and thyssenkrupp Transrapid GmbH

Likewise, TuTr Hyperloop, working on next-generation hyperloop transportation systems, signed an LoI with Thyssenkrupp GmbH, symbolizing a pivotal technology transfer from Germany to India. This milestone builds on the Indo-German startup initiative launched in August 2024 and reinforced through participation in Startup Mahakumbh, one of India's largest startup events. The joint participation at GITEX further underscores the depth of this commitment, delivering clear outcomes and tangible collaborations.

A Platform for Global Deeptech

Presentation of a start-up of the transCampus cooperation between TUD and IIT at GITEX Europe 2025 in Berlin

The joint presence at GITEX marked a new milestone in transCampus's mission to enable cross-border research, innovation transfer, and deeptech entrepreneurship. The booth featured a curated portfolio of early- and growth-stage startups nurtured within the research ecosystems of TU Dresden and IIT Madras, supported by IITM Global.

These included:

TuTr Hyperloop – Developing next-generation high-speed transportation using hyperloop technology.
Agnikul Cosmos – Building modular, on-demand launch vehicles for small satellites.
Solinas Integrity – Innovating in water and sanitation infrastructure with robotic inspection and AI-driven analytics.
Wankel Energy – Advancing compact, rotary engine technology for clean and efficient energy solutions.
Detect Technologies – Leveraging AI for industrial safety and predictive maintenance through intelligent monitoring systems.
Flexora – Creating ultra-thin, flexible sensors for industrial data acquisition and real-time monitoring.
Pruuve – Specializing in UV dosimetry for industrial applications.
Sonojet – Pioneering acoustic jet printing of aerosols for advanced manufacturing and precision engineering.
ExciteLab GmbH – Translating academic research into deeptech ventures with a focus on commercialization and global scalability.

These startups are pioneering innovations in strategic sectors such as space tech, climate tech, and AI-driven automation, aligning with key global priorities. Many had also participated in the inaugural Indo-German Deeptech Exchange in Dresden in 2024, which laid the groundwork for deeper cross-border collaboration.

Embassy of India Roundtable

On May 21, a special roundtable hosted by the Embassy of India in Berlin brought together startups from TU Dresden and IIT Madras to deepen Indo-German collaboration. The session was particularly significant as it coincided with the visit of Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, marking a major moment in bilateral engagement.

Round Table at the Indian Embassy in Berlin — Round Table in der Indischen Botschaft in Berlin

Representing the Indian Embassy, Dr. Dinesh Antil, First Secretary (Economy & Commerce), and Dr. Banerjee, Science and Technology Counsellor, welcomed participants. Prof. Pinkwart led the TUD|excite delegation, while Mr. Madhav Narayan represented the Indian side, joined by startup founders from both institutions. Dr. Rainer Seider, Head of Division for International Cooperation at the Governing Mayor of Berlin's Senate Chancellery, addressed the gathering alongside other startup ecosystem leaders. The event reinforced the role of science diplomacy and the strategic importance of the transCampus initiative in fostering international technology transfer.

Strengthening Indo-German Tech Bridges

“Today's GITEX Europe collaboration shows how transCampus TUD, a TUD tool for strategic partnerships, is not only about academic collaboration, but also a dynmaic platform to codevelop technologies that solve global challenges.“, said Prof. Staudinger, Rector of TU Dresden.

Prof. Andreas Pinkwart, Director of TUD|excite, at the GITEX Europe 2025 in Berlin

“Through TUD|excite and our Indian partners at IITM Global, we are nurturing a transnational innovation pipeline that connects lab breakthroughs to real-world impact”, added Prof. Pinkwart, Director of TUD|excite.

“The shared booth demonstrates how academic R&D can evolve into global entrepreneurship. Deeptech startups need access to international markets and expertise—this partnership delivers exactly that”, noted Mr. Madhav Narayan, CEO of IITM Global.

With the success of this year’s showcase, the partners are now planning future initiatives including bilateral investor showcases, co-innovation labs, and a dedicated Indo-German deeptech accelerator track, leveraging the robust infrastructure and expertise of TUD|excite and IITM Global.

As the transCampus platform continues to evolve, TUD | transCampus IITM is fast emerging as a benchmark for international academic-industry collaboration—not only between Germany and India but also as a model for global deeptech development.

About TUD | transCampus IITM:
TUD | transCampus IITM is a strategic partnership between Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), established to promote joint research, technology transfer, and academic exchange. Its operational arms, TUD|excite and IITM Global, are dedicated to commercializing collaborative research and building strong startup ecosystems in both countries.