When Lower Bavaria’s innovative spirit meets Silicon Valley’s radical growth mindset, it creates value that can transform the region for the long term. After an intensive ten-month project phase and a trip to California, the renowned “Silicon Valley Program” of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) celebrated its big homecoming event on May 7 on Campus Oberschneiding. Nine startup teams presented to investors, industry experts, entrepreneurs and researchers, explaining how they had achieved market readiness over the past few months. 

From the AI Revolution to the Smart Food Concept 

Among the graduates are pioneers such as Markus Klett, who has developed a “digital brain” for artificial intelligence with his startup Cyrock. His technology makes it possible to process massive amounts of data with more than a thousand terabytes in real time – an innovation that has already attracted the interest of global players such as Dell Technologies and is on the verge of securing an initial round of funding worth 3 million euros. 

The program also places an emphasis on mobility. The participant Tomislav Lang is leveraging the program’s network through his FLYVINI platform to improve connectivity in the Straubing region in collaboration with his partner, Straubing-Wallmühle Airport. For him, engaging with innovative entrepreneurs was crucial for addressing critical questions and refining his own business model. His success proves him right: The initial doubts of potential customers are already turning into actual bookings and rising passenger numbers. 

Odette Lamkhizni demonstrated with NEW AGE OF FOOD that innovation is also possible in the food sector. She developed AI-powered food vending machines that offer high-quality, sustainably heated meals around the clock. For her, the program was a turning point: “We had to completely rethink everything and go back ten steps to rebuild the foundations much more solidly.” Today, her company has a global outlook. 

Safeguarding Bavaria’s Guiding Principles 

Behind the DIT’s Silicon Valley Program, which has been based in Oberschneiding for around 10 years, lies a key economic policy conviction. The program’s initiator, Prof. Peter Schmieder, describes it as almost “scandalous” when market-changing innovations are invented in Bavaria but only achieve economic success elsewhere thanks to foreign capital. The aim of “To the Valley and Back” is therefore to make the teams investment-ready and operational, whilst keeping the value creation here in the region. 

A Program for the Future 

The homecoming event highlighted the importance of this network. Before a high-profile panel – including representatives from Fraunhofer Venture, the Head of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Gallen, and partners from Sequel Europe – nine teams demonstrated their “investment readiness”. Following the presentations, concrete discussions with investors took place during the subsequent networking session. In particular, the presence of numerous alumni, some of whom had already taken part in the program six years ago, demonstrates the deep sense of connection within the ecosystem that has been created. 

“I am incredibly proud of the teams, because I know where they started and how far they’ve come,” says a visibly pleased Peter Schmieder. Armed with a completely fresh perspective on topics such as scaling, sales and entrepreneurial thinking, the founders are returning ready to turn their innovations into real social value.