For the second year in a row, machine tool and laser technology specialist TRUMPF will act as partner to the global CODE_n innovation platform – this year for the first time as global partner. CODE_n provides new companies with a platform they can use to showcase their digital business models, connect with established partners from industry, science and research, and team together to develop new ideas. The CODE_n community’s central get-together is the international new.New innovation festival, which this year will be taking place in September at the Karlsruhe Centre for Art and Media.
As the digitalization of the workplace continues, collaborating with start-ups has assumed a central role in the TRUMPF innovation concept. “The success of Industry 4.0 relies on multiple partners working together; CODE_n is our chance to exchange ideas with other companies and start-ups and work together to shape the future of photonics,” explains Berthold Schmidt, Head of Corporate R&D at TRUMPF. “Last year’s event with us as strategic partner was such a success that this year we wanted to be a global partner and take on an even more prominent role.”
As a pioneer and technology leader in the domain of laser technology, TRUMPF is primarily focusing on ambitious start-ups concentrating on Photonics 4.0. This is why TRUMPF also acts as patron for this cluster. Photonics 4.0 is all about how we can drive Industry 4.0 forwards using optical technologies. “We want to work with the CODE_n participants to find out how light, for instance, might transform our work and social environments in the future. Or how it could enable optical sensors that provide data for machine analysis,” explains Schmidt. Other areas of interest include solutions and innovative business ideas for augmented reality and metal 3D printing. The laser is an universal tool that has a key role to play in these technologies – and, as market leader, TRUMPF’s involvement will be pivotal.
An essential element is the start-up contest with the tagline “Unveiling Digital Disruption.” Interested companies are invited to submit their business ideas at www.code-n.org/contest by May 31, 2016. The four available topic clusters are “Applied FinTechs,” “Connected Mobility,” “HealthTech” and “Photonics 4.0.” After reviewing the applications, an expert panel will select 50 start ups to be given the opportunity to showcase their business model to a wider public over the three days of the festival, make new contacts and win the 30,000 euro CODE_n Award. In addition to TRUMPF, the festival is also partnered by CODE_n initiator GFT Technologies as well as Accenture, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
“Our goal is to motivate all start-ups that focus on digital technologies and encourage them to submit their products to the CODE_n festival,” says Schmidt. “We look forward to some exciting conversations and innovative business ideas we can work on together.”

http://www.in.trumpf.com/en/press/press-releases/press-release/rec-uid/277842.html

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