Success for IfM start-ups at Oxbridge AI Challenge
Teams from the Institute of Manufacturing (IfM) at the University of Cambridge celebrated huge success at the 2024 Oxbridge AI Challenge, with 3 out of the top 10 teams coming from our institute.
innex.AI, led by Dr Carl-Magnus v. Behr and Dr Jan H. Blümel, were awarded Oxbridge AI Challenge Trailblazers & Winners of the Rutland Foundation Prize, while OmnAI, led by Tim Schoonbeek and Michael Vogeser, and Omnisent, led by Robin Daiber, were recognised as Game Changing finalists.
The Oxbridge AI Challenge is an annual early-stage pitch competition and incubator for AI start-ups from the Cambridge and Oxford ecosystems. Challengers vie for a share of a £60,000 prize across three rounds by pitching their start-ups to panels of expert judges.
In the first round, the 200+ competing start-ups were given 5 minutes to present their vision to a panel of 15 judges, either online or in-person at regional events. From there, 32 teams were selected to advance to the semi-finals, where they pitched once more to another panel of judges. Ultimately, 10 start-ups were chosen to move on to the final, held at the Shoreditch Exchange in London, where they delivered their final pitch to a panel of industry experts and an audience of over 100 people, from which the winning teams were selected.
Applying to the challenge not only enters you into the competition but also connects start-ups with the Oxbridge AIx community - a supportive network focused on addressing pressing global issues. Additionally, participants can engage in matchmaking sessions to find potential co-founders, receive one-on-one mentorship, and gain credits for Azure, OpenAI, and other resources from Microsoft for Start-ups and other partners.
Carl and Jan reflect on the impact the competition has had on their start-up, “Participating in the Oxbridge AI Challenge was incredibly enriching, thanks to the fantastic support from the team. They helped us refine our strategy and pitch, enhancing our presentation skills and clarity of vision. We are deeply grateful for the support and the impact it has had on our journey.”
Innex.ai - Oxbridge AI Challenge Trailblazers & Winners of the Rutland Foundation Prize
Winning start-up innex.AI’s vision is to become the compliance OS for built environment teams, streamlining daily tasks and ensuring that work is completed in the most efficient, compliant, and informed manner possible. To achieve this, the team combine a number of tools:
- AI-Powered Search & Writing Assistant: Instantly retrieves regulatory information and automates compliance documentation, saving teams countless hours.
- Advanced Analytics: Unveils actionable insights to drive operational improvements and optimise decision-making.
- Collaboration Tools: Enhances teamwork by sharing best practices and fostering synergies across organisations, boosting compliance and sustainability efforts.
“We have successfully launched a pilots across four major NHS Trusts, providing strong validation for the need innex.AI is addressing and the willingness of the NHS to engage with the solution. The pilots provide critical feedback and data, allowing us to refine and improve our system, as well as quantify the time and cost savings possible” says Carl.
Carl and Jan are now focussing on growing their team, having recently hired their first employee, and raising investment. The next 12 months will also be dedicated to working on the pilots, increasing user engagement and refining the product based on feedback. They’re also exploring their next pilot programme with a healthcare provider in Canada.
To find out more, get in touch with Carl and Jan at: carl@innex.ai and jan@innex.ai
OmnAI – Game Changing finalist
OmnAI is a solution designed to act as a "second pair of eyes" for industrial workers. By leveraging real-time sensor data, OmnAI detects potential errors, provides safety alerts, and reduces costly downtimes, redefining error prevention in manufacturing and contributing to safer, more efficient industrial processes.
"The challenge proved to be an invaluable experience for our team, offering insights into pitching to large audiences and adapting to dynamic situations. It opened doors to entrepreneurship programs and facilitated discussions with experts from organisations like Microsoft and Stability.ai. This experience reaffirmed the potential of OmnAI in shaping the future of AI-driven innovation in the industry,” says co-founder, Tim Schoonbeek.
To learn more about OmnAI, connect with Tim at ts995@cam.ac.uk or LinkedIn
Omnisent – Game Changing finalist
Omnisent, developed by Robin and his two co-founders, Ann-Kristin Balve and Adrien Jathe, build AI-driven acoustic data software to unlock the potential of one of the most versatile physical data sources: sound. Their first application focuses on reducing energy waste and optimising compressed air systems within the manufacturing industry. Ultimately, the goal is to scale this technology to over 50 real-world applications across manufacturing, space, home devices, agriculture, and more.
As Europe’s manufacturing and automation sectors face trends like localised supply chains, sustainability demands, and labour shortages, Omnisent is positioned to lead innovative solutions in this evolving landscape.
“Participating in the Oxbridge AI Challenge was an extraordinary experience. Out of over 220 startups, we were proud to be recognised among the top 10. The challenge gave us a platform to showcase our innovation, connect with like-minded founders, learn from inspiring mentors, and build relationships with industry leaders. It has opened doors that will shape the future of Omnisent and AI in manufacturing, “says Robin.
