UnternehmerTUM
Entrepreneurship center
A TUM-affiliated organisation supporting founders and entrepreneurship.
Guided Tours
Guided Tours: AI in Munich
Our guided tours take you behind the scenes at some of the most exciting startups. Meet founders, understand their business models and make valuable connections in Munich. Munich connects AI research with robotics, mobility and industrial applications. TUM brings together interdisciplinary AI research, while the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) works on robotics and machine intelligence. For companies, transfer is key: which task can be automated, how can it be tested in a real setting, and where is human oversight still needed?
Local perspective
AI, robotics and industrial applications
Munich connects AI research with robotics, mobility and industrial applications. TUM brings together interdisciplinary AI research, while the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) works on robotics and machine intelligence. For companies, transfer is key: which task can be automated, how can it be tested in a real setting, and where is human oversight still needed?
Questions to take into the conversation
- Which production or logistics task is technically and economically suitable for robotics?
- How should teams design safety, exception handling and handoffs in human-machine workflows?
- What data and test conditions are needed before a team scales an autonomous workflow?
Potential stops and perspectives
- TUM MIRMI (robotics and machine intelligence)
- Use cases at the intersection of AI and industry
- Startup and research transfer programs in Munich
Ecosystem organisations
Munich Urban Colab
Smart city hub
A new centre for smart cities and AI, bringing together the city administration and innovators.
TUM Venture Labs
Venture builder
Mentoring, workspace, and support for startups in robotics, AI, and communications technology.
Werk1
Startup hub
A central startup hub and accelerator in Munich.
BMW Startup Garage
Venture client
BMW Group's venture client unit. Parkring 19, Garching.
SAP Labs Munich Campus
Corporate innovation
700 SAP employees and 120 TUM researchers working on AI and digital supply chains.
Companies in the local ecosystem
Helsing
Defense AI
A defence technology company building software for military use.
Celonis
Process mining
Enterprise software for process mining and operational analytics.
Personio
HR tech
An HR platform for small and medium-sized businesses.
RobCo
Robotics
Modular robot kits for small and medium-sized businesses. TUM spin-off.
Isar Aerospace
SpaceTech
Launch vehicle startup
DeepDrive
Mobility / EV
Autonomous modular EV platform
Fernride
Mobility
Autonomous trucks for ports and terminals
Selected clients
Deutsche BörseTelekomKPMG
How it works
A format built around your team
Spend a day in the ecosystem: visit three to five carefully selected startups, sit down with founders and see how agile teams work. The program is shaped around your topics and can end with a group dinner. Expect candid exchange and first-hand insight.
What the format can include
- A curated program
- Direct conversations with founders
- Insider perspectives
- Networking lunch
What your team takes away
- A grounded picture of your industry in the ecosystem
- Three to five relevant startup connections
- Concrete starting points for pilots, procurement or investment
- A shared language for the topic across your team
Who it’s for
- Board members and senior executives
- Innovation and strategy leaders
- Department and business-unit heads
- Corporate venture and M&A teams
A typical agenda
09:00
Kickoff and context
A short introduction to the day and the topics you have brought with you.
10:00
Startups 1 and 2
On-site visits. Speak directly with the founders: no stage and no slide deck.
12:30
Lunch with founders
Continue the conversation over a relaxed lunch.
14:00
Startups 3 to 5
Visit more startups, selected around your priorities and the city's strengths.
17:00
Reflection
What does this mean for your organization? We make sense of the day's takeaways together.
19:00
Optional group dinner
An optional evening finish with more time for conversation, if a group dinner fits your programme.
Format and logistics
- Group size
- Best for 6 to 15 participants
- Duration
- One day, with an evening dinner on request
- Format
- On-site visits to 3 to 5 startups, curated around your topics
- Cities
- Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and other cities
- Lead time
- 3 to 4 weeks for curation
- Language
- German or English
About this format
Frequently asked questions
How many startups will we visit?
Usually three to five in a day, selected around your topics and the city's strengths. We focus on the startups most relevant to your team, not simply the loudest names.
Who chooses which startups we visit?
You set the topics and questions. We curate the right founders from our network, built over many years.
Which cities can host a Safari?
We organize Safaris across Germany, including Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf.
How many people can take part?
Small groups of 6 to 15 work best, leaving room for real conversation.
How much does a Startup Safari cost?
Each Safari is put together individually. Tell us the topic, city and group size, and we will prepare a tailored quote.
About the topic
Questions about AI Safari
Which AI topics does the Safari cover?
From generative AI to computer vision and robotics. Typical topics include LLMs, predictive maintenance and autonomous systems.
Is this only for tech companies?
No. Most participants come from traditional industries such as manufacturing, logistics and financial services.
Which city is the best fit for my AI Safari?
Cologne for applied AI in insurance, Düsseldorf for enterprise AI and Aachen for deep-tech research. We also organize tours in other cities, including Berlin and Munich.
Explore with your team