TRUMPF invests a further 3.2 million euros in Optimate start-up

Ditzingen/Stuttgart, April 7, 2022 – High-tech company TRUMPF is investing a further 3.2 million euros in Optimate, a start-up that offers a software solution to help customers cut costs by optimizing sheet-metal part design. The investment will enable Optimate to further expand its activities in the sheet-metal fabrication market. “Optimate has already inspired real enthusiasm among our customers and our design engineers. We’re seeing a growing need for digital assistance systems and cloud-based services in the industry, and this additional investment in Optimate will help accelerate that transformation,” says Tom Schneider, managing director for research and development at TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen SE + Co. KG.

Optimize part design, reduce manufacturing costs

Optimate’s online platform provides an AI-based software solution that enables sheet-metal fabricators and design engineers to optimize parts and avoid design errors, thereby reducing their manufacturing costs. The wholly owned TRUMPF subsidiary uses its own in-house algorithm and machine learning system to identify how customers can improve their part design, for example by minimizing material usage. Optimate’s software can also correct design errors at the touch of a button. Users can then download the optimized CAD file and immediately put it to use. Optimate is currently working on the next version of its software which will identify optimization potential for complex components and tackle the manufacturing steps that drive costs the most.

TRUMPF incubator program paved the way for Optimate

The start-up company was spun off from TRUMPF in the summer of 2020. The founders were originally employed by TRUMPF and were able to successfully develop their idea into a business model as part of TRUMPF’s in-house incubator initiative “Internehmertum”. “It’s a scheme designed to promote intrapreneurship – and that made it the perfect environment to develop and validate our idea. We hit the ground running from the moment we were spun off,” says Optimate founder Jonas Steiling. The start-up already employs seven people and aims to grow further.

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