The AI startup Summ AI was honored with the TUM Presidential Entrepreneurship Award at this year's TUM Entrepreneurship Day. The €10,000 prize recognizes spin-offs that are based on research, demonstrate commercial potential, and have completed initial financing rounds. Summ AI meets these criteria with an innovative AI tool that translates complex content into plain English.
Summ AI: Accessibility through AI
The demand for accessible communication is growing: Public authorities and companies in the EU are increasingly required to provide information in plain language. This form of language follows strict rules and is complex to create. Summ AI addresses this problem with a specially developed AI solution that automatically translates texts into plain language in compliance with the rules. The tool can also generate appropriate illustrations to make content even more understandable.
Founded in 2022, Startup was founded by Flora Geske, Vanessa Theel, and Nicholas Wolf. All founders have a background in the TUM Finance and Information Management program. Summ AI has received funding from the TUM Venture Lab Software & AI as well as the TUM Xplore and Xpreneurs programs.
Finalists Kewazo and Phlair with future technologies
In addition to Summ AI, two other startups were in the finals of the awards ceremony. Kewazo presented a robot that automates material transport on construction sites, thereby increasing efficiency and occupational safety. The system also collects data for project management. The team, with roots in construction technology, computer science, and management, received funding from Xpreneurs and the TUM US Venture Program, among others.
Phlair developed a new technology for capturing CO2 from the air. The core of the technology is an energy-efficient hydrolyzer that can be integrated into the direct air capture process and powered by solar panels. The technology offers industrial companies the opportunity to produce in a climate-neutral manner. The founding team received support from the TUM Venture Lab Chemspace.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the TUM Entrepreneurship Day offered a platform for exchange within Munich's innovation ecosystem. Over 50 startups presented their work to approximately 1,800 attendees. Discussions included the future of AI research and European sovereignty in space. Summ AI's award exemplifies how scientific findings are translated into marketable solutions – a central goal of startup support at TUM.
