Hexagon has launched Sixth Sense, what it bills as its own ‘disruptive open innovation’ start-up platform to accelerate technology commercialisation with a view to developing better products, while benefitting humanity along the way.
The Sixth Sense scaling platform aims to take start-ups with advanced tech and products from minimum viable product to global commercialisation, leading the way for more open innovation in the smart manufacturing space, which Hexagon believes will help solve higher complexity problems for the industry.
Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, which provides engineering, production and quality technology is marshalling the platform, as it promotes sharing resources, data and ideas to fast-track progress and solve real-world problems that can address some of humanity’s greatest challenges, such as the journey to net zero carbon.
Grouped into themed challenge areas, these will include Sustainability, Big Data, Machine Learning, Sensors and Robotics, the first will be Artificial Intelligence.
Parth Joshi, chief product and technology officer of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, said: “We are searching for intelligent, efficient solutions that will not only enhance performance, but benefit people and the planet.
“Industry 4.0 is evolving and pushing to solve complex challenges, but the catch is that you cannot solve big problems without solving lots of little ones at each step with innovation.”
The 10 most innovative proposals will be chosen for an intensive innovate-on-the-job scaling programme, supported by Hexagon, key clients and world-leading mentors. Three final concepts will be offered opportunities to globalise and scale their business as commercial joint ventures.
Milan Kocić, head of Sixth Sense for Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, said: “Sixth Sense will build a bridge between small businesses and larger manufacturers; helping overcome start-ups’ challenges with scaling, while simultaneously meeting the industry’s need for new ideas.”
The platform has already partnered with a number of promising young companies, and is founded on the principle that diversity is fundamental to innovation and establishing such a thriving open ecosystem.
The selection criteria for Sixth Sense includes:
- $1m or less in revenue
- 1-5 years in existence
- Post seed, Series A, Series A+
- Proven traction and product-market fit
- Propensity to scale
Preferred qualities:
- Validation of investment from third party
- IP & licenses
For more information on Sixth Sense and to apply, click here.
