Microsoft, NVIDIA and Infineon Launch 'Physical AI' Accelerator in Europe to Support Robotics Startups with Cloud Resources and Hardware Access
Three tech giants partnered with a European innovation hub to launch an equity-free accelerator, offering substantial cloud credits and semiconductor technology stacks to accelerate the commercialization of European robotics and industrial AI from prototype to deployment.
On October 22, 2026, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies announced a partnership with UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, an incubation platform affiliated with the Technical University of Munich, to launch the "Physical AI Growth Lab." The project aims to help European robotics and industrial AI startups overcome barriers from prototype to commercial deployment without requiring any equity in return.
The accelerator is scheduled to run from January to April 2027, selecting 10 to 15 eligible startups. Participants will receive $350,000 in Azure cloud credits, access to NVIDIA's software development kits (SDKs) and open models, and foundational hardware support from Infineon for building physical AI systems, including power semiconductors, microcontrollers, and sensors. Additionally, founders will gain mentorship from over 170 deep-tech experts and access to a network of more than 200 investors.
Startups participating in the program must be based in or targeting the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) markets, have a working prototype or minimum viable product (MVP), maintain teams of no more than 20 people, and have been founded within the last three years. This initiative reflects major tech companies' efforts to preemptively position themselves in next-generation applications of embodied intelligence and industrial automation by providing infrastructure and technological ecosystems.