Strategic partnership for the promotion of AI

As part of the partnership, Jungheinrich is participating in Merantix Capital's AI fund with an investment of EUR 5 million. The fund invests in AI-native start-ups that develop solutions for the challenges of industry and other sectors such as healthcare, finance and manufacturing.

The strategic partnership focuses on AI investment opportunities in Europe, particularly in key areas such as robotics, sustainability, enterprise AI, energy and logistics. Possible concrete use cases for the collaboration include solutions for analysing used lithium-ion batteries or for warehouse simulation with the aim of optimizing material flows.

Dr. Lars Brzoska, CEO of Jungheinrich, says: "Jungheinrich has extensive know-how in intralogistics and mechanical engineering. With Merantix, we are gaining a strong partner with in-depth expertise and strong competence in building AI-based business models. The partnership will enable us to leverage valuable synergies and work together to strengthen AI applications in the industrial environment."

"AI-native business models are changing the industry. However, their success depends largely on successful integration into existing structures," says Dr. Rasmus Rothe, co-founder and General Partner of Merantix Capital. "At Merantix, we know the requirements for scaling AI companies. As an industry partner, Jungheinrich brings the necessary experience and openness for innovation."

The partnership with Merantix complements Jungheinrich's existing activities in the field of corporate venture capital. It follows the investment in the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and is part of Jungheinrich's new strategic orientation to systematically develop further business models outside its core business via the recently founded subsidiary Uplift Ventures. Further fund investments are planned in the future to give Jungheinrich broader access to the start-up ecosystem and further expand the international reach of its venturing activities.

The partnership also underlines Merantix Capital's close ties to key industry partners with the aim of creating an interface between companies and the start-up ecosystem in the field of AI. In this way, Merantix is driving the necessary adoption of AI in Europe, which is only possible through close collaboration and knowledge sharing.

In addition to the investment in Merantix Capital, the partnership includes cooperation with other units of the Merantix Group, including the AI solutions company Merantix Momentum, as well as exchange with the Merantix community at the AI Campus in Berlin, Europe's largest AI center with around 80 companies and over 200 events annually.