30.03.2018

Cortical.io: Wiener Antwort auf IBMs Watson

Ein eigenes System für Natural Language Processing haben weltweit nur wenige Unternehmen entwickelt. Cortical.io aus Wien zählt dazu.
/artikel/cortical-io-wiener-antwort-auf-ibms-watson
cortical.io: Die Gründer Daniel Schreiber und Francisco Webber
(c) cortical.io: Die Gründer Daniel Schreiber und Francisco Webber

„Keyword-basierte Suchmaschinen können weder die Zweideutigkeit von Wörtern erkennen – zum Beispiel ‚Bank zum Sitzen‘ versus ‚Bank als Geldinstitut‘ – noch anders formulierte Sätze in Zusammenhang bringen“, erklärt Marie-Pierre Garnier zur Frage, was der große Vorteil der Retina Engine gegenüber anderen Systemen ist, die Texte maschinell auslesen. Mit Hauptsitz in Wien und zwei Büros in den USA ist die junge Aktiengesellschaft Cortical.io ein Pionier des Machine Learnings.

+++ Österreichische Artificial Intelligence Kompetenzträger im Überblick +++

Eigene „Theory of Semantic Folding“

Francisco Webber und Daniel Schreiber arbeiteten bereits davor in der Information Retrieval Facility und bei Matrixware Information Services zusammen. Im November 2011 gründeten sie dann Cortical.io. Webbers Vision ist es, seine eigene „Theory of Semantic Folding“ in die Praxis umzusetzen. Auf ihrer Basis soll es gelingen, praktische Probleme statistischer NLP-Systeme zu lösen. Da sind der hohe Bedarf an Rechnerleistung, die Lernzeiten der Algorithmen oder ebenjener Interpretationsspielraum in Texten, der es Maschinen so schwer macht, Sprache zu verstehen wie der Mensch. Nach einem Jahr war der Prototyp fertig – die Retina Engine. 2014 wurde eine API veröffentlicht.

Volkswagen und andere Großkunden

Einer der vier größten Wirtschaftsprüfungskanzleien der Welt – Garnier darf sie nicht nennen – spart das 80 Prozent der Zeit bei der Überprüfung und Klassifizierung von Leasingverträgen. Volkswagen lässt sich mit dem System technische Dokumente clustern. Für einen Kunden aus dem IT-Sektor bringt das System 70 Prozent schnellere Bearbeitungszeit im Support. Die Software dahinter generiert aus Texten semantische Fingerabdrücke. Technisch ist das ein binärer Vektor mit 16.000 Zeichen, in dem nur die wenigsten Bits aktiv sind und jedes Bit eine semantische Bedeutung hat. Der Grad der Übereinstimmung zwischen den Fingerabdrücken bestimmt dann die inhaltliche Nähe. Das Speicherformat dazu nennt sich Sparse Distributed Representation und basiert auf dem menschlichen Gehirn.

Cortical.io: Schneller als IBMs Watson

Während konkurrierende Artificial-Intelligence-Systeme wie Watson von IBM sechs Monate bis zum Proof of Concept in Projekten brauchen, würde ihrem System das in vier Wochen gelingen, sagt Garnier, die für Marketing und Communications verantwortlich ist. Die Transparenz des Systems sei ebenfalls ein Vorteil: Sind die Ergebnisse nicht zufriedenstellend, können die semantischen Fingerabdrücke auf Bit-Ebene untersucht werden, um potenzielle Fehlerquellen zu beheben.

6,5 Mio. Euro Investment, 3,8 Mio. Euro Jahresumsatz

Insgesamt flossen nach einem Seed-Investment der österreichischen Forschungsförderung 6,5 Millionen Euro Investmentkapital in Cortical.io. Als dann nach sechs Jahren Produktentwicklung 2017 erste Anwendungen ausgereift sind, erwirtschaftet Cortical.io 3,8 Millionen US-Dollar Jahres-Umsatz mit 18 Mitarbeitern. Viele Kunden kommen zu dem Unternehmen über eine Partnerschaft mit Numenta. Im Dezember 2017 erfolgt die Umwandlung in eine Aktiengesellschaft. Es ist die einzige ihrer Art aus Österreich – in einer Branche, die gerade weltweit im Trend ist. „Wir sind das Google für Unternehmen“, sagt Garnier.

+++ Artificial Intelligence: Können Maschinen kreativ sein? +++

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01.04.2025

Call for international innovators: Turn your business idea into reality with aws First Incubator

The new program year for aws First Incubator has started! The first call is open until April 3rd and has a special focus on securing international founders, providing financial support, mentoring, and valuable networking opportunities to help new businesses thrive. Success stories like the startups "RacePace" or "nexus. Group AI" prove just how impactful the aws First Incubator program is for new businesses.
/artikel/call-for-international-innovators-turn-your-business-idea-into-reality-with-aws-first-incubator
01.04.2025

Call for international innovators: Turn your business idea into reality with aws First Incubator

The new program year for aws First Incubator has started! The first call is open until April 3rd and has a special focus on securing international founders, providing financial support, mentoring, and valuable networking opportunities to help new businesses thrive. Success stories like the startups "RacePace" or "nexus. Group AI" prove just how impactful the aws First Incubator program is for new businesses.
/artikel/call-for-international-innovators-turn-your-business-idea-into-reality-with-aws-first-incubator
The founders of © nexus. Group AI (left): Orion Forowycz and Andrei Cursaru; founder-team of © RacePace (right): Guillermo Alamán Requena, Lee Barad and Ido Dassa.

Are you in the early stages of founding your company or do you have an innovative business idea? All you need now is a project description, an application video, and a budget plan to apply for the aws First Incubator. The application deadline for the first call is open until April 3rd at 12 noonapply here! This call is specifically looking for international individuals or teams.

Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) is starting with its annual First Incubator program once again. They are looking for innovative minds with an entrepreneurial spirit who are either planning to start a business or have recently founded one and are still in the early stages. The program helps participants take their first steps into the market – from developing a business model to gaining the necessary know-how. brutkasten spoke with two best practice examples that are currently part of the First Incubator program.

Funding up to €55,000 possible

The aws First Incubator offers coaching and mentoring from experienced experts and founders. The funding program also includes a wide range of workshops on startup-related topics, team-specific mentoring, training sessions on business model development, and coaching sessions. Its goal is to help participants develop their business idea and make it market-ready within one to two years.

In addition, aws supports participants financially, including personnel cost subsidies, a project budget, and access to a coworking space. They also gain access to a valuable network of innovators, founders, and entrepreneurs. Projects can receive up to €55,000 in funding – click here for more details. These resources ensure that startups receive not only financial support but also strategic and operational guidance.

Selected projects are invited to the „First Startup Camp“ by aws. There, a jury of experts will decide which teams will be accepted into the First Incubator program.

Success Story: DeepTech-Startup nexus. Group AI

One of the startups currently participating in the aws First Incubator program is nexus. Group AI. The funding-program was a „game-changing moment for us, as we scale our operations and continue the development“, said the CEO. Founded by Andrei I. Cursaru (CEO) and Orion Forowycz (CTO), this DeepTech-startup develops cutting-edge AI solutions designed to strengthen societal resilience. Its flagship product, IRIS, is an AI-powered risk intelligence platform that helps governments, organizations, and enterprises navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape by providing the intelligence needed to reduce risks and enhance security.

The founders Andrei Cursaru and Orion Forowycz announced their participation at the aws First Incubator. © Screenshot/LinkedIn Andrei I. Cursaru

“Joining aws First Incubator is a dream come true“, said Cursaru. “This support will allow us to stay focused on our mission“. The funding helped nexus. Group AI on the operational and technical level, allowing them to further develop their AI system. Besides the workshops and the financial support, the founders especially praise the mentorship. “It was great to have a mentor with experience in AI startups. The mentorship is very personal.” Since then, the startup has been able to scale its product, Iris, further, and the founders have gained new entrepreneurship knowledge. The startup recently announced the launch of its pre-seed funding round.

Fitness-Startup RacePace: „For us it was a dream“

Another startup that has already achieved big results with the support of the aws First Incubator is RacePace. The Viennese startup was founded in 2024 by Ido Dassa, Guillermo Alamán Requena and Lee Barad. It offers an all-in-one race day solution, providing personalized insights on pacing, nutrition, and training. The platform tracks your fitness and running route, creating a customized training plan tailored to your needs.

Back when the RacePace team applied for the aws First Incubator, they only had the idea for the platform. „For us it was a dream. We get financial support and expert guidance. And I think for us it sounded like: of course, we need to apply for it because why not? We literally have nothing to lose“, said Barad.

Advantages for foreign founders

In an interview with brutkasten, Barad pointed out how important the First Incubator is for foreign founders. “Sometimes when you’re in a new country and don’t speak the language, you can feel lost. For us, it was pretty obvious that if we wanted to continue here, we must get some kind of support and help. Also as a foreigner, you’re often not familiar with the laws in Austria. On top of that, this is our first startup, so of course it’s scary, and a lot of things can go wrong. What’s amazing is that the aws mentorship covers so many topics“, Barad said. „That is the thing that is super valuable, what’s so different in the aws First Incubator is that we actually get one-on-one support“.

Since joining the First Incubator, a lot has happened for the startup. “We really felt that someone believes in us,” said the co-founder. They launched the platform and now have hundreds of users helping them further develop the product.

Advice for applicants

Asked for one piece of advice to applicants for the aws First Incubator, Cursaru says: “Think big and act efficiently. The judges really want a startup that solves a real problem and has the potential to grow into a successful company in Austria“. Barad also has a similar advice: “First of all, don’t hesitate. Just do it. If you have an idea and a passion for building something, try to really solve a problem and do your research beforehand. I think it’s important to do your homework“.

Key requirements

To join the aws First Incubator program, applicants must meet a few key requirements. Here are the most important ones:

  • Who can apply?
    • Individuals and companies registered in Austria
    • Companies must be no more than 6 months old
  • Revenue must not exceed €10,000
  • Team size: 1 to 4 members
  • Residence status:
    • Valid residence permit with work authorization in Austria (from June 2025 to at least August 2026)
    • Applicant must have lived in Austria for no more than 5 years at the time of application
  • Nationality:
    • As an individual applicant, you must be a non-Austrian citizen
    • In a team, at least some members must be Austrian citizens
  • With a few exceptions, startups from all sectors are welcome. You can find the full eligibility criteria here.
  • By the way, additional points are awarded for projects with women in key leadership positions and projects that address socio-political challenges (SDGs).

01.04.2025

Call for international innovators: Turn your business idea into reality with aws First Incubator

The new program year for aws First Incubator has started! The first call is open until April 3rd and has a special focus on securing international founders, providing financial support, mentoring, and valuable networking opportunities to help new businesses thrive. Success stories like the startups "RacePace" or "nexus. Group AI" prove just how impactful the aws First Incubator program is for new businesses.
01.04.2025

Call for international innovators: Turn your business idea into reality with aws First Incubator

The new program year for aws First Incubator has started! The first call is open until April 3rd and has a special focus on securing international founders, providing financial support, mentoring, and valuable networking opportunities to help new businesses thrive. Success stories like the startups "RacePace" or "nexus. Group AI" prove just how impactful the aws First Incubator program is for new businesses.
The founders of © nexus. Group AI (left): Orion Forowycz and Andrei Cursaru; founder-team of © RacePace (right): Guillermo Alamán Requena, Lee Barad and Ido Dassa.

Are you in the early stages of founding your company or do you have an innovative business idea? All you need now is a project description, an application video, and a budget plan to apply for the aws First Incubator. The application deadline for the first call is open until April 3rd at 12 noonapply here! This call is specifically looking for international individuals or teams.

Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) is starting with its annual First Incubator program once again. They are looking for innovative minds with an entrepreneurial spirit who are either planning to start a business or have recently founded one and are still in the early stages. The program helps participants take their first steps into the market – from developing a business model to gaining the necessary know-how. brutkasten spoke with two best practice examples that are currently part of the First Incubator program.

Funding up to €55,000 possible

The aws First Incubator offers coaching and mentoring from experienced experts and founders. The funding program also includes a wide range of workshops on startup-related topics, team-specific mentoring, training sessions on business model development, and coaching sessions. Its goal is to help participants develop their business idea and make it market-ready within one to two years.

In addition, aws supports participants financially, including personnel cost subsidies, a project budget, and access to a coworking space. They also gain access to a valuable network of innovators, founders, and entrepreneurs. Projects can receive up to €55,000 in funding – click here for more details. These resources ensure that startups receive not only financial support but also strategic and operational guidance.

Selected projects are invited to the „First Startup Camp“ by aws. There, a jury of experts will decide which teams will be accepted into the First Incubator program.

Success Story: DeepTech-Startup nexus. Group AI

One of the startups currently participating in the aws First Incubator program is nexus. Group AI. The funding-program was a „game-changing moment for us, as we scale our operations and continue the development“, said the CEO. Founded by Andrei I. Cursaru (CEO) and Orion Forowycz (CTO), this DeepTech-startup develops cutting-edge AI solutions designed to strengthen societal resilience. Its flagship product, IRIS, is an AI-powered risk intelligence platform that helps governments, organizations, and enterprises navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape by providing the intelligence needed to reduce risks and enhance security.

The founders Andrei Cursaru and Orion Forowycz announced their participation at the aws First Incubator. © Screenshot/LinkedIn Andrei I. Cursaru

“Joining aws First Incubator is a dream come true“, said Cursaru. “This support will allow us to stay focused on our mission“. The funding helped nexus. Group AI on the operational and technical level, allowing them to further develop their AI system. Besides the workshops and the financial support, the founders especially praise the mentorship. “It was great to have a mentor with experience in AI startups. The mentorship is very personal.” Since then, the startup has been able to scale its product, Iris, further, and the founders have gained new entrepreneurship knowledge. The startup recently announced the launch of its pre-seed funding round.

Fitness-Startup RacePace: „For us it was a dream“

Another startup that has already achieved big results with the support of the aws First Incubator is RacePace. The Viennese startup was founded in 2024 by Ido Dassa, Guillermo Alamán Requena and Lee Barad. It offers an all-in-one race day solution, providing personalized insights on pacing, nutrition, and training. The platform tracks your fitness and running route, creating a customized training plan tailored to your needs.

Back when the RacePace team applied for the aws First Incubator, they only had the idea for the platform. „For us it was a dream. We get financial support and expert guidance. And I think for us it sounded like: of course, we need to apply for it because why not? We literally have nothing to lose“, said Barad.

Advantages for foreign founders

In an interview with brutkasten, Barad pointed out how important the First Incubator is for foreign founders. “Sometimes when you’re in a new country and don’t speak the language, you can feel lost. For us, it was pretty obvious that if we wanted to continue here, we must get some kind of support and help. Also as a foreigner, you’re often not familiar with the laws in Austria. On top of that, this is our first startup, so of course it’s scary, and a lot of things can go wrong. What’s amazing is that the aws mentorship covers so many topics“, Barad said. „That is the thing that is super valuable, what’s so different in the aws First Incubator is that we actually get one-on-one support“.

Since joining the First Incubator, a lot has happened for the startup. “We really felt that someone believes in us,” said the co-founder. They launched the platform and now have hundreds of users helping them further develop the product.

Advice for applicants

Asked for one piece of advice to applicants for the aws First Incubator, Cursaru says: “Think big and act efficiently. The judges really want a startup that solves a real problem and has the potential to grow into a successful company in Austria“. Barad also has a similar advice: “First of all, don’t hesitate. Just do it. If you have an idea and a passion for building something, try to really solve a problem and do your research beforehand. I think it’s important to do your homework“.

Key requirements

To join the aws First Incubator program, applicants must meet a few key requirements. Here are the most important ones:

  • Who can apply?
    • Individuals and companies registered in Austria
    • Companies must be no more than 6 months old
  • Revenue must not exceed €10,000
  • Team size: 1 to 4 members
  • Residence status:
    • Valid residence permit with work authorization in Austria (from June 2025 to at least August 2026)
    • Applicant must have lived in Austria for no more than 5 years at the time of application
  • Nationality:
    • As an individual applicant, you must be a non-Austrian citizen
    • In a team, at least some members must be Austrian citizens
  • With a few exceptions, startups from all sectors are welcome. You can find the full eligibility criteria here.
  • By the way, additional points are awarded for projects with women in key leadership positions and projects that address socio-political challenges (SDGs).

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