Germany-based ONE WARE has raised €2.5 million to automate custom AI model development across industries. The startup’s technology lets companies build tailored neural networks in seconds without deep technical expertise. Leon Beier, co-founder and CEO, says the breakthrough eliminates traditional barriers. “Even existing industrial systems can be upgraded with a tailored AI solution in just minutes,” he explains. The company has already partnered with major chip manufacturer Altera and deployed systems at industrial clients like HDO and FSB. The funding round was led by Cusp Capital. The investment will expand ONE WARE’s development team and scale server infrastructure to meet growing demand.
How ONE WARE’s System Works?
ONE WARE Studio serves as an open-source development environment for hardware design. The platform adapts to different hardware setups through its modular plugin system. The real innovation comes from ONE AI, their automated neural network generator. This tool creates custom AI models optimized for specific tasks and available hardware. Unlike competitors requiring expensive edge-AI chips, ONE AI runs on decade-old equipment.
“This is made possible by a globally unique method for automatically generating neural network architectures,” Beier notes. The company has filed for patent protection on this approach. A joint white paper with Altera shows impressive results. AI models built with ONE AI deliver responses up to 488 times faster with 24 times greater accuracy compared to standard approaches.
Real-World Results and Industry Impact
HDO, a metal component manufacturer, uses ONE AI for real-time quality control. The system detects defects on high-gloss surfaces that traditional methods struggle with. Christian Leon, HDO’s COO, says the transformation happened quickly.
“We established a robust defect detection system in just a few weeks,” Leon explains. “Traditional metrology would have taken up to 18 months to reach this milestone.” FSB relies on ONE WARE’s technology for hardware design defect detection. Both companies report significant improvements in accuracy and speed.
Mark Moran from Altera highlights the partnership’s broader potential. “ONE WARE takes our MAX 10 platform to a new level,” he states. The collaboration delivers solutions that are more precise and efficient than previous approaches. The technology works across sectors beyond manufacturing. Medical technology and aerospace applications are already being explored. This versatility attracted investor attention and shaped the funding decision.
The Future of Accessible AI Development
ONE WARE represents a shift toward democratized AI development. Their approach removes technical barriers that previously limited AI adoption to well-funded tech companies. Jan Sessenhausen from Cusp Capital sees broader implications. “With its mission to make advanced technologies more accessible, the team is fundamentally changing how AI development is approached across industries,” he says.
The startup plans to deepen partnerships with industrial and mechanical engineering firms. This strategy aims to make their technology widely available beyond early adopters. ONE WARE’s success suggests we’re entering an era where custom AI becomes as accessible as standard software tools. The combination of automated model generation and hardware optimization could reshape how industries approach digital transformation. As more companies discover they can deploy AI in minutes rather than months, the technology may finally deliver on its promise of universal application.
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