From Local Startup to Transatlantic Innovator: How mateligent iDEAS GmbH is Revolutionizing Sensor Technology in the U.S. Market after being part of the STEP USA Program:
The German American Chamber of Commerce, New York (GACC NY) supports German American trade by assisting businesses with market entry, expansion, and strategic partnerships in both the United States and Germany. Through programs like STEP USA, the GACC NY helps startups and scaleups navigate legal, cultural, and operational challenges on the U.S. market.
Saarland-based mateligent iDEAS GmbH took part in the STEP USA program in August 2023. The company develops innovative sensor technology solutions designed to capture precise data on deformation, movement, and force in a wide range of industries, including medical, automotive, and structural health. Using a flexible, electroactive polymer-based platform, their sensors withstand high strain and cyclic use, making them ideal for applications from professional sports and physical therapy to battery monitoring and industrial safety. With a unique mass production capability and over 100 patents, mateligent partners with companies to create customized solutions that advance data-driven insights and functionality in emerging markets.
GACC NY: We’re excited to hear about your experience entering the US market as a startup from Germany. Could you start by sharing some of the advantages you see in expanding to the United States?
Andreas Meyer: The large American domestic market provides an excellent opportunity for us to expand broadly with our products. Additionally, we find a suitable mindset in the US to develop and introduce entirely new functionalities with our sensor technology platform and partners. The openness to innovation and the willingness to believe in and invest in big visions are crucial for technological advancements. With our highly flexible sensor technology, we offer novel solutions in fields like medical, wearables, structural health, automotive, and industry. To drive and implement the developments of tomorrow, we need strong, innovation-driven partners in these markets, and the US provides an ideal foundation for that.
GACC NY: What exactly does your company do?
Andreas Meyer: We support our partners in tackling their challenges and offering their customers entirely new functionalities. We achieve this through our innovative, highly flexible sensor technology platform and our holistic approach, which includes custom solutions with sensor modifications, electronics, and integration options. Our partners see progress across fields like physical therapy, professional sports, fall prevention for the elderly, battery monitoring, and structural health.
Our sensors detect deformations, movements, and forces with high resolution in areas where this wasn’t previously possible. Based on electroactive polymers and using a capacitive measurement technique, they provide high signal quality and easy calibration. The sensors can endure over 100% strain and perform millions of cycles without losing their properties. We also operate the world’s only mass production line in the US capable of producing these sensors in high quantities with consistent quality. Our technology is protected by over 100 patents, covering manufacturing processes and complete system solutions.
GACC NY: What are your company’s challenges in Germany and the US?
Andreas Meyer: The economic situation in Germany is currently tense. While our industry and automotive contacts are enthusiastic about our technology’s potential, they currently lack the market security to invest in new products based on this technology. To address this, we follow a cost-effective development approach by creating proof-of-concept demonstrators with standard sensor forms, minimizing the risk associated with large-scale development projects.
In contrast, the economic environment in the US is more favorable, with companies actively investing in new product realization. Consequently, we’re starting to look for partners ready to invest in future technologies and drive new product development under the “Think global, act local” approach.
GACC NY: Could you tell us about your participation in the STEP USA Program and how it supported your entry into the US market? What sessions, contacts, or input were valuable for you?
Andreas Meyer: Last year, we faced numerous challenges. We acquired a comprehensive technology package, including a production line, existing customers, and a patent portfolio with over 100 patents. Within a year, we grew from a local German startup to a transatlantic production company.
As we sought and expanded a production facility in Minneapolis, we also relocated and rebuilt the production line while establishing an American subsidiary. The STEP USA program, particularly the support from GACC’s Legal Services, was invaluable. Our session with Jens Daum and subsequent collaboration with Juliane Eichler enabled us to quickly establish mateligent iDEAS Inc.
The program’s insights on the American investment landscape, patent and trademark law, and cultural differences were all incredibly valuable. The organized pitch night also allowed us to showcase our technology and make valuable contacts, such as Jim Weiss, who supported us in our production relocation efforts.
GACC NY: What kind of customers are you looking for in the US? How do you identify and attract customers in the US?
Andreas Meyer: We’re looking for innovative companies and investors with whom we can build partnerships to open new markets and revolutionize existing ones using our FlexSense platform. Our versatile sensors are used across FDA-approved sectors and the automotive industry. They enable fundamental data collection for monitoring muscles and respiration, gait analysis, and battery monitoring. This opens new possibilities for data collection on movement and forces in fields like medicine, mining, entertainment, aerospace, automotive, fitness and wearables, and industry.
To introduce our technology, we attend various trade fairs in the US and Europe, engaging with potential partners to discuss application possibilities and use cases. Simultaneously, we are enhancing our online presence by restructuring our website and filling our LinkedIn channel with content.
GACC NY: Where do you see your company in one to three years?
Andreas Meyer: We plan to expand our team in the US across marketing, quality, development, and production. We are seeking more development partners and investors to support us during this growth phase. In the next twelve months, we’ll focus on market expansion, new product development, and building our quality and process infrastructure. In three years, we aim to grow not only in the American market but also in Europe, setting up parallel production in Saarland.
Following the principle “Think global, act local,” we’re seeking suitable partners in both Europe and the US. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to meet the increasing needs of our existing customers and support them in their current and future developments.
Interview by Andrea Diewald, Oct. 25, 2024
