What iCampus does

iCampus Cottbus — formally Innovationscampus Elektronik und Mikrosensorik Cottbus — is a publicly funded research cooperation founded in November 2019 in Cottbus, Germany. It is not a commercial company but a consortium of six research partners — Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), Fraunhofer IPMS, Fraunhofer IZM, Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), IHP GmbH, and Thiem-Research GmbH — employing approximately 100 scientists and 13 BTU professors across twelve named research work packages organized into four fields: Digitalization/Industry 4.0, Process and Environmental Sensorics, Agriculture 4.0, and Medicine/Life Sciences. The project develops application-specific micro-sensor technologies including medical radar (hardware distance resolution < 1 μm), MEMS-based ultrasound cameras with ML-supported 4D imaging, silicon Schottky-diode NIR sensors extended to 2 μm, CMOS-compatible hydrogen/hydrocarbon gas sensors, HF/MEMS varactors extending wireless range from ~100 m to >1,000 m, sub-THz radar modules (160/275 GHz), plasmonic on-chip refractive index sensors, SERDS Raman spectroscopy, autonomous UAV swarming, livestock vital-parameter monitoring, and an autonomous 5G campus network operational since Spring 2024.

The project is fully funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under the federal Immediate Measures Program for Structural Change in Coal Regions, with €7.5M in Phase I (2019–2021) and €20M in Phase II (2022–2026). It has no commercial pricing model and generates no product revenue. Instead, its business model is technology transfer: it co-develops sensor prototypes with regional small and medium-sized enterprises in the Lausitz region (~1.1 million residents, ~60,000 manufacturing firms), and converts research outputs into spin-offs — two of which (NMI Technologies for NIR-based plastic sorting; Mesh4U for wireless networked sensors) won shared first place at the BTU Transferpreis 2025. Distribution occurs through collaborative R&D agreements, the annual iCCC conference, trade-show presence (Sensor+Test, MST Congress), and direct outreach by a dedicated transfer manager, rather than through conventional product sales channels.

Name

iCampus

Legal name

Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) / Fraunhofer IPMS-ISS

Website

https://icampus-cottbus.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

iCampus Cottbus is a BMBF-funded research cooperation developing application-specific micro-sensors (radar, ultrasound, NIR, gas, THz, 5G) across twelve work packages, employing ~100 scientists from BTU, Fraunhofer IPMS/IZM, FBH, IHP, and Thiem-Research to transfer sensor technologies to SMEs and spin-offs in the Lausitz region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Micro-Sensor Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Micro-sensor research
• MEMS development
• Applied sensor R&D
• Industrial sensor systems
• Technology transfer services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cottbus

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding (BMBF): iCampus is a federally funded research project under the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Immediate Measures Program for Structural Change in Coal Regions. Phase I (2019–2021) received €7.5 million. Phase II (2022–2026) is funded with €20 million from the federal government. The project does not generate commercial revenue; its objective is technology transfer to regional SMEs, not product sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

iCampus Cottbus is a publicly funded research cooperation that develops application-specific micro-sensor technologies across ten work packages spanning four research fields (Digitalization/Industry 4.0, Process and Environmental Sensorics, Agriculture 4.0, and Medical/Life Sciences). The project covers the full sensor development chain from component design to integrated system solutions, with results transferred to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Lausitz region through collaborative R&D, technology transfer events, and spin-off creation. Revenue is generated exclusively through BMBF federal grants, not commercial product sales.

Product overview

iCampus is a research cooperation (not a commercial product company) focused on microsensor technology and digitalization for the Lausitz region. The initiative encompasses 12 named research work packages organized across four thematic fields: Digitalization/Industry 4.0 (Predictive Maintenance ForTune, HF-Sensors MEMS-Varaktor, 5G-Connected Sensing), Process and Environmental Sensorics (Gas Sensor Technology, Refractive Index Sensor, Ultrasonic Camera), Agriculture 4.0 (UAV-Platooning/Drone Swarm, Animal Monitoring), and Medical/Life Sciences (Medical Radar, μ-Spectrum Raman Laboratory, NIR-Sensor). Additionally, the LausiTHz project develops sub-THz radar technology. These research areas span from component-level development to integrated sensor systems, with the goal of transferring results to regional SMEs and creating high-tech jobs in the coal transition region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FORTUNE – Predictive Maintenance Multi-Sensor Condition Monitoring Multi-sensor system combining ultrasonic, electromagnetic radiation, and radar vibration detection with AI-based sensor fusion algorithms for predictive maintenance of industrial machinery. Targets industrial operators seeking to reduce unplanned downtime through machine state assessment.
• HF-Sensors MEMS-Varaktor Embedded radio frequency frontend module designed as an add-on for commercial sensor nodes, extending wireless sensor range from a few hundred meters to over 1,000 meters while improving energy efficiency. CMOS-compatible with tuning ratio > 20.
• 5G-Connected Sensing 5G network deployment analysis for heterogeneous networked sensors including drone communications, intelligent machines, and novel gas and refractive index sensors. Backed by an autonomous 5G campus network testbed at BTU operational since Spring 2024.
• Gassensorik (Gas Sensor Technology) Two complementary CMOS-compatible gas detection technologies: resistance-based sensors for hydrogen and hydrocarbons with high sensitivity at room temperature, and optical gas sensors for reliable long-term stable highly selective measurement in scalable applications.
• NIR-Sensor (Near-Infrared Sensor) Silicon-based near-infrared detector extended to 2 μm wavelength using Schottky diode architecture with nanophotonic metal-layer structures to overcome reflection and quantum-efficiency limitations of standard silicon NIR detectors.
• On-chip Brechungsindexsensor (On-chip Refractive Index Sensor) Plasmonic sensor combining nano-hole array structures with germanium photodetectors to translate refractive index changes directly into photocurrent variations, enabling miniaturized on-chip solutions for mobile deployment and sensor networks without spectrometer-based signal processing.
• Ultraschallkamera (Ultrasonic Camera) Contact-free ultrasonic camera using MEMS ultrasonic transmitter arrays to generate 4D images via air-coupled sound wave reflection. Provides spatial depth with high spatial and angular resolution and employs machine learning for object identification and motion detection.
• UAV-Platooning / Drohnen-Schwarmflug (Drone Swarm Flight, UPWARDSII) Autonomous drone swarming system with radar/UWB-based formation control, automated battery-swapping landing platform for continuous flight, and multi-UAV coordination for complex sequential or parallel missions in agriculture and infrastructure monitoring.
• Tiermonitoring (Livestock Monitoring) Networked multi-sensor system for early detection of anomalies in the digestive tract and vital parameters of dairy cattle, combining contactless radar-based vital parameter detection with herd behavior analysis for improved animal welfare and sustainable food production.
• Medizin-Radar (Medical Radar) Ultra-low-power mobile radar system for contactless monitoring of cardiovascular parameters (heart sounds, breathing function) and early detection of epilepsy in infants. Emits electromagnetic waves reflected by the body; pulse waves in blood vessels create surface vibrations detectable through clothing, blankets, and mattresses with hardware distance resolution under 1 μm. Developed with Thiem-Research GmbH at Carl-Thiem-Klinikum.
• Applikationslabor μ-Spektrum (Raman Spectroscopy Application Laboratory) Raman spectroscopy application laboratory using Shifted Excitation Raman Difference Spectroscopy (SERDS) with dual-wavelength diode lasers in external resonators or GaAs-based dual-wavelength laser diodes. Separates Raman signatures from background noise to enable real-condition measurements on human skin, apples, and soil samples without a spectrometer.
• LausiTHz (Sub-THz Radar Front-End Modules) Sub-THz radar front-end module development at 160 GHz and 275 GHz using SiGe transceiver ICs, InP power amplifiers, packaging technologies for hetero-integration, and on-chip antennas / Antenna-in-Package (AiP) concepts for imaging radar applications in industry, agriculture, and medicine.

Quantifiable outcome

• Two spin-offs commercializing iCampus research results as of 2025 (NMI Technologies, Mesh4U)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus – Senftenberg (BTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is the host university for the iCampus project, providing infrastructure and expertise from ten academic departments (faculties 1 and 3). It contributes laboratory work and simulation in sensor development and material design, sensor fusion, and AI integration. BTU's president and multiple professors hold leadership positions in the project. The project is headquartered on the BTU central campus.
• Fraunhofer IPMS (Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer IPMS in Dresden contributes silicon-MEMS component development and NIR sensor development. It leads the overall project management and provides cleanroom fabrication facilities. Key staff including Prof. Dr. Harald Schenk (overall project leader) and Dr. Sandro Koch (ultrasound camera work package leader) are affiliated with IPMS.
• Fraunhofer IZM (Institut für Zuverlässigkeit und Mikrointegration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer IZM in Berlin contributes micro- and RF system integration, characterization, and technological reliability assessment. It also hosts a branch office in Cottbus. The LausiTHz work package is led through IZM, and Dr. Ivan Ndip serves as IZM project leader.
• Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) – Leibniz-Institut für HöchstfrequenztechnikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBH in Berlin contributes III/V components for optical and electronic systems, Raman measurement system development, and HF/microwave technology. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Heinrich and Prof. Dr. Martin Schneider-Ramelow are the FBH-affiliated project leaders.
• IHP GmbH – Leibniz-Institut für innovative MikroelektronikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHP in Frankfurt (Oder) contributes circuits and wireless systems, THz technologies, sensor networks, and material design. Prof. Dr. Christian Wenger leads the refractive index sensor work package, and Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kahmen serves on the iCampus steering committee.
• Thiem-Research GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThiem-Research GmbH, based at Carl-Thiem-Klinikum in Cottbus, contributes medical technology development and clinical integration, including ethics applications. Michael Mallach leads the medical radar work package at this partner.
• Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland (FMD)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMD (Research Factory Microelectronics Germany) is a cooperation of German microelectronics research institutions. FMD organizes the MST Congress and the Fraunhofer joint stand at Sensor+Test, Germany's largest sensor trade fair, providing iCampus with access to these platforms.
• NokiasupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the 5G Day event at BTU (January 2025). Nokia contributed presentations on 5G network technology and demonstrated security management concepts including alarm and task management solutions.
• Smart Mobile LabssupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the 5G Day event at BTU. Demonstrated real-time video distribution on 5G smartphones with object and person recognition as part of 5G technology showcase.
• ASCOMsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the 5G Day event at BTU. Presented security management solutions including alarm and task management systems integrated with 5G networks.
• Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum SpreelandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 5G Day event at BTU. Provides SME-focused digitalization support and acts as a bridge between iCampus research and regional small and medium-sized enterprises.
• OASYS (Optoelektronische Sensoren für anwendungsnahe Systeme für Lebenswissenschaften und intelligente Fertigung)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnother structural change project at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg focused on MEMS technologies for imaging procedures. OASYS and iCampus held their first joint annual network meeting in October 2025. OASYS is funded with €12.5 million by BMBF.
• Dock3 LausitzsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGründungszentrum (startup center) in Cottbus (STARTBLOCK B2) where iCampus holds events and collaborates on startup ecosystem development. Referenced in events listings and news as a collaboration venue.
• Wiese Sieben / DropnostixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal collaborators in the Tiermonitoring (livestock monitoring) work package, working alongside iCampus researchers and Fraunhofer IZM on radar-based vital parameter detection for dairy cattle.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SICK AG: German industrial sensor manufacturer active in gas detection, ultrasonic imaging, radar and 5G-connected sensing — categories that map closely to iCampus work packages (Gassensorik, Ultraschallkamera, HF-Sensors). Comparable as a mature commercial counterpart for the iCampus sensor portfolio.
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Parent network of the Fraunhofer IPMS and Fraunhofer IZM institutes that participate in iCampus. Operates as a much larger, Germany-wide applied research umbrella with overlapping microsensor, MEMS, RF and packaging capabilities that overlap iCampus work packages at portfolio level.
• IFM Electronic: German mid-market sensor and IIoT specialist serving industrial customers including SMEs. Comparable to iCampus's SME-focused transfer mission and to several of its work packages (position, gas, vibration and process sensors), but as a product company rather than a research consortium.
• ams OSRAM: Global sensor and optical solutions manufacturer covering NIR, gas, medical and environmental sensing. Comparable to iCampus as a downstream commercial absorber of micro-sensor IP, but operating at vastly larger scale and with proprietary product lines rather than cooperative R&D.

Direct peers

• CEA-Leti: French research institute for micro- and nano-technologies, part of CEA. Directly comparable to iCampus in developing MEMS, RF, imaging and sensor components from research to pilot production, with a similar multi-disciplinary work-package model and industry transfer mandate.
• imec: Independent R&D centre for nanoelectronics and digital technologies headquartered in Belgium. Highly comparable to iCampus as a publicly co-funded research hub developing semiconductor, sensor and microsystem technologies across a multi-partner consortium model, with spin-off and industry-transfer mechanisms analogous to iCampus's work-package structure.
• CSEM: Swiss research and technology organisation covering microsystems, nanotechnologies and AI-based sensing. Closely matches iCampus's combination of MEMS, optical, gas and imaging sensors, plus its publicly co-funded R&D-to-SME transfer model.
• Tyndall National Institute: Ireland's national ICT research institute with strengths in photonics, microsystems and semiconductor devices. Comparable to iCampus in mission scope (component-to-system sensor research with industry commercialisation pathways) though operating at a smaller geographic scale.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: State-owned applied research institute running microsensor, 5G/IoT and predictive-maintenance programmes with industry transfer to SMEs. Comparable to iCampus in mission (publicly funded, multi-disciplinary sensor R&D, regional industrial renewal).
• IHP GmbH – Leibniz-Institut für innovative Mikroelektronik: Already a core iCampus partner but also an independent peer organisation. Comparable as a publicly funded microelectronics R&D centre developing SiGe circuits, THz technologies and wireless sensor systems with its own industry-transfer activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icampus-cottbus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about iCampus