Avnet Silica Startup Network
At Avnet Silica, we believe that every great innovation starts with a bold idea and a trusted partner. That’s why we’ve created a dedicated initiative to support electronics startups on their journey from concept to market-ready product. Whether you're designing next-gen hardware, embedded systems, or breakthrough IoT solutions, we’re here to climb with you, step by step, as you reach new heights.
Are you ready to reach new heights with Avnet Silica? Here’s how we can help you rise to the challenge:
- Prototyping and Sample Support – We help you to get your prototype or pre-series running by providing samples and solutions.
- Bill of Material – We screen your BoM and help you find the best and cost-effective solution for your product. Get your offer now!
- Local Partnership and Technical Support – Use our technical expertise to implement your project and reduce time to market.
- Create and Extend a Network and a Successful Market Integration – Use our powerful connections across the electronics industry with confidence and insight. We help you to create a network wherever it’s needed.
- Local EMS Contact – From prototype to production, we help you to find the right manufacturer.
Our team is happy to assist you. Feel free to contact us.
- Hydronauten
- Belle Health
- CiX
- GasVisor
- HIVE Systems
- enna systems GmbH
Under the leadership of Dr. Johannes Büker, an expert with an extensive background in mechanical engineering and fluid technology, Hydronauten stands for technical excellence and innovative strength. Together with a highly qualified team, they are redesigning pump technology from scratch to continuously advance efficiency and sustainability in the industry.
They support operators of pump systems in increasing operational reliability and reducing energy consumption by up to 25% at the push of a button, without having to fear system failures, noise and uncertain costs.
Episode 68: Shush Money: How Hydronauten's Silent Pumps Save Millions in Energy Costs
In this episode, we conclude our special series on the Advanced Electronics Challenge with the winners themselves: Johannes Büker, CEO, and Paul Werner, CTO of Hydronauten GmbH. Their innovative solution addresses a significant hidden energy drain – pumps consume approximately 30% of the EU's electricity.
Hydronauten addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: reducing harmful vibrations that damage infrastructure and residents' quality of life while dramatically improving energy efficiency. Their "quiet hydro technology" applies noise-cancelling principles to pump systems, enabling 20-30% energy savings and opening new possibilities for grid stabilisation.
Johannes and Paul explain how their technology transforms existing pump installations into smart, efficient systems that can help stabilise renewable energy grids. The conversation reveals how pump-based grid stabilisation could have prevented recent power outages in Spain and Portugal and why this overlooked technology represents a crucial piece of the renewable energy puzzle.
Belle Health is a FemTech company specialising in women's healthcare. Founded by Rafael Schaider Bastos and Victoria Schoeffel, it offers comprehensive treatment options for conditions such as menopause, premenstrual pain, endometriosis, and PCOS, which affects over 9 million women in Germany alone, annually.
Their platform utilises scientifically validated medical interventions and integrates psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), along with symptom tracking and the collection of biological data throughout the menstrual cycle. This innovative approach combines psychological and biological insights to enable more personalised and effective treatments.
Episode 67: Cycle Breakers: How Belle Health's Smart Ring is Transforming Women's Health
In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge intersection of femtech and medical innovation with Victoria Schoeffel and Rafael Schaider from Belle Health, the second-place winners of the Advanced Electronics Challenge at Electronica 2025.
Belle Health tackles one of the most overlooked areas of healthcare: the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women's health. Their solution combines a therapy app with a smart ring to track physiological data, helping women understand and manage premenstrual symptoms, including the severe condition PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).
Victoria and Rafael discuss the shocking 12-year average diagnostic delay for PMDD, how their technology can reduce this to months, and why women's physiology remains an afterthought in both medicine and electronics development. They explain how their evidence-based approach brings together psychological interventions with real-time physiological monitoring.
Tune in to discover how this German startup is pioneering a data-driven approach to women's health that could transform diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for millions of women worldwide.
CiX Greentech, based in Erlangen, develops ready-to-use water purification modules, including control systems, to eliminate microcontaminants (such as pharmaceutical residues, hormones, bacteria, and viruses) and PFAS (perfluorinated alkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals") using electricity.
Organic contaminants are constantly introduced into our water systems through industrial processes, healthcare facilities and households. CiX founders Rudolf Borchardt, Benjamin Seemann and Timo Fromm are fighting this by offering innovative and sustainable approach to solving the growing problem of water pollution caused by organic contaminants, including the notorious PFAS. Their cutting-edge technology is designed to efficiently remove even low concentrations of contaminants at the source, using advanced diamond electrode systems that break down contaminants rather than simply concentrating them or capturing them for further treatment.
Episode 66: Diamonds are forever, PFAS not: How CiX Greentech purifies water
In this episode, we explore the future of water purification with Timo Fromm and Rudolf Borchardt from CiX Greentech, a German startup tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
CiX has developed a smart, ready-to-use purification module that uses diamond electrodes and electricity to eliminate micropollutants such as pharmaceutical residues, hormones, bacteria, viruses – and persistent chemicals like PFAS.
Timo and Rudolf discuss their journey from nanotechnology research to winning third place in the Advanced Electronics Challenge at embedded world 2025. We discuss the science behind their solution, potential industrial applications, and how their technology helps protect water systems and public health.
Tune in to learn how deep tech and hardware innovation can drive real impact – one drop at a time.
GasVisor, a Munich-based start-up, is developing an IoT device for digital CO₂ measurement and asset tracking to optimize container management, reduce costs, and streamline administration. Their all-in-one solution also automates responses to gas leaks and enables consumption-based reordering — boosting efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the supply chain.
Episode 53: Revolutionizing Gas Cylinder Management
This week, we have the co-founders of GasVisor, a cutting-edge IoT solution for managing CO₂ gas cylinders, on the show. They want to revolutionise the gas industry with their real-time monitoring and automated reordering system and promote sustainability and safety.
Join us as we explore their entrepreneurial journey, their diverse international team, and their commitment to a greener future.
HIVE Systems from Nuremberg offers a comprehensive range of technology and services for the operation of autonomously operating drones. The focus of the system as well as the company is the production, operation and distribution of the drone hangar "HIVE" as well as continuous further development of the software for controlling the drones and individual, simple adaptation of the missions to customer needs.
enna systems GmbH from Munich offers the gateway to the digital world for people who struggle with using smartphones, tablets, and similar devices. Thanks to a unique, ultra-accessible user interface, enna enables people with limitations, illnesses, or those new to digital technology to independently access the benefits of the digital world. enna combines hardware, two apps, and an integrated digital ecosystem full of engaging content and services.