Partner-News
February 28, 2025
Strategic partnership: FLEXOO and Tekscan drive sensor technology forward
A year ago, the iL spin-off FLEXOO GmbH presented itself for the first time at LOPEC 2024, the leading trade fair for printed electronics. Now, exactly one year later, the Heidelberg-based company is setting the next milestone on the same stage: a strategic partnership with Tekscan, the US market leader for tactile sensor technology.
The collaboration was officially announced at LOPEC 2025 in Munich - an event that was celebrated in true Bavarian style at the FLEXOO stand with a reception. Beer, pretzels and concentrated innovation: a fitting setting for this pioneering cooperation.
Why is this partnership so important?
FLEXOO, a specialist in smart sensors and series production of printed electronics, and Tekscan, a leading provider of tactile pressure sensor solutions from Norwood (Massachusetts, USA), are pooling their expertise to open up new fields of application. The aim is to develop innovative and highly scalable solutions in the energy, automotive and electronics sectors in particular.
Dr. Michael Kröger, Managing Director of InnovationLab and FLEXOO, emphasizes the importance of this partnership: "For decades, engineers worldwide have relied on Tekscan as the first port of call for tactile sensor technology. At FLEXOO, we are pushing the boundaries of flexible sensor technology. This partnership is an exciting step forward: by integrating FLEXOO technology with Tekscan's proven test and measurement solutions, we are expanding the range of sensing capabilities for our customers - all through the familiar and proven interfaces."
Shake hands: John Jutila (l.), CEO of Tekscan, and Dr. Michael Kröger (r.), Managing Director of InnovationLab and FLEXOO, sealing the partnership in Norwood, southwest of Boston. Picture: FLEXOO
But the cooperation goes even further: customers who test first are given a direct path to product integration with greater scalability and efficiency - a decisive advantage for industrial use. Made possible by the excellent conditions for technology transfer at the InnovationLab.
Significance for iL, startups and partners
As an incubator, InnovationLab (iL) has accompanied FLEXOO on its path to scaling - and this partnership demonstrates the added value that start-ups based at iL can bring to the industry. The cooperation with Tekscan proves that InnovationLab gives rise to companies that attract international partners and conquer global markets.
Start-ups and partners can learn from this example:
Scalability and market access: The combination of FLEXOO's flexible sensor technology and Tekscan's market presence opens up new opportunities for industrial series production.
Faster time to market: Start-ups that grow in the iL ecosystem have early access to technologies, testing facilities and industrial networks.
International expansion: Cooperation with global partners such as Tekscan shows how European deep-tech innovations can convince international market leaders.
Very good response at the FLEXOO stand: technology experts from Germany and abroad engaged in intensive discussions at LOPEC 2025. The iL spin-off was represented in Hall BO this year. Image: FLEXOO
Tekscan CEO: Partnerships are the key to the future
Tekscan also emphasizes the potential of the partnership. John Jutila, CEO of Tekscan, emphasizes: "Partnerships like this are essential to move the sensor industry forward. By combining our extensive expertise in pressure sensor technology with FLEXOO's capabilities, we can offer our customers solutions that are not only innovative, but also practical, scalable and ready for mass production."
This strategic alliance shows once again that printed electronics is not only a driver of innovation, but also paves the way for more efficient, sustainable and powerful solutions in many industries.
Great response at the FLEXOO stand
The response was great - Rob Podoloff, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Tekscan, also visited the FLEXOO stand to see the new solutions for himself. Together with Michael Kröger, he officially announced the partnership - exactly one year after FLEXOO's first appearance at the same location.
Conclusion: Further proof of the potential of InnovationLab!
Diese Partnerschaft ist nicht nur ein Erfolg für FLEXOO, sondern auch ein starkes Signal für das Ökosystem von InnovationLab und f ür alle, die in Innovation investieren. FLEXOO ist ein Vorzeigebeispiel dafür, wie aus einer iL‒Ausgründung ein internationaler Player wird.
Convinced of new solutions on site at LOPEC: Rob Podoloff, CTO of Tekscan, here in dialog with Managing Director Michael Kröger. Image: ProFlextronics
The FLEXOO team in Munich: Dr. Florian Ullrich (from left), Dr. Jean-Nicolas Tisserant, Managing Director Dr. Janusz Schinke, Sonja Mayer, Dominik Stasiak and Lars Keiz. Picture: FLEXOO
Joachim Klaehn
Head of Communications
This website is not part of the Facebook website or Facebook Inc. Furthermore, this website is in no way endorsed by Facebook. Facebook is a brand of Facebook, Inc. We use Google remarketing pixels/cookies on this website to re-communicate with visitors to our website and ensure that we can reach them with relevant messages and information in the future. Google places our ads on third party websites on the internet to communicate our message and reach the right people who have shown interest in our information in the past.