Plug and Play and University of Stuttgart explore AI Center of Excellence

Plug and Play, the world's largest innovation platform, and the University of Stuttgart signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to jointly explore the establishment of an AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) in Stuttgart.

The proposed AI Center of Excellence will build on Stuttgart's academic excellence, research capabilities, and entrepreneurial ecosystem while leveraging Plug and Play's global innovation platform to accelerate the commercialization of AI technologies. Building on their successful collaboration within the STARTUP AUTOBAHN innovation platform, initial focus areas include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, architecture and smart buildings and deep tech innovation to fast-track digital engineering and production technologies into the real world.

The initiative follows Plug and Play's successful launch of multiple AI Centers of Excellence across the United States, including collaborations with San José State University, the University of Washington and more. These centers bring together universities, startups, corporations, investors, and public institutions to solve industry-specific challenges and accelerate AI adoption.

The Letter of Intent was signed by Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play, and Prof. Dr. Peter Middendorf, Rector of the University of Stuttgart, during Plug and Play's flagship event, STARTUP AUTOBAHN Expo 2026. The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating AI innovation by strengthening cooperation between academia and industry.

The signing carries special significance as the University of Stuttgart has been a founding partner of STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play since its launch in 2016. Founded by Mercedes-Benz, Plug and Play, the University of Stuttgart, and ARENA2036, the mobility-focused open innovation platform celebrated its 10th anniversary at the STARTUP AUTOBAHN Expo 2026, marking a decade of accelerating collaboration among startups, corporates, academia, and industry.

Germany—and particularly the Stuttgart region—offers an exceptional environment for such an initiative, combining world-leading industrial companies, internationally recognized research institutions, and outstanding engineering talent. Together, Plug and Play and the University of Stuttgart aim to explore how an AI Center of Excellence could strengthen the region's position as a global hub for AI innovation.

Over the next 90 days, both organizations will conduct a series of exploratory workshops involving academic, technical, strategic, and operational teams. These discussions will define thematic priorities, identify potential industry partners, evaluate engagement models, assess possible locations, and determine the scope and feasibility of the proposed AI Center of Excellence.

By combining world-class research with one of the world's largest innovation platforms, Plug and Play and the University of Stuttgart aim to create an ecosystem that transforms promising AI research into scalable industrial solutions with global impact.

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, it is present in 60+ locations across 25+ industries. It offers corporate innovation programs, helping our partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also run startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit Plug and Play.

The University of Stuttgart is a leading German university for engineering and technology, distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to research, innovation and knowledge transfer. Through its "Stuttgart Way", the University connects fundamental research with industrial application, fostering close collaboration with global companies, SMEs, startups and public partners. Located at the heart of one of Europe's strongest innovation ecosystems, it plays a key role in advancing deep-tech innovation, entrepreneurship and the translation of scientific excellence into economic and societal impact.