Start-up Collectu develops AI-driven data automation

They studied and completed their doctorates at the University of Stuttgart, and today they are a well-established founding duo: Dr. Colin Reiff and Dr. Frederik Wulle are now launching their start-up Collectu. With its open no-code data engine, the start-up Collectu enables companies to build and automate data pipelines efficiently - without writing a single line of code.

The concept was born in 2020 the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW) within the framework of the InnovationCampus Future Mobility (ICM). There, Reiff and Wulle worked on automation projects and on applying cutting-edge technologies in real-world industrial contexts. The idea of launching a company based on their research evolved gradually—accelerated through collaborations with external industry partners. The journey from research idea to market-ready product was significantly supported by participation in the ICM InnovationChallenge. In October 2025, Collectu was officially founded, supported by an EXIST start-up grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Collectu positions itself as a foundation for data-driven innovation in industrial environments. Its AI-powered assistant allows companies to describe and manage complex data pipelines using natural language withno coding required. By connecting production and machine data with IT systems and adding contextual intelligence, raw data is transformed into actionable insights.This gives companies real-time visibility into their operations and allows them to trigger immediate actions based on the data. Collectu opens a straightforward path to digital automation, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The start-up is currently in the scaling phase. The team is continuously expanding its functionalities, particularly with regard to the use of autonomous AI agents, optimizing the user experience, and expanding the user base. Over the next twelve months, the focus will be on accessing new industries, establishing further partnerships, and aligning the product even more closely with customer needs. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for companies to access intelligent data processing and thus actively advance the digital transformation on the way to the smart factory,” says Frederik Wulle.

A key milestone for Collectu was the project “IC6 SELF” as part of the InnovationChallenge, organized by the ICM and funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Württemberg. This program connects specific industry challenges with research ideas from universities and enables quick funding decisions for projects lasting up to 18 months.

For Collectu, the program offered a crucial opportunity to test prototypes in real-world environments and build valuable partnerships early on. "The InnovationChallenge was a key catalyst for refining our concept and gathering invaluable user feedback early on," says Colin Reiff.

Collectu benefited from close collaboration with several partners. The ISW and the Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW) contributed scientific expertise, while LightPulse GmbH, as an industry partner, ensured real-world applicability. This combination enabled the team to develop and validate its technical concepts at a high level—while continuously testing market readiness in industrial settings.