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Success stories in Berlin: Vincent Sabot (Sigfox) and Manfred Ostermeier (Botspot)

The Internet of Things at Sigfox, 3D printing at Botspot: the directors of these two companies, Vincent Sabot and Manfred Ostermeier, present their success stories.

By Cécile Balavoine Photos Ludovic Maisant -

Published on 23/11/2018

Vincent Sabot, CEO of Sigfox Germany

Germany is the biggest IoT market in Europe."

How did Internet of Things (IoT) specialist Sigfox come into being?

Vincent Sabot - Sigfox was born in 2010, near Toulouse, from the meeting between Ludovic Le Moan, a serial entrepreneur in the digital and IoT sectors, and Christophe Fourtet, inventor of Sigfox's Ultra Narrow Band technology. In just eight years, Sigfox has become the world leader in low-cost, low-energy consumption IoT networks, with three million connected objects, 400 employees, networks in 50 countries and an ecosystem of over 500 partners.

Why did you set up in Germany?

V. S. - In 2016, Sigfox launched its activities in Germany and many industrial customers such as Bosch, Siemens, BPW or Conrad now trust us for their IoT solutions.

What role does the Internet of Things play in Berlin?

V. S. - The IoT is already a real industry in Germany, with many industrial groups launching intelligent products or services based on data provided by the IoT. This trend is strong in southern Germany, but also in Berlin, Europe's start-up capital. Generally speaking, the ecosystem in Germany is highly decentralised, and our customers and partners are located all over the country.

What are Sigfox's short- and long-term objectives, particularly in Germany and internationally?

V. S. - Sigfox will reach 60 countries in 2018 for its global network. In 2019, we will also be setting up operations in China, India and Russia. Sigfox is currently the only global LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) IoT network. Germany is the largest industrial and logistics IoT market in Europe.

Manfred Ostermeier, Founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Botspot (www.botspot.de)

The future is in 3D

How was botspot created?

Manfred Ostermeier - In 2013, we launched botspot in Berlin as a 3D printing services company, starting by making action figures. Then we expanded and manufactured 3D scanners for industry. Our technology uses photogrammetry, which enables contactless, fast and totally secure scanning. This means that objects of different shapes and sizes can be scanned in 0.01 seconds and replicated ultra-precisely with the required colours and textures. We are the first in the world to have achieved such high printing speeds.

Berlin will soon have a campus dedicated to 3D. Is it important for you to have a presence there in order to expand?

MR O. - When it comes to innovation in 3D technology, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam are considered to be the leaders, but Berlin comes out on top. It's by focusing on the demands of our customers that we can find new solutions. We hope to expand further and open new offices soon.

Will 3D printing be able to solve everyday problems in the near future?

MR O. - The future is in 3D! With an ever-wider range of applications, from industrial manufacturing to health-related fields, for example.

Special report - Berlin: High-tech über alles

Economy: Berlin, less rebel, more high-tech
Success stories in Berlin: Vincent Sabot (Sigfox) and Manfred Ostermeier (Botspot)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport: chronicle of an airport foretold
Hotels: an alternative movement
Success Story: Philipp Vogel, Chef and Director of the Hotel Orania
The spirit of the place according to Slater Bradley
Berlin: address book

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