What challenge or problem are you trying to solve with your idea/startup?

"In Akson Robotics, with robotic technology and artificial intelligence, we can locate green weeds even in green clover fields that are grown for cattle feed. With drone images, weeds are mapped on a per-plant level, so that a spray map can be generated that is compatible with the market's GPS-controlled field sprayers. It enables precision spraying, which reduces the use of pesticides for the benefit of the environment and saves the farmer money. For organic farmers, the map serves as decision support around manual weeding.” Albert Sonne Olesen, Co-founder, Akson Robotics.

What does the AAU Startup Grant mean for your startup's development right now?

“The AAU Startup Grant means a lot. It has covered the purchase of a commercial drone and is thus directly contributing to us being able to get our product on the market. Through cooperation with agricultural and plant breeding consultants who are impartial sparring partners for agriculture, during the development of the solution we have tested it with farmers who want to be greener and save money at the same time. With large parts of our go-to-market strategy funded, we can now focus on the customers and scaling the company”. Albert Sonne Olesen, Co-founder, Akson Robotics

What made you apply for the AAU Startup Program/ seek out entrepreneurship as graduates? (including the role of the education/supervisor)

"Benedek, Emil and I met at Aalborg University, where we all studied robotics. We often joked with each other about ideas for companies. Therefore, we seized the opportunity to follow an entrepreneurial semester project track in the last year of the Master's programme. On the course we learned, among other things, methods to find one's market and pitched our idea of ​​weed localization for e.g. agricultural consultants and farmers. Their interest was so great that we continued to work on the project in our thesis project and developed a prototype.

Our teacher on the entrepreneur course, Frank Geertsen, referred us to the AAU Startup Program, where we were admitted to a fast-track course. Here we kick-started our network and business mindset and received guidance on funding opportunities, so that we are now participating in an accelerator program for entrepreneurs. I think it's great that our thesis project wasn't just put in the drawer". Albert Sonne Olesen, Co-founder, Akson Robotics.