The idea
Want to efficiently manage production orders while keeping track of everything? This is no easy feat in industrial applications, where countless data streams—ranging from order details and material information to machine parameters—converge every day.
While many companies already rely on systems that process, display, and integrate data—such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or MES (Manufacturing Execution System)—these systems do not generate actionable recommendations. In practice, operators at the machine still often have to piece together the data they need from multiple data silos. While this task is easy for experienced staff, it poses a major challenge for newly trained workers—and there are many of them in this industry, which has a high turnover rate.
"There must be a better way," thought Tom Röger. The experienced engineer developed an AI-driven solution that not only connects all existing systems within the company but also controls the machines autonomously.
“We tap into existing infrastructure and supplement it with our software, which intelligently connects a wide variety of data sources—not just ERP and MES systems, but also, for example, Excel spreadsheets, machine data, and expert knowledge,” he explains. “Our system, the AIES (Artificial Intelligence Execution System), then issues a recommendation for action, similar to an assistant system that is retrained through user feedback until it can eventually perform certain tasks on its own.”.
The system provides actionable recommendations and automates control processes
This means that as soon as an order is received, the data is automatically imported and forwarded to the machines. Manual adjustments—particularly tedious clicking and searching—are thus completely eliminated, freeing up more time for other tasks both in the engineering of machines and systems and during their operation.
The founding team has thus succeeded in creating a seamless integration of production and administration—a feat rarely achieved in the industry to date—thanks in part to their diverse expertise. “I spent years programming machines and held management positions at several companies in the industry,” says Tom Röger. “At the same time, I—and Maike even more so—was always familiar with administrative processes, so I’ve always been particularly driven by the goal of achieving better coordination between the two units.”
With our AIES (Artificial Intelligence Execution System), we’re bringing industrial companies into the AI era and creating real value.
The founding team
Tom Röger
Tom is the founder and managing director of REVAMP CDI GmbH. After completing an apprenticeship as a technical systems planner, he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering, with a focus on automation technology. He has held leadership roles as a division, department, and team manager across various industries—ranging from electrical design and software development to digitalization and artificial intelligence. At the same time, he has always been closely involved in practical applications as a project manager and programmer for machines, equipment, and modern AI systems. In addition to his professional work, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in AI control systems and completing an MBA in Digital Leadership.
Maike Bannert
is co-founder and oversees business operations at REVAMP CDI GmbH. After completing an apprenticeship as a legal assistant, she earned a master’s degree in financial management and a bachelor’s degree in international business administration with a focus on finance. Over the course of several years, she gained experience in financial controlling across various industries, developing a strong understanding of financial management and analysis.
Our goal in three words: Technology of the future
Our biggest success so far: Acquiring our first customers
Our biggest setback: Lengthy sales processes
What surprised us most on our journey to founding the company: Extremely positive feedback on our product and our company, and the resulting support
Our advice for future founders: Take action, persevere, and adapt
What drives us: Optimizing processes and solving highly complex problems
Essential in our day-to-day startup life: Staying calm even during stressful times and not losing sight of the fun; celebrating both successes and setbacks
A boost from the regional startup ecosystem
The regional startup ecosystem provided the decisive boost for Tom Röger's idea: Founders Space and the startup advisory services at HNU, the startup campus at Aalen University, and, as the crowning achievement, initial funding through the “Start-up BW Pre-Seed” support program, which was made possible by the significant support of TFU, the startup and innovation center for the Ulm/Neu-Ulm region.
REVAMP CDI GmbH was officially founded in October 2025; projects with the first clients are currently underway. “Originally, I had planned to start the company part-time, sort of ‘on the side,’” says Tom Röger. “But thanks to startup support at the universities and pre-seed funding, we were able to dive in much deeper and faster and are now able to dedicate ourselves to the whole thing full-time.” Thanks to this support, the first employee is already on board.
Our first conversation jumped right into deep tech—no warm-up needed. Even though I didn’t fully grasp the idea at first, Tom immediately won me over with his energy. It quickly became clear that, thanks to his vast experience, he knows exactly what he’s talking about. To quickly unlock this potential, we needed a clear accelerator. Startup BW PreSeed was the logical next step.
Michael brought us together, and it was immediately clear: this is “pre-seed material”! With the next round of applications coming up soon, we hit the ground running. Hats off to Tom, Maike, and Sinan—they all pitched in and rose to the challenge. And it all worked out in the end. All it takes is the right spirit, and this team has it.
Start-up BW Pre-Seed is an early-stage funding program run by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism in collaboration with L-Bank, designed to provide targeted support to young, innovative companies in the very early stages of their founding. The program is aimed at startups with innovative and scalable business models and bridges a typical funding gap in the pre-seed phase, when the company’s own funds are often exhausted and private investors are still hesitant. The goal of Start-up BW Pre-Seed is to provide young companies with the financial flexibility they need to further develop their business ideas, reach market readiness, and become attractive to additional investors. Applications are submitted exclusively through designated support partners, such as TFU, who make the selection and present suitable startups to a jury. The mentoring partners support the startup throughout the entire project duration—which ranges from two to five years—by offering advice, practical assistance, access to networks, and a great deal of passion.
Entrepreneurship and Responsibility: What Drives the Founding Team
Shaping and building a company based on their own values, and managing it according to their personal vision—this is something Tom Röger and Maike Bannert hold in high regard. For them, one key goal is to strengthen Germany as a business location. “Especially given that so much is being outsourced abroad in the current economic climate, it’s important to keep the industry here,” emphasizes Tom Röger. “Our product is an optimization solution that helps us drive the machinery and plant engineering industry, as well as the manufacturing sector, forward both nationally and internationally.” They also find meaning in the company’s management itself, where a high level of professionalism is just as essential as enjoying one’s work. “It’s important to us to foster a sense of teamwork and unity that endures even when things get tough,” explains Maike Bannert.
A sense of unity and teamwork is important to us, and we want it to endure even in difficult times.
Networking and Growth
But the dedicated founding duo isn’t afraid of challenges, even though it always takes a bit of courage to leave a traditional 9-to-5 job. Quite the opposite: both are looking forward to their new responsibilities. Still, the two minds behind REVAMP CDI caution that the process of starting a business shouldn’t be underestimated. “Starting a business in this country isn’t exactly easy, of course—it involves a lot of hard work,” says Tom Röger. “I was lucky enough to have good connections. If you don’t have those, the bureaucratic marathon can be nerve-wracking.” His advice to anyone considering starting a startup is therefore: Seek support early on, get advice, and build a strong network. Even if you can’t use a contact directly, a large network always pays off—both in the professional world and when starting a business.
Tom Röger and Maike Bannert have clear goals in mind for the coming months: customer acquisition and growth—both externally and internally. “This means we’ve helped more companies stay competitive with our solution and made a name for ourselves in the market,” says Tom Röger.
Our tips for entrepreneurs: Seek support early on, get advice, and build a strong network.
