Zurich — Neural Concept, the Swiss software company in the field of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Engineering (CAE), is pleased to announce new milestones in the company’s development. At the beginning of the year, the existing investors, Constantia New Business and High-Tech Gründerfonds, support the next growth phase with seed extension financing. Both investors already led the seed round 18 months ago. With the fresh capital, Neural Concept can accelerate and realize its mission — to bring the enormous potential of Deep Learning into the hands of design engineers for real-time simulation and interactive design optimization.
Parallel to the financing round, a new advisory board was established to complement the existing board of directors. The two new advisory board members, Evrard Van Zuylen and Roberto Schettler, bring extensive experience in founding, growing and managing successful B2B software companies in the areas of machine learning and design engineering.
Pierre Baqué, founder and CEO of Neural Concept: “I am delighted to advise Neural Concept on its future growth. The company’s disruptive deep learning algorithms will set the new standard in the simulation industry
Evrard Van Zuylen, Neural Concept Advisory Board: “Neural Concept has founded a new world of simulation. Deep Learning will not only speed up simulations and democratize them in all areas of design and development. I am convinced that this will finally enable iterative design of better products at low cost. Rather than seeing this as a mere vision of the future, companies can make it a reality today with Neural Concept’s software products.”
About Evrard Van Zuylen
Evrard van Zuylen is co-founder (2006) and managing director of darts-ip, world’s leading AI-based data provider for IP litigation until its acquisition by Clarivate plc. Founder (2000) and CTO of Transwide, now part of Alpega N.V. Previously, he worked at BCG and IBM.Evrard holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from l’Ecole Polytechnique de Louvain and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
About Roberto Schettler
Roberto was CEO of Realtime Technology (RTT), a leading 3D software and services company for the automotive and aerospace sectors. Under his leadership, he grew the company to nearly 1,000 employees before RTT was acquired by Dassault Systems in 2014. He subsequently also served as CEO of the rebranded company 3DExcite. Previously, he co-founded CoreOptics, which was later acquired by Cisco Inc. was purchased, and worked as a consultant at ThinkTeam as well as BCG. Here, he helps technology companies in both Europe and the U.S. grow to new levels.
About Constantia New Business (CNB Capital)
CNB Capital is an independent early-stage investor focused on B2B product companies that have achieved initial market validation. An experienced team of investment managers actively supports founders in functional areas, especially sales and marketing. The evergreen investment approach supports the long-term orientation of CNB’s strategy in building substantial businesses together.
About High-Tech Gründerfonds
The seed investor High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) finances technology start-ups with growth potential. With a volume of around EUR 900 million spread across three funds and an international partner network, HTGF has supported more than 600 start-ups since 2005. His team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts supports the young companies with know-how, entrepreneurial spirit and passion. The focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. Almost EUR 3 billion in capital has been invested in the HTGF portfolio by external investors in more than 1,700 follow-on financing rounds to date. In addition, the fund has already successfully sold shares in more than 120 companies.Investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, KfW Capital, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the 32 companies.