As a passionate inventor and technology enthusiast, Sowmya Thyagarajan enjoys fostering the top environment for next-generation technology and innovation. She is concentrating on developing hybrid goods as the CEO of Foviatech as the transportation and healthcare industries change.
A German deep-tech startup called Foviatech is dedicated to developing efficient digitalization, automation, and smart solutions, with an emphasis on AI and 2D material technologies.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Sowmya Thyagarajan:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
The answer to the question ‘who am I and what is my life purpose?’ led me to my entrepreneurial journey. Curiosity “Why, how, what’ is a major driving factor influencing my actions in my day-to-day life. The unknown and an appetite to gather vast knowledge are what define me as a person. Sometimes, I struggle to differentiate between official and personal space when dealing with day-to-day intense crisis management due to the overall global scenario affecting businesses. I consider myself to be efficient at multi-tasking, a very important contributing factor to a woman who looks forward to maintaining a work-life balance. Apart from my journey, I mentor other young entrepreneurs on innovative ideas and scalable business models. I also lead a woman’s empowerment focused NGO platform, a WICCI/Germany-India bilateral to ensure those without a voice can be heard.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company? Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
“Not by design but by destiny” is how I think my journey to Hamburg was set and the initiating of my digital startup, Foviatech. Despite having several opportunities from other countries, Hamburg has always been attractive due to its international and industrial environment. Hailing from the second most populated country in the world, I look forward to utilizing intelligent technologies to solve real-world problems. ‘AI4good’ focuses on building better communities and contributing to the development of future generations. I had an unexplainable urge to implement ideas in the real world and contribute to the new industrial age. My internship in Hamburg and visitation of the Airbus Final Assembly Line sparked my interest and laid the foundation for forming my startup. Industry 4.0 and digitalisation have been revolutionary processes all around the world. During my Ph.D., my focus on project DEMETER within H2020 provided me with ideas and the necessary knowledge on various existing and future technologies, laying the groundwork for automation and digitalization.
My work on composite repairs and maintenance led to my knowledge of process optimization and MRO (Maintenance Repair Overhaul) in general. Therefore, the roots of passion and love for intelligent systems grew deeper and deeper by interacting with various industry experts from the aviation industry. Since the beginning of my academic career, I have always looked into the potential of nanotechnology and alternative materials, especially graphene and its properties. Despite having a background in aviation, the implementation of other technologies for aviation as well as those applicable to cross-industry applications has always piqued my interest and ambitions.As a result, I recognized my path and devised a strategy to establish a hybrid business model that would introduce quick go-to-market using software products, implement AI in day-to-day MRO and production processes, and develop hardware products through R&D.Hence, developing potential ideas by utilizing technologies for the aviation industry but also laying a strategy to utilize the solutions for cross-industrial applications that in turn benefit Germany’s industrial environment. Currently, Foviatech is growing and has started its expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe-Middle East Asia (EMEA), and the American defense market. We have initiated our Series A funding round of 10 million euros and hope to expand our market reach by implementing high-tech products serving cross-industrial applications.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
I highly value brutal honesty and transparency, which are directly related to the trust and confidence of the customers and people you work with. My intuition ensures it shows me the purpose in my day-to-day life, leading to better achievement of my goals.
“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievements.” – W. Clement Stone.
Every day is a struggle, but every second is invaluable. As a result, I will make every effort to maximize my limited resources and achieve success alongside my highly motivated and hardworking team.
Which are the major services of the company and how do the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
The Hybrid Product/Hybroducts strategy is a key unique selling proposition and stands as the backbone of innovation in the company. Self-interactive intelligent machines/products have been a key factor in determining customer satisfaction and making life easier. AI and 2D materials are the key technologies chosen to bridge the gap in transforming products from user-dependent to self-interactive. One unique AI-based 2D material platform with several self-reliant applications, including flexible sensors, flexible batteries, and flexible displays.
Foviatech designed an AI based sensor application targeting seating systems targeting transportation (automotive, two-wheelers, e-bikes, aviation, defense, and space) as well as the health care industry. The smart seating interface is a system that automatically adapts to the sitting postures of a user, enabling seat base and backrest to be self-adjust in a flexible and exact fashion depending on the user’s posture, enabled through a nano airbag. The system enables the sensor where graphene technology is printed layer by layer to accumulate biometric data like temperature and humidity aspects of the users.
Value addition
- One sensor’s stacked interface solves 3 main problems or provides 3 main USP’s.
- Customers don’t have to fit separate sensors for separate data collection.
- Our sensors are light weight, which is possible due to the properties of graphene. As a result of the high pressure atmosphere, aviation and defense are highly efficient.We are the first company to introduce graphene sensors to high-pressure atmospheric industries.
- Our AI algorithms and the interface between the sensor and the nano airbag mechanism are novel and not existing in the current market and customisable for any application, including e-bikes.
Other services
Foviatech‘s copyrighted software “FOVIAR” is an Artificial Intelligence based digital twin platform used in the transportation industry targeting production, assembly/final assembly, and MRO(Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul operations).
Give us your opinion on; do organisations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
As the saying goes, “A Lone tree doesn’t become a forest”. An individualistic person might have professional traits to run a company successfully. But to ensure your company’s eternity team work would be the best course of action.
“If you wanna go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go together”
What are your responsibilities as the Founder/CEO/President of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine? What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Leadership, in my opinion, is all about the dedication and undivided attention you devote to your vision while also focusing on various technical and self-development projects with your team. As leaders, we tend to be open-minded to attract opportunities as well as trained to turn a crisis into an opportunity. Therefore, transforming crisis into opportunity is a key strength, especially in the current uncertain global scenario.
In my view, everyone is born with unique instincts and intuition, and if you can find a way to tap into it, then one would do wonders with their leadership position.
