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#Research & Development

ITA spin-off Solid Air (SA) Dynamics reaches the semi-finals of the Rice Business Plan Competition

Maximilian Mohr and Joanna Benedetti Pirri of SA Dynamics are delighted that SA Dynamics has been nominated as a semi-finalist © Joanna Benedetti Pirri
The ITA spin-off SA Dynamics has been nominated for the semi-finals of this year’s Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC), one of the world’s most prestigious start-up competitions, held at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Out of 550 applications from around the world, only 42 teams were accepted to take part in the competition. SA Dynamics impressed the judges with its technology and business model, reaching the semi-finals as one of the top 15 teams.

The RBPC also offered SA Dynamics the opportunity to engage closely with leading international coaches and investors. The insights gained and networks established will strengthen the company’s future development in the long term.

“Making it into the top 15 out of 550 applications and 42 teams at the RBPC is a testament to everything we work towards every day. We are incredibly proud of our team and grateful for every conversation, every challenge and every new connection we made in Houston.”— SA Dynamics Team

“We warmly congratulate SA Dynamics on its outstanding achievement,” emphasises Professor Dr Thomas Gries, Director of ITA. “This excellent result impressively underscores the high quality of our research and teaching at the ITA. We look forward to continuing to support SA Dynamics on its journey.”

Solid Air Dynamics develops bio-based and recyclable high-performance fibres for aerogel-based thermal insulation, thereby driving the transition towards more powerful and sustainable materials, and was the winner of the KUER business plan competition.NRW 2023, won the Techtextil Innovation Award 2024 and runner-up in the RWTH Innovation Award in 2026.



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