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The passion for modular process automation that unites all SEMODIA team members is not coincidental. The founders Henry Bloch, Jan Funke, Stephan Hensel and Anna Menschner of this technology company from Radebeul are former researchers who have dedicated their research to automation technology and standardisation of the Module Type Package (MTP).
SEMODIA is therefore represented in all relevant committees dealing with standardisation of the Module Type Package (MTP) in the User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries (NAMUR), the German Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI), the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) and the Association of German Engineers (VDI). Rightly so.
Because as part of this work SEMODIA has identified a gap in the market that the team is now closing with the appropriate self-developed tools. We are thus taking the process industry to the next level – with greater efficiency and at the same time less resource consumption.
Sounds too good to be true? We make it possible.
What sets us apart
Absolute MTP expertise
SEMODIA is involved in shaping the MTP standards, so we are always up to date in technical development and one step ahead of every other company.
Our customer-centric focus
From first contact, SEMODIA supports all its customers through the entire process of MTP adaptation and beyond. We therefore ensure that we respond to their problems and wishes as sustainably and cost-effectively as possible, depending on the resources available.
Join our team now!
Pioneering concepts
SEMODIA offers a generalist, easy-to-adapt solution that will stimulate competition in the process industry, save costs and effort, and simultaneously facilitate more sustainable management.
Always within reach
SEMODIA is 100% made in Germany, with support and consultants that know your industry and speak your language. The SEMODIA team maintains particularly close customer contact to achieve an optimal result and generate the necessary trust in mutual cooperation.
Maximum market orientation
SEMODIA develops on behalf of the modular equipment market and doesn’t bypass it, because requirements, problems, needs and feedback from operators and manufacturers are crucial to the further development of our products.
Always well connected
SEMODIA is your point of contact for latest and reliable insights into the market and your networker for interesting projects and industry partners.
Our team
Anton Brock
Software developer
Anton is a computer science alumni of the TU and supports the SEMODIA team with his excellent skills wherever possible – especially in the development and implementation of C/C++ software libraries for use under real-time conditions. In addition, he is significantly involved in the further development of existing components and their optimization. With his fresh knowledge from university and his passion for technology, he enriches the team and contributes to the continuous improvement of our solutions.
Hao Cui
Working student in the frontend area
Hao studies media technology at the TU Ilmenau. With his know-how in the design and implementation of graphic systems, he is an indispensable member of our team. After he could already shine during his internship time with us, we are very happy to have him continue as a working student in our ranks.
John Erkelens
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
John Erkelens has over 30 years of international experience in management positions in consulting and sales. He has worked as Sales & Managing Director for international groups selling technical products globally in various sectors such as industry, energy, petrochemicals and EPC contracting. He maintains close relationships at C-level and is an experienced specialist in management, international growth and sales strategies.
As CCO at Semodia, John is currently responsible for building up sales and developing the partner program.
Dipl.-Ing. Jan Funke
Senior software developer and co-founder
Jan is also a founding member of SEMODIA and therefore of course also has a university degree as well as a past as a committed research associate. He graduated in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in “Automation technology”. He has also gained extensive knowledge of information modelling and software development, which is why he is now – appropriately – responsible for software development and quality assurance in the SEMODIA team. Nothing escapes his eagle eye!
Fares Gabaret
Working student in business development and project management
Fares is a student of business administration at the HTW Dresden and works as a student trainee in the area of business development and project management at SEMODIA. With great enthusiasm he supports the management in operational sales and is actively involved in research and customer projects. His commitment is demonstrated not least by his assistance in the preparation of applications for research projects. He also has an eye for detail when it comes to creating and editing sales and marketing documents.
Lisa Gehring, M.Sc.
Project manager
After graduating from the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Lisa worked for five years in various engineering companies in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Motivated by the search for new challenges and her drive for technological innovation, Lisa decided to join Semodia. At Semodia, Lisa is responsible for managing customer and research projects.
Lukas Grahl, M.Sc.
Project manager
During his studies, chemical engineer Lukas specialised in “Simulation and downstream processes” and, in his free subjective expression phase as a research associate at the Technical University of Dortmund, he delved even deeper into modular automation for downstream units at a laboratory and technical center scale. His professional deep dives make him an ideally equipped member of the SEMODIA team in supporting customers and research projects.
Georg Graßnick, M.Sc.
Software architect / developer for embedded systems
Georg is a former Computer Science student at the (local) TU Dresden and dedicates his outstanding skills to supporting the SEMODIA team in all sorts of ways – especially in the development and implementation of C/C++ software libraries for use under real-time conditions as well as in the further development and improvement of existing components.
David Hahlweg, M.Sc.
Backend software developer
During his time at the German Aerospace Center and at Carl Zeiss SMT, David, a Physics alumni and the man dealing with further development of the C# libraries at SEMODIA, developed software for data processing and control. Back then he was in particular responsible for the development of image processing algorithms in C++ and Matlab, and wrote outstanding integration tests in C#.
Dr.-Ing. Stephan Hensel
Managing director and co-founder
Allow us to introduce Stephan as another founding member, who – like co-founder Anna – is also a former research associate at TU Dresden. Stephan holds a university degree in Information Systems Technology with a specialisation in “Technical computer science” and “Automation technology”, which he has further enhanced with a lot of know-how about information modelling and the development of innovative technology solutions with a focus on the “modular process industry”. As a technology aficionado, Stephan is of course responsible for technology development at SEMODIA!
Mateusz Kowsz, M.Sc.
Controlling
Mateusz holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus and brings valuable professional experience from his positions at Joynext and InfraTec GmbH. At SEMODIA, he is responsible for controlling research projects and accounting and ensures that our financial processes run efficiently and reliably.
Paula Kühn
Dual Study Business Administration-Industry
Paula Kühn is completing a dual study program in business administration-industry at SEMODIA. As an extremely dedicated employee, she supports the operational business and office administration with great commitment. Paula is actively involved in various projects and makes a valuable contribution to the accounting department. In addition, she prepares meaningful key figures and reports to provide the company with important information.
Dipl.-Ing. Anna Menschner
Managing director and co-founder
Anna, by nature also a founding member of SEMODIA, is a true jack of all trades in charge of business development, project management and customer care. Her university degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in “Automation technology” and her experience as a research associate at TU Dresden resulted in her contributing to SEMODIA a concentrated wealth of knowledge about modular automation associated with process engineering, from which our team members still draw today!
Nancy Pierschel
Assistance to the management
As assistant to the management, Nancy Pierschel supports the operational business at SEMODIA. With her strong accounting expertise, she accurately monitors incoming and outgoing payments in collaboration with the tax office. Nancy is a valuable asset in the sales department and prepares detailed key figures and reporting. Thanks to her organizational skills, she ensures smooth coordination of the staff and contributes significantly to the success of the company.
Sebastian Schmutzler
Student Economics TU Dresden
Sebastian Schmutzler is an ambitious student of economics at the TU Dresden and supports SEMODIA as a working student in operational sales. With his ability to research potential customers as well as interesting trade fairs, congresses and associations, he contributes significantly to the growth of the company. Sebastian is actively involved in the creation and editing of sales and marketing documents and develops precise sales metrics. He also assists with the preparation, implementation and follow-up of selected events.
Dipl.-Ing. Maximilian Stecklina
Frontend software developer
Maximilian is very well versed in UI design and VR, so he is mainly responsible for front end development at SEMODIA. He graduated in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in “Automation, measurement and control technology” and was subsequently responsible for tool integration in the semiconductor industry at Kontron AIS GmbH. The best preparations to enrich the SEMODIA team!
Steve Ullmann
Frontend Software Developer
With a solid foundation as a trained IT specialist and experience at Robotron, Steve brings a lot of technical know-how to the SEMODIA team. At our company, he primarily handles front-end development tasks, while also contributing his talents as a full-stack developer. With his combination of technical knowledge and practical experience, Steve is an invaluable member of our team.
Florian Zenker
Dual Study Information Technology
As a dual student in the field of information technology at the BA Dresden, Florian has found the ideal practical partner in SEMODIA. During his practical phases with us, he dives deep into the world of development and gains valuable experience that will benefit him in his studies. With fresh verve and theoretical knowledge from BA Dresden he enriches our developer team.
Our advisory board
Daniel Abicht
Member
Daniel Abicht works as Senior Investment Manager at Equinor Ventures. He has been successfully working in the energy industry for over 15 years.
In various leadership positions, Mr. Abicht has gained extensive practical experience in strategic alignment and scaling of companies, technology development, quality assurance, project management, and investment processes.
Additionally, he is qualified as a TÜV-certified Functional Safety Engineer and serves as the Chairman of the API 17F (Subsea Production and Process Control Systems) Working Group.
Jan Thomas Alter
Member
Jan Thomas Alter has been with TGFS since 2020 and has been active in the VC sector since 2014, initially in the later stage at GMPVC German Media Pool and then primarily in the pre-seed and seed phase at Companisto, where he most recently led the investment team and assisted in the investment rounds of over 30 start-ups. His investment focus is primarily on seed start-ups in deep tech and AI.
He has an academic background in international business administration and psychology. He holds a Master’s degree in Work and Organisational Psychology (M.Sc.) from Maastricht University and in Strategic Management (M.Sc.) from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Michelangelo Canzoneri
Member
Michelangelo Canzoneri, PhD, serves as the Global Head of Group Smart Manufacturing and Supply Chain Analytics at Merck KGaA, based in Darmstadt, Germany. A seasoned leader in digital transformation, he acts as the key business interface across the Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics sectors. His leadership is not only instrumental but transformative, as he fosters cross-sectoral collaboration and crafts unified strategies and roadmaps that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Michelangelo is a professor for Bioprocess Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences, Goethe Business School in Frankfurt and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA.
He cultivates a culture of intellectual curiosity and continuous learning, preparing the next generation of industry leaders.
An advocate for technological advancement, Michelangelo promotes the integration of process analytical technologies, robotics, automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence as essential components for the industry’s future.
Maik Müller
Chairman
Maik Müller has been a member of the Management Board of Nynomic AG since May 2015 and in this holding function is responsible for technology, operations and research and development. After completing his studies in Communications Technology, Maik Müller joined the recently founded tec5 GmbH in 1995, where he played an important role, in different capacities, in the development of the company over a period of over 10 years. From 2005 to 2008, he was Director R&D at CyBio AG. He then worked for Zühlke Engineering in the area of high-tech consulting until his appointment as Executive Director of tec5 AG in October 2010. He was fully operationally responsible for the tec5 Group until April 2023.
Process automation is a focus of his professional and voluntary work. Since the beginning of 2020 he has been actively promoting PAT (Process Analytics Technology) through his work as chairman of the board of the PAT working group of the GDCh, which also includes the topic of process automation among its focus topics.