From intrapreneur to entrepreneur – Nikolai Sauer on the next chapter of Bosch Advanced Ceramics
With the carve-out from Bosch Business Innovations, a new chapter is opening for Bosch Advanced Ceramics: more independence, new markets – and a team that continues to carry Bosch’s innovation DNA.
Bosch Advanced Ceramics becomes part of the Sintokogio Group. With the move from the corporate venture builder Bosch Business Innovations to full independence, the startup is strengthening its global market position in the additive manufacturing of technical ceramics – supported by new investment power and expanded access to technology.
We spoke with Nikolai Sauer, previously CTO of Bosch Advanced Ceramics and soon to be Managing Director of Sinto Advanced Ceramics, about the journey from venture to independent company – and about what drives him to redefine responsibility.
From the workshop in Schwieberdingen to the helm of a ceramics pioneer
When Nikolai began his mechatronics training at Bosch in Schwieberdingen in 2008, his career path was still far from startups or corporate leadership. After studying industrial engineering with a focus on mechanical engineering at Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Germany, he completed internships in production planning – the place where the idea for an entirely new business model would later emerge.
In 2016, a new venture was founded out of the production department in Kempten: CeriX, later Bosch Advanced Ceramics. The goal: making 3D printing of high-performance ceramics ready for industrial series production.
“We wanted to find out whether 3D printing for ceramic materials could work for serial manufacturing,” recalls Nikolai, who witnessed the founding firsthand. “Back then, it was completely unexplored territory – but growing customer interest quickly showed how big the potential was.”
Venture building at Bosch: freedom meets support
What began as an internal project evolved – with the support of Bosch Business Innovations – into a venture with a clear vision: pushing the boundaries of conventional manufacturing.
“The support from Bosch Business Innovations was crucial”, says Nikolai.
“We were able to focus on technology and customers while benefiting from Bosch’s experience, structures, and network.”
This combination of entrepreneurial freedom and company-wide trust became the key success factor: Bosch Advanced Ceramics gained access to research resources, international markets, and customers who trusted the Bosch brand – a decisive advantage in building credibility in a conservative industrial segment.
“As a Bosch venture, many doors opened. But we had to earn that initial trust ourselves – through results, quality, and innovation, measured against external competition”, Nikolai adds.
From idea to series production
Parallel to his thesis, Nikolai researched how 3D ceramic printing could be used for series applications. In 2017, he joined as a development engineer and soon took on leadership responsibilities. During this time, the 3D printing of high-performance ceramics evolved from a niche topic into the core business.
“The moment we delivered the first series component to an external customer was a real milestone”, he says. “That’s when we knew: we had turned an idea into a working product.”
In the following years, new projects, customers, and partnerships emerged. Eventually, the team decided to focus entirely on additive manufacturing and discontinue traditional injection molding – a step that paved the way for sustainable growth.
The carve-out: from intrapreneur to entrepreneur
Scheduled for January 1, 2026, Bosch Advanced Ceramics will officially transition to independence – with Sintokogio as a strong new partner. For Nikolai, who has spent his entire professional life at Bosch, it’s an emotional step: “I grew up within Bosch – with its values, culture, and people. Leaving that framework was not an easy decision.”
Yet the carve-out opens new perspectives. The new owner brings additional technological assets, international market access, and investment power – the ideal foundation for taking the business to the next level.
“We can now scale externally – with new partners, technologies, and markets. It’s the next logical step in our evolution“, says Nikolai.
New perspective, lasting values
The majority of the existing team is taking the step toward independence – a sign of strong cohesion. “These people helped build the technology from the ground up – their expertise is our greatest asset”, says Nikolai.
With the new structure, he is taking on full responsibility for both technology and the company – growing from intrapreneur to entrepreneur. As managing director, he will lead the newly founded Sinto Advanced Ceramics Europe GmbH. And even though Bosch Advanced Ceramics is now part of a new corporate group, the Bosch DNA remains tangible.
“We carry a lot with us – the commitment to quality, the systematic approach, the spirit of innovation”, Nikolai sums up. “Venture building at Bosch was a real launchpad for us – without the support from Bosch Business Innovations, we would never have reached this point.”
Learn more
- Official press release
- Visit the Bosch Advanced Ceramics website
- Connect with Nikolai Sauer on LinkedIn