Naext makes world more accessible with indoor spatial computing
This week we are highlighting the winners of the Gerard and Anton Awards. Today: Naext.
Published on July 4, 2025
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At first glance, it appears to be a niche market: navigation technology for individuals with visual impairments, particularly in complex indoor environments such as hospitals and public transportation. But for Lukas van Delft and Victor van Dinten, founders of Naext, it is a springboard to a broader, European mission: a more accessible world supported by innovative, privacy-friendly technology.
Naext's roots go back to their time at HERE Technologies, where they worked on high-precision car positioning. “We developed systems that could locate cars in parking garages without GPS or Wi-Fi,” says Van Dinten. “But we also saw that this technology could have a much greater impact on people, on human mobility.” That idea led to the founding of Naext in Eindhoven in 2022.
Smart glasses, smart routes
Naext is building a platform for indoor spatial computing—technology that utilizes AI, computer vision, and immersive experiences to enable people to navigate complex buildings independently. It does so not through expensive infrastructure or sensors, but through regular smartphones and smart glasses. Their most visible application at the moment is making Dutch public transportation more accessible for people with and without visual impairments.
“Our job to be done is to make mobility accessible to everyone,” says Van Delft. “We are currently focusing on public transport locations, but the technology is also ideal for hospitals, university campuses, airports, and even exhibition venues.”
European standard
That ambition is not limited to the Netherlands. The startup has already raised €1.5 million in funding and plans to roll out its technology across the rest of the continent through European mobility hubs. “Our mission will be accomplished when we are the indoor navigation platform of Europe – an open, transparent alternative to closed big-tech solutions such as those offered by Google or Niantic,” says Van Dinten.
Although Naext competes with companies such as Be My Eyes, GoodMaps, and Niantic, the team sees them primarily as ecosystem partners. “Our niche is at the intersection of assistive technology and immersive AI in indoor environments. We target large-scale, complex buildings—something that existing solutions often fall short of.”
Big impact, small team
The biggest challenge so far? “Without a doubt: scaling up complex technology on standard equipment with limited computing power,” says Van Delft. “But we've done it. Our biggest success is that the largest hospital in the Netherlands now has more than 1,000 active users of our technology every month. That proves that the impact is real.”
That impact is supported by the Brainport ecosystem, which, according to the founders, plays a key role in their development. “We have found investors, partners, and talent here. And since our move to the High Tech Campus, that connection has only grown stronger.”
Startup-friendly clients wanted
Still, there is room for improvement. “What's missing are large clients who dare to take a chance,” says Van Dinten. “Those who are willing to adopt startup technology on a large scale, despite internal governance or purchasing rules. Often, it gets stuck in pilot projects, while real value only emerges with broad implementation.”
And what if Naext hadn't been founded in Brainport? “Then maybe in Finland, because of the talent available in our field. Or Canada, because of its innovative startup climate and international scalability.”
Van Delft says the coming years will be crucial. “The adoption of AI and AR glasses will determine how fast our market grows. Add to that European accessibility legislation, and the opportunities are enormous. We don't just want to make this technology available – we want to make it human and meaningful.”
G&A 2025
Every year, we spotlight 10 start-ups from the Brainport region. Each receives a Gerard & Anton Award.
View G&A 2025