Throughout Europe, massive corporations have gotten sturdy backers of startup innovation, and company venturing is extensively used as a buzzword nowadays. Past investing cash, they open doorways to prospects, present technical experience, and create alternatives for small groups to check and scale their concepts. Programmes just like the European Innovation Council’s Company Partnership Programme are serving to to bolster this development, connecting a few of Europe’s largest corporates with DeepTech startups.
Areas reminiscent of clear power, digitalisation, mobility, healthcare, and superior manufacturing obtain a number of the most vital investments, as corporates search for disruptive applied sciences that align with their long-term methods and the broader push towards sustainability and competitiveness in Europe.
This text highlights 50 main corporations which can be actively partnering with startups throughout varied technological fields. To make the content material straightforward to learn, we’ve organised it by nation.
Belgium
AB InBev
This Brussels-headquartered firm is the world’s largest brewer with 260 breweries and operations in additional than 50 international locations. Conscious of the environmental influence its trade generates, AB InBev is dedicated to sustainability, water stewardship, good agriculture, and round packaging.
Via its innovation arm ZX Ventures, AB InBev invests in startups within the area of drinks, e-commerce, sustainability, and digital know-how. Its flagship 100+ Sustainability Accelerator helps early-stage corporations tackling environmental and social challenges, providing mentoring, pilots, and funding to assist scale their options.
Solvay
It’s a chemical firm that produces important chemical compounds and superior supplies utilized in industries reminiscent of glass, electronics, development, automotive, power, and shopper items.
They search options in areas like superior supplies, power transition, digitalisation, and wellbeing. Solvay is advancing new applied sciences reminiscent of their e.Solvay course of (which makes use of renewable power to chop CO2 emissions by 50%, and cut back water, salt, and limestone use) and a bio-circular silica methodology derived from rice husk ash that cuts CO2 emissions. Via its enterprise company arm, Syensqo, they function a $100m evergreen fund with a give attention to decarbonation, electrification, bio and round supplies.
Denmark
Maersk
It’s a international chief in container transport and built-in logistics, connecting commerce throughout ocean, land, and air in additional than 130 international locations. Maersk’s function within the startup ecosystem is advancing in decarbonisation and digital transformation in logistics worldwide.
Via Maersk Progress, the corporate invests in early-stage startups. In 2025, Maersk shifted emphasis in direction of enterprise clienting, a mannequin that permits direct funding in startups, permitting them to relaxation options at scale to speed up innovation and progress in areas like provide chain, digitalisation, logistics and asset administration.
Novo Nordisk
This pharmaceutical firm is a world chief in tackling power illnesses, with a powerful give attention to diabetes, weight problems, and uncommon blood and endocrine problems. Constructing on greater than a century of analysis and innovation, Novo Nordisk continues to increase its function in advancing science, know-how, and sustainable healthcare.
The corporate actively collaborates with BioTech startups and researchers via a spread of open innovation and partnership programmes. It engages with European startups through initiatives just like the BioInnovation Institute (BII), primarily based and funded by the Novo Nordisk Basis, supporting and accelerating early-stage life science startups in HealthTech, therapeutics, and bioindustrials, providing funding, lab infrastructure, and enterprise growth assets. Earlier this yr, Novo Nordisk partnered with BioLabs to offer life science startups with lab area and scientific experience, additional strengthening its dedication to supporting entrepreneurial alternatives and public-private innovation partnerships.
France
AXA
Headquartered in Paris, they’re one of many largest international insurers and asset administration corporations, providing well being, life, property, and casualty insurance coverage in addition to funding options for people, companies, and establishments. Past conventional insurance coverage, AXA invests in healthcare providers and collaborates with startups to develop revolutionary options in wellbeing, mobility, cyber threat, and local weather resilience.
AXA’s innovation arm, AXA Subsequent, works with startups to construct new well being, safety and digital providers. AXA Startup Angel is one other notable platform (primarily within the UK), via which AXA helps, mentors, and invests in early-stage startups by providing enterprise growth assets and funding. Additionally they foster collaboration with startups through their Improvements & Startups program, specializing in areas reminiscent of cyber providers, net-zero, and worker well being.
Atos
Headquartered in Bezons, Atos is a world chief in digital transformation. They function in areas reminiscent of cloud and infrastructure, cybersecurity, knowledge and AI, and digital functions.
To interact with the startup ecosystem, Atos runs Scaler an open innovation accelerator, choosing startups and SMEs to co-develop options in areas reminiscent of cybersecurity, decarbonisation, and trade verticals. The programmes final about 12–18 months, members achieve entry to pilot alternatives with Atos purchasers, integration into its ecosystem and visibility via Atos’ international attain.
BNP Paribas
It’s a main French banking and monetary providers group, providing tailor-made options reminiscent of financing, capital markets, money administration, advisory, retail banking, financial savings, insurance coverage, wealth administration, and asset administration.
They’re dedicated to operating open innovation programmes centered on DeepTech, FinTech, and InsurTech startups. Considered one of their key initiatives is BivwAk!, an accelerator that helps early-stage startups by offering each bodily and digital areas. They’ve additionally created the WAI (We Are Innovation) accelerator, a 24-month programme that provides startups entry to BNP Paribas prospects, companions, and consultants. As well as, the group invests in startups both immediately via acquisitions or through fairness investments led by its enterprise arm, Opera Tech Ventures.
Danone
One of many world’s main gamers within the meals and beverage trade, with operations in additional than 120 international locations. The corporate seeks innovation in three most important areas: Important Dairy & Plant-based merchandise, Waters, and Specialised Vitamin.
Alongside its core enterprise, Danone invests closely in innovation and analysis, growing health-oriented meals, useful components, sustainable packaging, and climate-friendly provide chains. To help this, it created Danone Ventures, which companions with FoodTech startups. Moreover, they launched the bold Renew Danone initiative. Considered one of its pillars is a devoted channel that connects startups, educational establishments, and corporates to drive innovation throughout the whole firm.
ENGIE
One of many main French-based power corporations, dedicated to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral economic system. Their ambition is to remodel the whole power worth chain, from low-carbon electrical energy technology to fuel infrastructure and distribution tailor-made for companies and cities.
To collaborate with startups and foster innovation, ENGIE launched ENGIE New Ventures, the company enterprise capital arm. It invests in CleanTech startups, primarily from seed to Collection A, with a mission to digitise, decarbonise, and decentralise the power sector. Contributing to this, ENGIE additionally fosters Imaginative Builders a programme the place it goals to change concepts and share a objective between ENGIE staff and scouted startups.
L’Oréal
Headquartered in Paris, L’Oréal is considered one of the world’s main magnificence corporations, working throughout greater than 150 international locations with a portfolio of iconic manufacturers in cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrances. Its function within the startup ecosystem displays its ambition to reinforce buyer experiences, remodel merchandise, and speed up the shift towards extra sustainable magnificence.
Via its Open Innovation technique, L’Oréal actively collaborates with startups, analysis labs, and entrepreneurs in areas like magnificence, inexperienced sciences, and digital options. Programmes such because the L’Oréal Magnificence Tech Atelier incubator join early-stage startups with the group’s experience, whereas investments via its company enterprise arm BOLD (Enterprise Alternatives for L’Oréal Improvement) present funding to promising startups.
LVMH
This French luxurious items group brings collectively round 75 “Maisons” throughout style, leather-based items, perfumes & cosmetics, watches and jewelry, wines & spirits, and selective retailing. Balancing heritage with innovation, LVMH preserves model identification whereas embracing new concepts, positioning itself as a bridge between disruptive startups and the normal world of luxurious.
Below its Open Innovation umbrella, LVMH runs La Maison des Startups, an accelerator positioned at Station F in Paris that brings collectively as much as 30 startups yearly to co-create with its Maisons throughout domains reminiscent of immersive digital experiences, omnichannel retail, sustainability, and operations excellence. It additionally operates DARE, an intrapreneurship programme that invitations staff throughout all Maisons to pitch revolutionary concepts and incubate them internally with help. LVMH scouts for startups via initiatives like its Innovation Award, presents mentorship, workspace, and networking with group consultants, and catalyses collaboration throughout its manufacturers to assist startups scale in luxurious contexts.
Michelin
The corporate is a world chief in mobility and engineered supplies, finest identified for its core enterprise in tyres however more and more energetic in superior composites, related mobility options, and sustainable innovation. With greater than 130 years of heritage, Michelin combines experience in polymers, supplies, and data-driven methods with a transparent ambition to allow extra sustainable, environment friendly, and safer transport.
In 2014, Michelin launched the Michelin Innovation Lab, the place the corporate works with startups aligned with its strategic fields past tyres. Michelin invests in analysis partnerships and startups, supporting tasks in areas reminiscent of round economic system supplies and bio-sourced elastomers. By working carefully with college labs and embracing open innovation, Michelin accelerates progress towards its “all-sustainable” mobility ambitions.
Orange
This telecommunications operator is headquartered in Paris, with a presence throughout Europe, Africa, and the Center East. It presents all kinds of telephone connectivity, TV and digital providers.
Orange works carefully with startups supporting innovation through a number of startup and open-innovation applications. It runs Orange Fab, its international accelerator program, which helps early-stage startups scale by granting entry to its community, prospects, and technical infrastructure. Moreover, they supply Orange Digital Centres aimed to be a hub for interplay, experimentation and coaching for all gamers within the digital ecosystem. Lastly, the corporate additionally invests via Orange Ventures, its enterprise arm concentrating on digital providers, IoT, cybersecurity, FinTech, amongst others.
Complete Energies
The power firm produces oil, pure fuel, low-carbon electrical energy, renewables, and bioenergies. It goals to offer power that’s extra inexpensive, sustainable, dependable, and accessible, whereas advancing methods to scale back its carbon footprint and drive the transition to cleaner power methods.
To help innovation, TotalEnergies invests considerably in R&D and know-how growth. Via its TotalEnergies On accelerator, the corporate focuses on electricity-sector startups that intention to steer the power transition. Along with HEC Paris, they created a six-month programme the place startups achieve entry to consultants, mentoring, and a community of TotalEnergies, going down at Station F.
Saint Gobain
This supplies and development group goals to steer the shift towards lighter, extra sustainable development options, combining superior supplies, innovation, and environmental duty.
Saint-Gobain performs an energetic function within the international startup ecosystem via NOVA, its company enterprise arm established in 2006. NOVA focuses its investments on three broad areas: superior supplies, development, and round economic system startups. For the reason that finish of 2016, it has expanded its actions to incorporate taking fairness stakes in promising ventures.
Société Générale
It is considered one of Europe’s main monetary teams, offering retail, company and funding banking, in addition to asset administration options throughout greater than 60 international locations.
Via initiatives like Société Générale Ventures, the World Markets Incubator, and the Cost & Transaction Banking Accelerator, the group invests in and co-develops options with startups. These programmes present funding, mentorship, and pilot alternatives, significantly in areas reminiscent of FinTech, sustainable finance, AI, and blockchain, reinforcing the financial institution’s function as a accomplice with startups to deliver their merchandise and options to market, scaling them up as they achieve publicity throughout the financial institution and the trade.
Germany
Bosch Group
One of the crucial well-known German corporations, Bosch is headquartered in Gerlingen-Schillerhöhe and stands as a world engineering and know-how chief, working throughout sectors reminiscent of mobility, shopper items, residence home equipment, and industrial know-how.
Within the startup area, Bosch seeks to behave as greater than only a strategic accomplice. To interact startups, the corporate runs a number of programmes and funding autos. Its company enterprise arm, Bosch Ventures, invests globally in DeepTech, mobility and power startups, supported by a latest €250 million fund. Alongside this, initiatives reminiscent of Open Bosch, and Bosch Enterprise Improvements present startups with programmes, entry to networks, and, in some instances, early-stage funding. These platforms allow collaboration via pilots and testing, serving to startups deliver improvements to an industrial scale inside Bosch’s operations.
E.ON
Based mostly in Essen, E.ON is a number one European power firm that focuses on delivering energy and fuel to prospects, managing power distribution networks. The group is dedicated to creating revolutionary power options, pushing ahead digitalisation, sustainability, and innovation to assist communities, companies, and cities transition towards a cleaner, smarter power future.
Via its E.ON Group Innovation arm, E.ON collaborates with and helps startups, specializing in areas reminiscent of good grids, power infrastructure, and buyer options. One of many present programmes is the Free Electrons, which provides startups the possibility to co-develop and check new power applied sciences alongside E.ON, culminating in an annual Grand Finale and Open Day that brings the worldwide innovation ecosystem collectively. Annually, E.ON additionally runs the Grid Startup Problem, with the newest winners introduced in Might 2025.
Körber
Körber is a global know-how group headquartered in Hamburg, working throughout enterprise areas reminiscent of Digital, Pharma, Provide Chain, and Applied sciences, providing {hardware}, software program, and providers to assist purchasers automate, optimise, and digitise their operations.
Körber primarily companions and collaborates with startups via its ecosystem accomplice programmes. The corporate is structured into three most important areas, Pharma, Expertise, and Provide Chain, every of which develops its personal partnerships. As an example, inside its Expertise division, they’re very a lot enthusiastic about working with AI-powered SaaS startups that improve manufacturing effectivity. One other key ingredient is Körber Digital, which serves as a bridge for co-creation by enabling startups to work with industrial purchasers in actual operational environments, entry knowledge, and check their options at scale.
Lufthansa
Headquartered in Frankfurt am Foremost, Lufthansa is a significant international airline group, providing passenger, cargo, and logistics providers. Their purpose is to turn out to be a extra sustainable firm, striving to remain forward in digital transformation and innovation inside the journey and mobility ecosystem.
Lufthansa works with startups through its Lufthansa Innovation Hub, specializing in accelerating the subsequent wave of journey improvements. They run programmes such because the six-month Founder Program to incubate journey tech ventures or their Startup Lab (in partnership with Plug and Play) to supply pilots and partnerships. The hub additionally invests in promising startups, presents mentorship, and connects them with Lufthansa’s international community.
DB Schenker
This logistics and provide chain supplier presents land, air, and ocean freight, contract logistics, and built-in transport options to purchasers around the globe. They intention to modernise how items transfer, cut back environmental influence, and keep forward of evolving provide chain challenges.
They have interaction with startups through the STARTup Terminal, a enterprise shopper unit that scouts and evaluates startups aligned with its operational wants, runs pilot tasks, and helps scale startup options. Moreover, the Enterprise Lab for Logistics and Digitalisation serves as an innovation hub the place technology-driven options are remodeled into prototypes and changed into value-creating options for logistics and provide chain operations.
Deutsche Telekom
Considered one of Europe’s most important telecommunications corporations presents fastened and cell networks, broadband, IT and cloud providers, and digital options for shoppers and companies. Their innovation ambition is to search out revolutionary connectivity infrastructure with innovation in AI, IoT, and to form the way forward for digital ecosystems.
To collaborate with startups, Deutsche Telekom have created hubraum, its tech incubator investing in early-stage startups. It additionally drives innovation via T-Labs, which co-researches rising applied sciences and runs challenges such because the T Problem on Web3. As well as, TechBoost is Telekom’s startup programme and matchmaking platform for enterprise prospects, whereas its funding arm TCapital supplies funding to early- and late-stage startups. Notably, TCapital was additionally not too long ago highlighted on this EU-Startups article on Europe’s main sustainability VCs, underscoring Deutsche Telekom’s dedication to backing ventures with each technological and environmental influence.
Mercedes-Benz
Based mostly in Stuttgart, it’s an automotive and mobility firm, identified for manufacturing premium vehicles. They’re primarily enthusiastic about reworking software-driven mobility and in embedding innovation and digital capabilities in its merchandise and operations.
Mercedes companions with startups primarily via its innovation platform STARTUP AUTOBAHN run in partnership with Plug and Play, ARENA2036, and the College of Stuttgart. The programme helps startups validate whether or not their options match the corporate’s technique and may be utilized within the trade. It helps prototyping and might result in integration into manufacturing or wider scaling. Startups which can be chosen achieve entry to Mercedes-Benz’s experience, manufacturing information, trade contacts, publicity to a world viewers, and a quick monitor to potential industrial deployment.
Italy
Enel
Headquartered in Rome, Enel is without doubt one of the most important power corporations in Europe and past. They generate and distribute electrical energy and fuel, with a powerful emphasis on renewable power, electrification, and sustainability.
To interact with startups and innovators, Enel runs the Open Innovability, a world crowdsourcing platform that launches challenges, sources exterior options, and develops pilot tasks in collaboration with its labs and companions. It additionally organises initiatives just like the Enel Innothon 2025, a programme automating infrastructure duties or enhancing power methods. As well as, Enel has ten Innovation Hubs worldwide, which act as regional connectors, linking native ecosystems with international companions and offering the assets wanted to scale impactful options.
UniCredit
It’s a European Financial institution providing providers in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Central and Japanese Europe.
In its engagement with startups and innovation, UniCredit runs Begin Lab, a platform devoted to supporting Italian startups and revolutionary SMEs via coaching, mentoring, networking, and strategic partnership growth. Since 2009, they’ve developed a programme referred to as “Il Talento delle Idee” which acts as an accelerator, launching every year with open requires functions. The programme helps startups strengthen their progress, construct networks, and type partnerships with related trade stakeholders.
Netherlands
Airbus
One of the crucial necessary European aerospace and defence corporations. Legally registered in Leiden, however every day managed from the corporate’s most important workplace positioned in Blagnac, France. Airbus designs, manufactures, and delivers industrial plane, helicopters, defence and area methods. The corporate is principally dedicated to discovering options to lighter, safer, extra fuel-efficient plane and options like hydrogen or carbon seize.
On the startup aspect, Airbus runs a number of structured initiatives: Airbus Ventures invests in early-stage aerospace and associated tech corporations from places of work in Silicon Valley, Paris, and Tokyo.
Its Central Innovation arm incubates startups, co-funding new ventures, scouting applied sciences, and constructing companies round sustainability and aerospace challenges. Moreover, within the UK, they’ve created the Airbus House Accelerator, which supplies a 14-week programme to assist SMEs increase into area markets.
Ferrovial
It is without doubt one of the main infrastructure and mobility corporations headquartered within the Netherlands. Its operation sectors embody development of highways, airports and power.
Ferrovial embeds innovation into its core by combining a proper open innovation technique with a tradition that encourages concept technology from staff and exterior companions. It maintains a Digital Hub that accelerates innovation and drives its digital transformation throughout infrastructure operations. Constructing on this, Ferrovial has a company venturing arm, the place they foster a number of innovation applications, such because the BuildUp! specializing in the development of civil and industrial challenges.
KPN
Headquartered in Rotterdam, KPN is without doubt one of the main Dutch telecommunications and IT corporations within the nation. KPN is dedicated to making a Higher Web within the Netherlands, thus making the nation one of many best-connected and climate-neutral nations.
Their collaboration with startups is essential to attaining their objectives. KPN pursues open innovation by collaborating with startups and scaleups to co-develop options that handle challenges in areas like retail, sustainability, networks and IT infrastructure, on-line platforms, and SME instruments. Via KPN Ventures, it invests in collection A, B and C startups specializing in B2C and B2B prospects or corporations working within the telecommunications sector.
Philips
This international health-technology firm goals to enhance well being and well-being via innovation. It focuses on areas like diagnostic imaging, affected person monitoring, interventional methods, informatics, and related care, providing options for hospitals, clinics, and houses. As soon as identified for shopper electronics, the corporate has shifted its focus to turn out to be a frontrunner in well being know-how.
Within the startup ecosystem, Philips engages with startups and scaleups via devoted programmes and strategic partnerships. They’re dedicated to advancing open innovation through their Provider Innovation portal. Challenges in outlined areas are revealed, and exterior customers are invited to suggest concepts, applied sciences, merchandise, or providers in response. Moreover, Philips invests in startups via Philips Ventures, which focuses on early-stage startups. Past capital funding, Philips Ventures supplies operational experience, regulatory and scientific technique steering, and entry to Philips’ international community and market insights.
Norway
Equinor
Based mostly in southern Norway, Equinor is a global power firm historically buying and selling in oil and fuel. These days, it goals to transition in direction of low-carbon options. Equinor acts as a strategic collaborator and investor with startups, because it seeks applied sciences and enterprise fashions that align with its ambition to turn out to be a net-zero power firm by 2050.
To help innovation, Equinor operates a lot of startup-facing initiatives. Its company enterprise capital arm, Equinor Ventures, invests in early to growth-stage startups with applied sciences in renewables, power methods, and low-carbon options, sometimes taking minority stakes and facilitating pilots and scaling. Complementing this, Equinor runs the Equinor Startup Hub, a merger of mature startups and inner groups in search of new options, enabling pilot tasks, collaboration, and adoption of improvements.
Portugal
EDP Group
Lisbon-based, this power firm operates throughout technology, transmission, distribution, and provide of electrical energy and fuel. They’re dedicated to decarbonising operations to scale back emissions. That is why cooperation with startups is of utmost significance.
EDP runs a number of initiatives, an instance of which is the Power Starter, an open innovation programme that invitations startups globally to co-innovate in areas like Future Grids, Renewable Power and Shopper Options. The programme brings alternatives for pilots, scaling, and collaboration with EDP’s operations.
Galp
Considered one of Portugal’s most important power corporations, it operates throughout the oil and fuel worth chain, whereas additionally increasing into electrical energy, renewables, and new power companies.
Galp’s innovation agenda is structured round Upcoming Energies, its open innovation and new enterprise platform, which emphasises collaboration with startups. The innovation mannequin spans three centres: Renewables, Industrial, and Industrial. These are organised round eight focus areas, together with renewable electrical energy, power storage, e-fuels and biofuels, hydrogen, digital options, and round economic system initiatives.
Spain
Acciona
This Spanish multinational group specialises in infrastructure development, renewable power, water, and providers. With actions spanning power, water, transport, and concrete growth, it locations sustainability and innovation on the centre of its technique.
To interact with the startup ecosystem, Acciona runs the I’MNOVATION open innovation programme, which invitations startups, scaleups, spin-offs, universities and R&D centres to deliver options dealing with outlined challenges in infrastructure, renewable power, water and good cities. Via this programme, chosen startups have entry to technical and enterprise mentorship and alternatives to combine their options into Acciona’s operations.
BBVA
Considered one of Spain’s main monetary establishments, BBVA, is pursuing digital transformation and positions itself as some of the technology-driven gamers in international finance.
Inside the startup ecosystem, BBVA has created BBVA Spark, a platform designed to help the complete vary of economic wants that high-growth corporations face as they scale. Aimed toward tech entrepreneurs and enterprise capital funds, it presents complete banking providers, together with accounts, progress loans, payroll, funds, and insurance coverage, making certain seamless day-to-day operations. BBVA Spark is presently energetic in Spain, Mexico, and Colombia. As well as, BBVA drives collaborations via its Open Innovation platform, reminiscent of B-Enterprise in northern Spain or the BBVA Spark Summit, which connects BBVA enterprise items with FinTech startups.
CaixaBank
Headquartered in Barcelona, CaixaBank is considered one of Spain’s main monetary establishments, with actions spanning retail and company banking, insurance coverage, and investments in worldwide banks in addition to main corporations within the providers sector.
To help startups and innovators, CaixaBank operates DayOne, a specialised banking division geared toward startups, scaleups, and their traders. DayOne supplies tailor-made monetary options, together with enterprise debt and customised banking providers, whereas supporting purchasers via hubs in key Spanish cities that function centres for networking and mentoring. CaixaBank additionally promotes open innovation programmes and organises the EmprendeXXI Awards, which recognise high-potential tasks throughout six classes: Social Impression, Sustainability, Disruptive Innovation, Scalability, Agro Enhance, and FinTech.
Enagás
This power firm specialises within the growth, operation, and upkeep of key power infrastructures, significantly within the fuel sector. Enagás performs a central function in making certain power safety, as it’s the most important participant managing fuel in Spain.
Enagás is dedicated to driving a inexperienced transformation and, inside the framework of power transition, actively seeks options that speed up it. Via its Emprendimiento e Innovación Abierta programme, the corporate helps early-stage startups within the means of maturing and defining their mission via funding, mentoring, and tailored applications. Its company enterprise arm, Enagás Emprende, additional strengthens this strategy by investing in and accelerating tasks centered on hydrogen, biogas, and digital options.
Iberdrola
Considered one of Spain’s most promising electrical utility corporations, headquartered in Bilbao, is extensively recognised as one of many world’s main gamers in clear power and grid infrastructure.
Inside the startup ecosystem, Iberdrola seems to speed up sustainability and decarbonisation in its core operations. It runs PERSEO programme, which channels open innovation, pilot tasks, and enterprise capital funding into early-stage startups whose options, in areas reminiscent of digital transformation, AI, automation, good power effectivity, and infrastructure for electrical automobile charging. Past that, PERSEO additionally works with giant tech funds, such because the Seaya Andromeda Sustainable Tech Fund and Buenavista Tech Seed, to scale up GreenTech startups.
Telefónica
Based mostly in Madrid, Telefónica is a world telecommunications firm with operations spanning cell, fixed-line, broadband, and digital providers. It has positioned itself as a know-how innovator, significantly in areas like IoT, AI, cloud, and community evolution.
To help startups, Telefónica operates Wayra, its company enterprise arm, which invests in startups and connects them with Telefónica’s enterprise items and community. Via programmes like Wayra Activation, it supplies startups with entry to APIs, technical help, enterprise growth alternatives, and pilot collaborations. Moreover, they launch Open Future, a regional initiative, providing mentoring, coaching, and visibility, with pathways for startups to finally obtain funding from Wayra.
Sweden
Ericsson
Headquartered in Sweden’s capital, this telecommunications and digital infrastructure firm supplies the tools and software program that telecom operators use to ship cell phone and web providers. Their areas of funding are community evolution, 5G, cloud-native platforms, and automation.
Within the startup ecosystem, Ericsson presents initiatives just like the Startup 5G programme, which brings collectively startups and communication service suppliers to co-develop and pilot superior shopper and enterprise 5G options. To foster innovation from even early levels, Ericsson has created the Ericsson Edge Academy, the place college students from throughout the globe be part of to fast-track their journey into the tech world. The course focuses on constructing future-ready abilities in 5G, AI, Automation, and Telecommunications.
Volvo
A serious Swedish industrial firm that designs, manufactures, and providers industrial autos and tools reminiscent of vehicles, buses, development equipment, marine engines, and industrial drive methods. At current, they’re centered on growing revolutionary related options and power methods for autos to help the transition towards sustainable mobility and transport.
To foster innovation, Volvo has created Innovation Laboratories to behave as collaborative hubs the place new concepts in mobility, connectivity, and digital providers are explored, prototyped, and examined. The labs join Volvo groups with startups, companions, and academia to speed up market-ready options. Actions embody hackathons, pilot tasks like Volvo LIGHTS, and partnerships via networks reminiscent of MobilityXLab, CampX incubator for early-stage startups or iLabX, which accelerates Fintech and mobility options. All geared toward integrating exterior innovation into Volvo’s operations.
Switzerland
This multinational know-how firm specialises in electrification, automation, robotics, and digital industries. They function throughout sectors reminiscent of utilities, transport, infrastructure, and manufacturing, positioning themselves as a participant in driving innovation for a low-carbon future.
The Zurich-based firm collaborates with startups and scale-ups via its accelerator programmes. Amongst them, SynerLeap focuses on supporting startups that handle industrial digitalisation challenges, providing mentorship and alternatives to scale inside ABB’s ecosystem. The corporate additionally organises initiatives just like the ABB Startup Problem, which supply funding, collaboration tasks, and entry to ABB’s infrastructure and purchasers. Complementing these, its company enterprise arm, ABB Expertise Ventures, invests in startups throughout robotics, industrial IoT, synthetic intelligence, power transition, cybersecurity, sustainability, and electrical mobility.
Logitech
Lausanne-based Logitech is a world firm that develops software-enabled {hardware} merchandise and options designed for work, play, audio, video, and digital interplay. With a presence in a number of markets and a powerful give attention to innovation, the corporate combines design, engineering, and sustainability to create merchandise that join individuals and improve digital experiences.
Considered one of Logitech’s most important programmes for partaking exterior innovation is the Future Optimistic Problem. This recurring open innovation contest invitations startups and researchers to pitch disruptive options in areas reminiscent of supplies, battery know-how, sustainable manufacturing, and waste administration. In continuation with these programmes, Logitech companions with different initiatives such because the Accelerator Tech4Regeneration, the place Logitech helps GreenTech startups by offering experience, mentorship and worldwide partnerships to allow large-scale deployment.
Nestlé
The world’s largest meals and beverage firm, working in round 190 international locations with greater than 2,000 manufacturers throughout classes reminiscent of espresso, pet care, ready meals, water, vitamin, and confectionery. Goals to transition to a extra sustainable world via enhancing the standard of life and contributing to more healthy vitamin.
Within the startup ecosystem, Nestlé seems for rising options in meals, well being and the round economic system. Its R&D group has powered The Accelerator, a programme that gives entry to prototyping kitchens, coworking area, funding, and mentorship to show new concepts into marketable merchandise. The primary focus areas are meals, vitamin, well being, and digital applied sciences. As well as, they run the Nestlé Startup Program, which focuses on improvements in areas reminiscent of good farming and AgTech, serving to startups refine their fashions and scale within the agriculture and meals area.
Roche
It is without doubt one of the main Swiss biotechnology and pharmaceutical corporations with deep roots in diagnostics and medication. It focuses on growing therapies and diagnostic instruments throughout main illness areas, reminiscent of oncology, immunology, infectious illnesses, ophthalmology, and neuroscience.
Roche invests considerably in R&D throughout the globe. In Europe, it companions with accelerators like Startup Creasphere, the place chosen digital well being startups participate in a three-month programme, working immediately with Roche on devoted pilot tasks. In Asia, Roche has set its Accelerator supporting entrepreneurs with seed funding, lab infrastructure, mentorship, and scientific assets in pharma, diagnostics, and AI/digital well being.
Zurich Insurance coverage
It is a international insurer providing property, well being, and industrial protection. The corporate is dedicated to serving to individuals and companies perceive and shield themselves from threat, specializing in sustainability, digital transformation, and customer-centric options to assist purchasers handle threat.
To interact with startups and innovators, Zurich Insurance coverage runs a number of programmes beneath the umbrella of Innovation & Expertise. It’s divided into two branches: Zurich Innovation Championship, a world open innovation contest that invitations startups in areas reminiscent of industrial insurance coverage, digital simplification, life and well being, and retail. Chosen ventures get entry to inner enterprise items as first prospects, mentorship, validation and scaling help over a number of months, and the chance to pilot options inside Zurich’s operations. And Zurich’s international innovation unit, via its Zurich World Ventures, which builds and scales new insurance-driven services and products, reminiscent of journey, life safety, worker advantages, well being and wellbeing, and cyber choices, to ship seamless buyer experiences and speed up Zurich’s progress.
United Kingdom
Shell
One of many main corporations within the power and petrochemical sector, energetic throughout the whole power worth chain, with operations spanning oil and fuel exploration, refining, buying and selling, renewable power, and low-carbon options. They need to be forward of the curve of innovation by shifting in direction of decarbonization.
Shell’s collaboration with startups runs via a number of programmes and funding autos. Its flagship programme, Shell StartUp Engine, helps early-to-mid-stage clear power startups from throughout the globe by offering entry to mentors, networks, and pilots throughout its international footprint, specializing in areas like renewables, power storage, good grids, and electrical mobility. It additionally operates Shell Ventures and Shell GameChanger, which spend money on and incubate breakthrough applied sciences.
AstraZeneca
Headquartered in Cambridge, this international science-led biopharmaceutical firm goals to ship revolutionary medicines that enhance well being. It focuses on analysis, growth, manufacturing, and commercialisation throughout therapeutic areas reminiscent of oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory, irritation, and uncommon illnesses.
To help innovation, AstraZeneca bets on Open Innovation programmes to find the most effective scientific companions. This invitations collaboration throughout all levels of drug discovery, from preclinical work to early scientific analysis, via initiatives like CoSolve challenges and its Thought Incubator. It additionally presents mentorship and networking via its AstraZeneca Trade programme, connecting startups and entrepreneurs with scientific and enterprise consultants within the life science ecosystems. Via these programmes, AstraZeneca shares experience, analysis instruments, and generally compound entry to co-develop novel therapies in partnership with exterior solution-providers.
BP
The British multinational power firm operates from upstream oil and fuel exploration and manufacturing to downstream refining, chemical compounds, and energy and renewables. Its said objective is to advertise the power transition, with a presence in bioenergy, hydrogen, EV charging, and low-carbon options.
To realize these sustainable commitments, BP engages with startups via its venturing and accelerator efforts. Its arm BP Ventures invests in scalable applied sciences from roughly Collection A onwards. Startups chosen for funding achieve entry to BP’s international community, experience, and assets to assist scale their options. The main focus is on power transition, sustainability, and core operational enhancements. Complementing this, BP’s open innovation initiatives present ongoing alternatives for startups to submit services and products to collaboration hubs. These hubs are digital platforms the place submissions are vetted and shared throughout BP’s groups, usually tied to particular enterprise challenges.
Unilever
London-based, this shopper items firm strives to steadiness industrial progress with environmental and social duty. They’re actively in search of exterior concepts to push their sustainability, product, and operational ambitions.
To interact startups, Unilever bets on open innovation programmes, reminiscent of its Unilever Foundry, which brings startups and Unilever manufacturers collectively to spice up enterprise growth. Its Open Innovation Portal, the place entrepreneurs can submit technical options aligned with their largest sustainability challenges. Unilever additionally invests via Unilever Ventures, particularly specializing in magnificence and wellness manufacturers, commerce and know-how. Complementing these, the corporate participates in multi-company accelerators just like the 100+ Accelerator to pilot AI and supply-chain options.
Vodafone
The telecommunications firm working primarily throughout Europe and Africa goals to embrace connectivity throughout the globe.
Considered one of Vodafone’s flagship initiatives is Open Innovation Program 2.0. This 5-month journey goals to assemble startups within the digitalisation sector, reminiscent of SmartTech, Immersive, and so on. Chosen members achieve entry to Vodafone’s testbed environments (reminiscent of 5G, edge cloud, and APIs), obtain mentorship in enterprise and know-how, and get alternatives to pilot options with Vodafone and its companions.
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