BMW is looking to maintain its position as the world’s most sustainable automaker, and is calling on new companies with innovative ideas to collaborate with the BMW Startup Garage. Founded in 2015, the BMW Startup Garage allows the auto manufacturer early access to pioneering innovations and shares ideas with more than 1,000 startups in 30 countries.
The latest effort is referred to as the Open Call 360° Sustainability Challenge, and is aimed at attracting startups with forward-thinking ideas which can be applied to recyclable materials, supply chain sustainability, energy-efficient production operations, mobile intelligence, intelligent building management, customer-centric mobility, and sustainable tech. An additional “wild card” category for ideas and concepts that do not fall into any of the aforementioned areas is also open.
“We are looking forward to receiving applications from business founders around the world. We have believed for a long time that startups have a key role to play in helping us shape individual, connected, and sustainable mobility,” says Bernhard Schambeck, head of BMW Startup Garage.
The BMW Startup Garage is part of The BMW Group Research and Technology House in Garching, Germany.
Innovations will be accepted by the BMW Startup Garage until June 28. All ideas and concepts will be reviewed, but only the most compelling in terms of their ability to contribute to sustainability at BMW will get the chance to pitch their solutions to BMW in late July, with the potential to begin working with The BMW Group. The winners of the Open Call 360° Sustainability Challenge will be presented IAA Munich, which is taking the place of the previously all-important Frankfurt Auto Show.
In addition to the chance to have BMW as a client, chosen startups will also be granted access to the BMW Startup Garage’s venture client program. Sustainably-minded startups are invited to learn more and register for the challenge on the BMW Startup Garage website.
Since its founding 2015, the BMW Startup Garage has had more than 100 tech companies with over $2,800,000,000 in funding progress through its program, which secures early access to innovative ideas for BMW, while startups are assisted in refining their business plan. The goal is to evaluate and enable startups with forward-thinking ideas as potential suppliers and long-term partners for BMW.
The BMW Startup Garage is one of four vehicles with which The BMW Group facilities collaboration in the world of startups. The others include BMW i Ventures, through which BMW invests and backs companies, Mini’s Urban-X city-focused startup accelerator, and BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt‘s Respond accelerator, which supports sustainable startups and entrepreneurs.—Alex Tock
[Photos courtesy BMW AG.]
