Project funding

As the Bosch incubator, we fund and scale internal digital business model projects that go beyond the core and adjacent business areas of our company. We are continuously seeking new high-potential business cases to fill the transformational innovation pipeline for Bosch. With data-driven and human-centred funding principles and criteria as well as cross-functional global project application experts, we leverage the platform’s extensive experience in identifying, validating, and funding promising innovation.

Application Criteria

In principle, we have defined four fundamental criteria to which transformational innovation projects must adhere when applying. grow platform takes up projects which go beyond the core of Bosch business division, show advanced maturity, business & scaling potential, and outperform competition with collaborative top talents and teams.

Innovation Search Field

Beyond Business

grow platform aims to foster disruptive and transformational innovations ultimately creating and opening new markets and business fields for Bosch. Therefore, we define “Beyond” projects as business cases outside of core and adjacent business areas which will serve new markets or customers with existing or new products.

Aligned with Bosch’s corporate strategy, we are funding projects that leverage sensors, software and/or services, incorporate connectivity (IoT) and/or, potentially, accelerate our value creation lifecycle in combination with or through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Innovation Maturity Level

Advanced

When it comes to innovation, there are many different levels of maturity ranging from a search field to an idea to a scalable business model. Measured according to phases and criteria of the Bosch Innovation Framework, projects must have passed through all phases defined before “Incubation” or have a comparable maturity status.

“Concept validation” working packages should be almost complete or in progress. Possible gate criteria to consider might be an existing proof of concept (PoC), analyzed capabilities for success of the business model, an identified and validated customer segment, or an existing (and successfully integrated) minimum viable product (MVP).

Business & Market Potential

Tricorn

We aim to develop and establish globally operating businesses for Bosch. With respect to externally recognized “start-up unicorn” definitions, we do not understand tricorns as a business with a valuation of at least $1 billion but go beyond that. “Bosch Tricorns” deliver potentials of billion dollars in revenue, value, and double digits in net cash flow after ten years of their market launch. This will enable us to successfully re-integrate new businesses back into the Bosch Group as independent entities in the long term. Applying teams are not required to demonstrate precise figures at the time of application, but they do need to have a clear potential.

People & Team Chemistry

Outperform

To implement successful business in a start-up environment, the team as such has the highest priority. Only high-performance teams will lead a business to great success. Team features such as social cohesion, collaboration style, and team members’ competencies decide in challenging times whether teams manage to survive and whether team members feel something is worth working hard for.

Every team may have specifics that make it successful. Based on research results, our experience, and cooperation with existing teams, grow platform has defined certain criteria for outperforming top-talented teams. A minimum of two applying associates must demonstrate specific skills in entrepreneurship, developing transparent and organized team structures, and embrace skills & affinity such as ability to learn, problem-solving, and maintaining and creating a safe team culture.

Identifying & analyzing transformational innovations

Project applicants can expect to collaborate and work hands-on with grow platform’s global and interdisciplinary “Attract & Validate” department. The platform team is fully dedicated to guide them through the application process on eye level to ensure market driven and transparent maturity and potential of the project to be financed.

1. Attract Bosch internal business cases

The team collaborates with grow platform hubs around the world to understand the demand in each region and business areas. Networking and expanding internal visibility in further Bosch internal innovation programs plays a crucial role. The team is using Bosch’s expert network and leverages the support of partners, such as Bosch Corporate Research, and further venture units and internal innovation partners. By reaching out to experts around the world, the team gains market and customer insight, which opens the door to potential start-ups and targeted topics.

2. Validating respective business and team potential

Validating projects covers a range of topics, but two are critically important: scalability and team dynamics. If scalability is difficult to achieve, the return on investment may not be worthwhile for Bosch. If team dynamics are not solid and positive, then the project may not launch successfully. Scalability involves a firm understanding of the problem at hand and the innovative solution being developed. Many candidates have not fully researched their target market and are only trying to solve a problem within their region, not considering global opportunities. If scalability is unclear for the candidates, grow platform provides enough time for them to drill down and fully explore their potential reach.

3. Selecting high potentials for funding decision

From the first contact with a candidate all the way to guiding them over several months, the Global Attract & Validate Team collects all the insights and data necessary. When it comes to selection, the team gives its thorough recommendations to the portfolio owner, the grow platform Managing Directors. Based on all the analysis provided by the department, it is then up to managing sponsors to make the decision to allocate funding. If it is a “Yes”, then a start-up receives financial resources, autonomy, and support of grow platform. If it is a “No,” then the start-up will receive clear indication on why they are not a fit. For many, rejection is not the end of the road. It all comes down to potential – and when the Global Attract & Validate Team sees exciting potential, they keep the door open for start-ups to reapply.

“A customized process with applications open all year round – We are your door openers to enable new transformational innovations for Bosch. The projects can start anywhere at any time with us. We take up the pace provided by you.”

– Tong Bu, Innovation Manager, Attract & Validate

Regional focal points: Get in touch

Global reach and ambition: An international mindset is at the core of grow platform, as projects must have the ability to scale to markets and customers around the world. In fact, the stage is set from the beginning.

Find your regional focal point – schedule your first application meeting today – for a better tomorrow.

Europe & Middle East

Guilherme Rocamora, Start-up Admissions Manager

based in Ludwigsburg, Germany
guilherme.rocamora@de.bosch.com

China, ASEAN region, Japan

Tong Bu, Innovation Manager

based in Tokyo, Japan
tong.bu@jp.bosch.com

India, Africa

Simon Iraya, Innovation Manager

based in Nairobi, Kenya
simon.iraya@bosch.com

Applying for funding from the Bosch Incubator: Unsure about the process?

Hear firsthand what to expect straight from the team

How we take funding decisions

We strive to act as closely and correctly as possible, knowing that we can never be infallible.

Fair

The rules of the game are clear at every time. We follow transparent, non-surprising approaches. We seek a positive journey in and out of grow platform.

Applicable

Portfolio teams are operating with restricted budget of grow platform. We are following agile principles and allow flexibility and pragmatism. We ensure to be ready to ramp down.

Valid

Criteria are covering required success factors such as an attractive business plan, strong market success, progress and fast iteration, as well as a strong team.

Objective

Decisions made are evidence based, rely on data, regular dialogues, and feedback.

Reliable

We aim to be as exact as possible by a set of well-balanced criteria from grow platform start-up expertise and experience.

Project funding