VINCI Energies Expands Startup Cooperation in AI and IoT

VINCI Energies Germany is significantly expanding its cooperation with startup companies by launching the Digitalschmiede Startup-Radar initiative. The objective of the project is to identify startup companies across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland that can complement the VINCI Energies brands' service portfolio with innovative technologies and solutions.

As a system integrator, VINCI Energies aims for close collaborations with young companies. This enables the integration of their expertise into customer projects and creates an innovative ecosystem. The aim is to support customer companies with increasingly complex requirements. Currently, over 20 startup partnerships have been established, with Hellsicht and S O NAH mentioned as examples of partners.

According to a Bitkom study, 67 percent of established companies do not cooperate with startups, due to lack of time and budget constraints. VINCI Energies' Startup-Radar, developed in 2019, identifies promising companies that are expanding the digital offering, particularly in areas such as Smart Industry, Smart City, Smart Energy, and Smart Building.

"In the future, a company's value will not primarily be measured by its own products and original performance, but significantly by its ecosystem. Therefore, cooperation with startups is not just an option, but a necessity: those who want to be future-proof need competent, innovative partners by their side," explains Dr. Bernhard Kirchmair, Chief Digital Officer of VINCI Energies Europe East. He adds that success requires capable and innovative partners.

The advantages for startups in cooperating with VINCI Energies lie in the group's structure. The system integrator serves over 5,000 customers across all sectors, providing young companies with quick market access and the opportunity to scale their solutions. VINCI Energies also offers support in marketing, communication, and sales, as well as the possibility to participate in major technology trade fairs.