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Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC)

Investments in tech start-ups

Trix Boehne

Trix Boehne

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HeadquartersRobert-Bosch-Platz 1
70839 Gerlingen, Germany
LocationsStuttgart office (DE)
Frankfurt am Main office (DE)
Tel Aviv office (IL)
Sunnyvale affiliate office (USA)
Shanghai affiliate office (CN)
AssociatesApproximately 30 worldwide
ManagementDr. Ingo Ramesohl, managing director
Philipp Rose, managing director
CompanyRBVC is the venture capital wing of the Bosch Group. As a tech investor, RBVC scours the globe for innovative start-up companies that are potential game-changers for entire industries. These companies can be at any stage of development. Its investment activities focus on technology companies working in areas that are relevant to Bosch, both now and in the future. RBVC also invests in selected independent venture capital funds that focus on a particular region or sector.
Fund volumeCurrent third fund: 150 million euros; former funds: 120 and 150 million euros (total investment per company in portfolio is generally between 5 and 15 million euros, in return for a holding of between 10 and 25 percent of equity).
HoldingsRBVC currently holds equity in over 35 companies worldwide.
NetworkRBVC also works with other venture capital funds, start-ups, and companies, as well as a network of universities and start-up accelerators, in order to identify new investment opportunities.

Investment strategy

Investment focus
  • Automation and electrification
  • Mobility solutions
  • Healthcare
  • Energy efficiency
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning
  • Internet of things (IoT)
  • Analytics
  • Disruptive computer architectures (hardware and software)
  • Augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR)
  • Blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies
Active investorRBVC acts as an institutional venture capital company in the international venture capital and investment market. RBVC uses its network within Bosch and beyond in order to help start-ups establish and scale new business models, and to help them ramp up industrial production.

Procedure

Investments
  • Initial finance (series A/B): 3–5 million euros
  • Further finance up to a total investment of 15 million euros
  • Selective injection of seed capital up to 0.5 million euros
  • Selective investment in other venture capital funds in order to build up international and industrial networks
Investment types
  • Equity investments in any currency
  • Investments in China in local currency (renminbi)
  • Bridge financing and SAFE notes
  • Token/cryptocurrency investments

Extract from the portfolio of companies

AImotive (HU)developing a new type of computer-vision system for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. This technology is based primarily on the analysis of camera images – but also radar and lidar signals – by means of AI processes. In addition to software, the company also supplies embedded hardware solutions and a simulation and verification package.
Graphcore (UK)developing a new type of processor known as the IPU (intelligent processing unit). Equipped with a completely new processor architecture, IPUs are specifically designed for the workloads of machine learning and artificial intelligence. IPUs can significantly accelerate AI applications in the cloud or data center.
IOTA (DE)developed the cryptocurrency IOTA on the basis of the Tangle protocol, which is related to blockchain technology. Its main area of use is for settling small due amounts in an M2M (machine-to-machine) environment – for, example, payments at a charge spot for electric vehicles.
Poka (CAN)developed one of the most advanced neuromorphic vision systems for machines, robots, and driverless cars. This solution is based on neural networks and uses extremely fast image sensors.
Prophesee (FR)developed one of the most advanced neuromorphic vision systems for machines, robots, and driverless cars. This solution is based on neural networks and uses extremely fast image sensors.
Sensoro (CN)produces beacons and wireless sensors for industrial applications. Its wireless sensor networks are used to provide environment data for IoT applications. They are both simple to operate and easy to monitor. Sensoro has already networked large cities and whole regions in China.

Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC) is the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group, a leading global supplier of technology and services. RBVC invests worldwide in innovative start-up companies at all stages of their development. Its investment activities focus on technology companies working in areas of business of current and future relevance for Bosch, above all, automation and electrification, energy efficiency, enabling technologies, and healthcare systems. RBVC also invests in services and business models that are relevant to the above-mentioned areas of business. Furthermore, RBVC enables co-innovation between Bosch and startup through the Open Bosch Program.

Additional information is available at www.rbvc.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 429,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). The company generated sales of 91.6 billion euros in 2023. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 90,000 associates in research and development, of which nearly 48,000 are software engineers.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com.

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