In an era defined by economic headwinds and market volatility, Bosch is demonstrating bold conviction in the power of innovation. The global supplier of technology and services has announced a new €250 million fund through its venture capital arm, Bosch Ventures, aimed at fuelling disruptive startup technologies across artificial intelligence, energy efficiency, and deep tech.
The fund, unveiled alongside Bosch’s 2024 annual results, reaffirms the company’s commitment to long-term innovation and strategic collaboration with startups. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management at Robert Bosch GmbH, said, “Our investments in startups promote technological progress in business and society. Startups can boost innovation in a way that delivers important growth impetus for a country’s economy. That is why we want to remain a reliable partner for the startup sector worldwide, even in an adverse business environment.”
Deep Tech With Purpose
Bosch Ventures, established in 2007, is one of Europe’s largest corporate venture capital firms and is well-recognised for backing deep-tech startups—those rooted in scientific breakthroughs or advanced engineering. With this new fund, the focus sharpens on technologies that promise to improve quality of life while aligning with Bosch’s core mission of sustainability and digital transformation.
According to Ingo Ramesohl, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH, “We invest in particular in deep-tech startups. These young companies have great potential to bring about fundamental market change.”
A Global Lens, A Local Touch
To uncover such transformative technologies, Bosch Ventures maintains a global presence in key tech hubs—Shanghai, Stuttgart, Tel Aviv, Boston, and Sunnyvale—ensuring close ties with local startup ecosystems. Each year, the venture team screens over 2,000 startups, with just six to ten eventually selected for investment. Beyond capital, Bosch offers operational expertise and access to a global network.
The emphasis is not only on identifying promising companies, but also on fostering co-creation. The Open Bosch program, launched in 2018, plays a vital role in this. It integrates startups early with Bosch’s operating units, offering them fast-track access to becoming customers, suppliers, or co-innovators. In turn, Bosch gains early exposure to cutting-edge technologies. “This win-win partnership enables Bosch to strengthen its innovation efficiency,” Ramesohl noted. The program has facilitated hundreds of collaborations to date.
Proven Portfolio, Global Reach
Bosch Ventures currently holds a portfolio of over 60 active investments, spanning sectors and continents. From quantum computing and AI semiconductors to battery recycling and autonomous vehicles, the breadth of its backing reflects Bosch’s long-term vision for technological transformation.
Highlights include:
- IonQ – the first publicly listed quantum computing firm
- Xometry – a global on-demand marketplace for industrial parts
- Aleph Alpha – a German AI startup competing in the large language model space
- Quantum Motion – a U.K.-based innovator in quantum architectures
- Arduino – the renowned open-source electronics platform
- Jin Sheng – a Chinese battery recycling firm
- TrunkTech – an autonomous commercial vehicle tech provider
- Syntiant and Motive in North America, focusing on AI-powered edge computing and fleet management
The Bigger Picture
While the world navigates inflation, tightening capital, and geopolitical tensions, Bosch is placing long-term bets on ideas that could define the next decade of mobility, automation, and clean technology. The new fund is more than a financial gesture—it’s a signal to the startup ecosystem that deep tech is still worth building, and Bosch is willing to help build it.
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