Porsche increases its investment in technology provider companies

[Jose.]

Porsche increases its investment in technology provider companies

It's amazing how the level of technology used in vehicles grows day by day in a huge way. Well, such is the degree of techniques used that in many cases the manufacturers themselves are being overrun by what they have to resort to other companies, many of them serve as startups, to be able to emerge and stand out from the competition.

The above has not only generated technological suppliers are more, but the assembly companies are creating partnerships with small businesses focused on this area. There are even those who have taken a step further and are making part of them by acquiring shares or buying them in full.

An example of this is Porsche that has increased its total investment in venture capital activities by $ 175 million dollars over the next five years, with the objective of accessing new technologies and business models for the future. These investment activities carried out by "Porsche Ventures" are largely based on the investments the company has in existing startups.

As a strategic investor, the German brand is targeting business models related to customer experience, mobility and the digital lifestyle, as well as in future technologies such as artificial intelligence, the block chain, as well as the virtual and augmented reality. Through its venture capital activities, the manufacturer of sports vehicles is trying to invest in new companies that are in a start-up and growth phase.

Among the latest investments made by Porsche Ventures corresponds to a stake in the startup "Gapless". This new company allows customers to digitally manage their classic vehicles and share information with other users in a secure format that prevents counterfeiting. To offer this service, the startup is developing a solution based on block chain technology, designed to maintain or increase the value of collector's pieces. Gapless is currently in the founding phase and has nine employees.

Porsche Ventures has also recently invested in the WayRay technology company, which develops and produces holographic augmented reality head-up displays, and is working on the ability to integrate virtual objects into the driving experience.

In addition, the manufacturer of Stuttgart has shares as a strategic investor in startups Anagog, Miles and home-iX, as well as the sports car and technology company Rimac.

Along with direct investment agreements, Porsche invests in venture capital funds such as e.ventures, in Europe and the United States, as well as in the Magma and Grove funds, in Israel.