Fast Facts

• Founded: 2017
• Startups Accelerated: 90
• Programs Run: 12

The Team

Delivering Maximum Impact and Value

“In 2023, the SAP.iO Berlin team successfully concluded two programs, culminating in the celebration of corresponding Demo Day events. The Future of Work demo day was an invite-only on-site event featuring Sabine Bendiek (CHRO & COO of SAP) and key customers. Our Public Sector demo day was a fully virtual event, accessible to a wider audience. While recognizing the substantial benefits of in-person connections, we understood that a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable. Our commitment lies in delivering maximum impact and value, achieved through identifying the most effective approach tailored to the target industry and the startup solutions within our programs. We aspire to continually grow and learn from each opportunity, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.”

– Monika Ruzickova

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2019
• Startups Accelerated: 78
• Programs Run: 8

The Team

Working Towards a Sustainable Future

“In 2023, we finalized our Industry 4.0 program and proudly witnesses the graduation of ten exceptional startups. Meanwhile, we were preparing a program dedicated to sustainability and energy management. The landscape of sustainability and green energy has evolved from a mere concept to a well-established reality. The startup market is a vibrant hub, enthusiastically presenting great solutions. At SAP.iO Foundry Munich, we are proud to work with companies who are solidifying the vision of a future where sustainability is not just a goal but a core value.

We were also lucky to host our first Industry X lunch at the world’s biggest automotive fair ‘IAA’. We welcomed 40 participants, and it was fantastic to see so many passionate corporate innovators and startups come together to explore the future of mobility across industries. We are planning to continue such events in 2024 to drive customer success.”

– Sina Fraenkle

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2018
• Startups Accelerated: 89
• Programs Run: 10

The Team

In-Person Moments

“My fondest memory of the year 2023 was a two-day, in-person workshop to launch our 6-month SAP.iO Paris program. Until now, this had always taken place over several weeks and virtually. Having everyone in the office in person for the first time elevated the energy and motivation levels to an entirely new dimension. This event once again proved that it is definitely worthwhile to have certain meetings in person. The European startup ecosystem, much like in other parts of the world, is deeply affected by the numerous tragic events that happened in 2023. Nevertheless, I see in this transformation a great opportunity, as it will ensure that only the technologies and solutions that are truly sustainable will prevail.“

– Odilia von Zitzewitz

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2018
• Startups Accelerated: 71
• Programs Run: 11

The Team

Innovation Powered by the Human Connection

“Despite the backdrop of economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions, the tech ecosystem witnessed remarkable breakthroughs in 2023, fueled by the revolutionary GenAI boom. This year underscored the unwavering spirit of founders, reinforcing that the tech landscape is fundamentally about the people who shape it. We learned that more than ever, innovation thrives in adversity and that human connection is the bedrock of our ecosystem. Together, we will keep making a lasting impact on the future of technology, driven by the unstoppable human spirit, and empowering the individuals around us.”

– Inbar Yacoby

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2017
• Startups Accelerated: 67
• Programs Run: 10

The Team

Exploring Startup Advancements

“In 2023, the CX Demo Day, the opening of the San Francisco office, and the first SAP.iO event during SF Tech Week were by far the fondest memories. We had the opportunity to meet with several of our alumni and startups with whom we have been working, as well as dozens of customers and investors. SAP.iO is leading the way in exploring innovative startup advancements, and I could not be more excited to showcase our partnership with some of the most innovative Generative AI startups, shaping the future of customer experience.”

– Domitilla Caputo

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2018
• Startups Accelerated: 72
• Programs Run: 10

The Team

Shaping the Digital Supply Chain Landscape

“Our Digital Supply Chain cohort’s success was a 2023 highlight. These startups are developing innovative solutions that extend SAP’s value for our customers, such as improving supply chain risk visibility and leveraging AI for virtual mapping. SAP.iO is committed to fostering diversity in the startup ecosystem, as evidenced by our Digital Supply Chain cohort. With 6 out of 10 startups led by underrepresented founders, we’re shaping an inclusive innovation landscape.“

– Sherry Li

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2022
• Startups Accelerated: 16
• Programs Run: 2

The Team

Collaborating to Foster Inclusion

“SAP.iO LAC had the privilege of collaborating with one of its most diverse cohorts to date, comprising startups from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Brazil. This incredible group and their innovative FinTech solutions present an opportunity for SAP’s customers to make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of people, fostering financial inclusion for new populations and driving economic growth. It is exciting to witness how we are supporting SAP’s mission to make the world run better and improve people’s lives through the development of cutting-edge solutions in the Latin America and Caribbean region.”

– Edwin Gonzalez

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2020
• Startups Accelerated: 36
• Programs Run: 4

The Team

Enabling Customers to Reimagine Business

“Over 60% of SAP customers in the Indian sub-continent have a stronger interest in leveraging an open innovation ecosystem to achieve innovation goals. Our customers look at SAP.iO as an extension to their innovation team. Our structured approach to drive PoCs, best practices, and robust ‘outside-in’ perspective helps align management teams on their biggest levers for growth. In 2023, we have enabled marquee customers of SAP to engage with multiple startups to reimagine business processes.”

– Aravind Govindan

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2019
• Startups Accelerated: 66
• Programs Run: 10

The Team

Expanding in Southeast Asia

“Despite 2023’s plunge in Southeast Asia’s VC funding, foreign capital is still flowing into the region’s startup ecosystem. Coupled with the presence of VC dry powder and favorable demographic factors, this provides a ray of optimism for 2024. Startups are moving beyond the consumer space and solving difficult problems like Climate Change. I had an opportunity to speak at a conference in South Korea and it is so invigorating to meet many high-quality Korean startups that remain under the radar! Korean startups are eager to expand into Southeast Asia and the reverse is also true for Southeast Asian startups. This augurs well for 2024 where we can bring more innovation to SAP customers in both Southeast Asia and South Korea!”

– Steven Tong

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2019
• Startups Accelerated: 38
• Programs Run: 8

The Team

Developing SAP’s Next Cloud Partners

“SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo has experienced significant growth this year. Particularly notable is the increase in the number of startups with a clear Value Proposition that have joined our ecosystem, resulting in an increase to our pipelines and wins. Additionally, I am proud to share that three startup solutions have been newly certified as Industry Cloud partner solutions. It’s also encouraging that we now have more startups capable of clearly differentiating themselves with SAP solutions, providing further cutting-edge technologies to SAP customers. Our team will continue collaborating with SAP Japan’s SET members very closely and continue to foster innovation both inside and outside of our organization.“

– Maya Sasaki

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2022
• Startups Accelerated: 30
• Programs Run: 5

The Team

Cross-Border Collaborations for the Win

“Reflecting on 2023, my fondest memory is undoubtedly the launch of our Taiwan pop-up program. The excitement and energy from the Taiwanese entrepreneurial community was palpable, it was an honor to foster cross-border exchanges and collaborations, and witness how this program enabled startups to grow and scale internationally. One of the most significant lessons learned was the importance of agility and resilience. We saw firsthand how critical it is for startups to be adaptable in the face of change. Our experience in China underscored this, as we navigated new terrain and worked closely with our customers to ensure the program’s success.

We observed many startups leveraging advanced technologies to drive impactful solutions. Furthermore, the trend towards Environmental, Social, and Governance continued to gather pace, with startups integrating these principles into their business models more than ever. This shift is indicative of a maturing ecosystem, cognizant of its role in shaping a sustainable future. The lessons from 2023 have informed our approach moving forward, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

– Qiao Li

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2021

The Team

Establishing SAP Datasphere for AI and Advanced Analytics Startups

Throughout 2023, the SAP BTP Startup Program continued to support startups in identifying innovative data use cases and onboarding them as data providers on the SAP Data Marketplace. Additionally, a joint prototype with the SAP.iO startup Explorium.ai showcased the importance of combining external data with proprietary business data to support decision-making and gain a broader perspective on the market and industry. The team now moves on to address the challenge of “time to data” by utilizing structured data models developed in SAP Datasphere to seamlessly integrate data into AI and advanced analytic startup solutions.

Fast Facts

• Founded: 2022
• Startups Supported in 2023: 27

The Team

Fostering Even Stronger Collaborations

“Concluding our second year of operations, the SAP.iO Rising Stars team soared in 2023, supporting 27 partners and witnessing remarkable growth in SAP Store deals compared to the previous year.  This year we focused on how we optimize our processes, tactics, and the way we do portfolio and business development. We developed and tested new ways to generate leads in collaboration with SAP account teams, increased the value we gain from global events like NRF and Hannover Messe, and we improved the exposure we get from publishing content like articles, blogs and thought leadership reports. Moreover, in 2023, we were able to grow the team, expanding our presence into the APJ region. This expansion significantly enhances our ability to support partners in the APJ and China markets, fostering stronger collaborations and empowering more partners within these regions.”

– Lior Weizman

Fast Facts

• Launched: 2018
• Startups Founded or Led by Underrepresented Entrepreneurs: 45%

Doubling-Down on Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Now that we have achieved our initial goal, we plan to build on our momentum. By 2028, we want 45% of our portfolio to be comprised of startups founded or led by people whose share of venture capital funding in the technology industry is proportionally less than their share of the population. This is up from 40% in 2018.