28.06.2018

Factsheet

Business/economy

Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC)

Headquarters Robert-Bosch-Platz 1 70839 Gerlingen, Germany Locations Stuttgart office (DE) Frankfurt am Main office (DE) Tel Aviv office (IL) Sunnyvale affiliate office (USA) Shanghai affiliate office (CN) Associates Approximately 30 worldwide Management Dr. Ingo Ramesohl, managing director Philipp Rose, managing director Company RBVC 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 volume Current 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). Holdings RBVC currently holds equity in over 35 companies worldwide. Network RBVC 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 investor RBVC 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 investmentsExtract 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.