Bridgestone Mobility Solutions joins Startup Autobahn as ‘anchor partner’

The new partnership will allow the company to scout a network of 30,000 start-ups to pilot future joint technologies

Bridgestone Mobility Solutions has become and “anchor partner” of Startup Autobahn, a mobility-focused innovation network. Moderated by Silicon Valley global open innovation platform, Plug and Play Tech Center. Startup Autobahn brings together industry-leading companies and startups to identify new ideas and develop cutting-edge technologies in the mobility sector. The Stuttgart-based platform brings together more than 30,000 start-ups and around 30 corporate partners, of which the Bridgestone EMIA data-driven fleet, tyre and mobility solutions business unit is now one. Startup Autobahn provides workshops, events, business development and investment opportunities to facilitate innovative networks in mobility technology.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, CEO of Bridgestone Mobility Solutions (Photo: Bridgestone)

“Partnering with Startup Autobahn is an important step in our strategy to drive continuous innovation and business progress”, says Jan-Maarten de Vries, CEO of Bridgestone Mobility Solutions. “Joining this high-quality network of pioneers, entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers, we are looking forward to jointly working on new ideas and technologies that will contribute to a safer, more efficient and sustainable future.”

Digital transformation strategy

Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ purpose is to support and accelerate the tyre manufacturer’s digital transformation into a sustainable solutions company. It wants to help customers and partners take advantage of the data-based insights, convenience, and maximum efficiency offered by new technologies. The Bridgestone EMIA business unit serves a wide range of the digital mobility solutions’ portfolio of the company, including Europe’s leading fleet management solution Webfleet.

Sascha Karimpour, managing director at Plug & Play Germany and a co-initiator of Startup Autobahn, said: “Bridgestone, known as one of the leading tyre and rubber companies worldwide, is accelerating its digital solutions business which fits perfectly with Startup Autobahn’s end-to-end value chain of mobility partners. Their diverse portfolio in fleet, tyre and data solutions will bring new opportunities and great value to our platform.”

As a new ‘anchor partner’ of the Startup Autobahn platform, experts in Bridgestone Mobility Solutions’ innovation team will scout relevant start-ups across the network, focused on different innovation areas such as electric mobility, smart city solutions and smart tyre technologies. In this role, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions wants to identify joint value propositions, work on pilot projects, and develop them into market-ready solutions to add value for customers and society.

“The Mobility sector is going through massive transformation and innovation is a critical piece of our strategy towards sustainable growth”, states Franck Leveque, vice president strategy & incubation at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions. “Engaging in Startup Autobahn’s open innovation platform not only allows us to support start-ups and explore new and disruptive models in the mobility ecosystem, but also offers a unique opportunity to establish an ongoing dialogue with a network of interesting and relevant industry partners.”