About Bosch Business Innovations

Since 1886, innovative Bosch products and solutions have been sparking enthusiasm, improving quality of life, and helping to conserve natural resources.

At Bosch Business Innovations (formerly grow platform), we aim to contribute to a strong and meaningful development as well as financial independence of our company. In times of constant change, we identify and shape new markets and industries, thereby preserving Bosch's entrepreneurial freedom.

At a glance: Bosch Business Innovations

Ownership, portfolio data, global ecosystem — key figures at a glance (as of February 2024)

100% Bosch

as a fully-owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH

64% average revenue growth of portfolio

generated year-on-year for active portfolio since 2019

7 business innovations

are currently part of the global funding portfolio

8 innovation hubs

across the Americas, Europe Middle East Africa, and Asia-Pacific

'Invented for life' represents both purpose and business for us. While we navigate change for the better, we strive to broaden our DNA into new markets and industries.

Accelerator-style venture building

Bosch Business Innovations applies accelerator-style venture building structured into comprehensive stages. This approach focuses on rapidly transforming innovative ideas into scalable businesses by leveraging internal and external expertise, resources, and global ecosystem partners.

From generative AI and augmented idea validation to market expansion, we provide hands-on support, funding, and strategic guidance to help early-stage ideas move from concept to long-term success, ensuring sustainable growth and impact in competitive business landscapes.

Venture capital mindset

Bosch Business Innovations allocates funding in strategically defined investment portfolios, thereby applying a venture capital (VC) mindset.

The ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees entrepreneurial independence while enabling us to undertake dedicated upfront investments in the safeguarding of our future. As a result, we increasingly utilize Bosch private equity. In addition, we aim to consider partnerships or investments with external start-ups and external capital in individual cases.

Global ecosystems

Bosch Business Innovations unlocks opportunities internally and externally. Our global network can access every key market worldwide, enabling us to scale and expand businesses in a wide range of regions simultaneously.

Backed by diverse global competences of the Bosch Group as well as external ecosystems, we open up access to competitive resources, creating predominantly added value for our investment portfolios.

What we do

At Bosch Business Innovations, we identify, accelerate, and scale business ideas – from early-stage to industrialization.

As an end-to-end innovation facilitator, we drive new business building in defined investment areas and portfolios, ensuring strategic fit for the Bosch Group. Shaped by continuous learning and development, we guide idea owners and intrapreneurs throughout all stages from idea validation and go-to-market to scaling.

Learn more about our methodologies and innovation phases.

How we work

Building new businesses from scratch is a complex challenge requiring diverse skills and dynamics. With full-scale support, we kick-start strategies and operations in all domains together.

Whether you need a business partner, operational side-kick, strategist, mentor or coach, we support you in building your business - from engineering and product development, commercial or legal issues, to team and cultural development.

Hands-on support

Scouting external technologies and start-ups in global ecosystems is essential for us to stay at the forefront and adapt to rapidly changing markets. With our Startup Harbour program we aim to foster mutual co-innovation, learnings, and trusted collaborations.

Explore our gateway to external ecosystems.

Visit the Bosch Startup Harbour

Where we come from

2012:
Bosch creates New Business Teams in Brazil and China to accelerate new business innovations.

2013:
The Bosch internal initiative RADAR from the United States, New Business Teams from India, and the Robert Bosch Start-up Platform (later renamed grow platform) from Germany follow the mission.

2014:
Additional initiatives from Japan called FUJI as well as the German program CERES kick-off their activities.

2019:
grow platform GmbH is established to combine all six innovation hubs into one global network with common objectives and strategy.

2020:
The ASEAN region, headquartered in Singapore, Bosch Africa with two locations in Kenya and South Africa, as well as the Middle East join the grow platform network.

2021:
Coming out of the Bosch North America's business development department, the region officially opens their grow platform Innovation Hub North America. Later the legal entity Bosch grow platform LLC is established.

2025:
The grow platform organization with its eight international innovation hubs was transformed into Bosch Business Innovations. In addition, the expanded unit consolidates Bosch's external Startup Harbor program, opening a second German office in Berlin.