Brussels: Toyota Motor Europe has introduced Toyota Open Labs, a pioneering open innovation platform that aims to unite startups with various business units across the Toyota ecosystem. The goal of this initiative is to amplify innovation efforts and drive the automotive industry into the next era of mobility. This program will aid Toyota’s transformation into a mobility-focused company by augmenting its proficiency in crucial domains like energy, circular economy, carbon-neutral technologies, smart communities, and inclusive mobility initiatives.
Focus on Key Categories
Toyota Open Labs has been unveiled with a call for startups operating in five primary categories:
Energy: Innovations in energy transition, hydrogen economy, grid management, energy optimization, smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid energy transfers.
Circular Economy: Technologies and systems facilitating the recovery, recycling, and reuse of vehicles and batteries.
Carbon Neutrality: Solutions for reducing carbon emissions, along with digitalization for transparent life cycle assessment.
Smart Communities: Novel business models and solutions for fostering smart communities through vehicle sharing, subscriptions, and mobility hubs.
Mobility for All: Equitable mobility solutions to break barriers, enhance mobility systems, mobilize low-carbon communities, cater to the needs of aging populations, and design universally accessible solutions.
Collaborative Partnership
Collaboration is at the core of Toyota Open Labs, with partners that include Toyota Tsusho Europe, the trading and supply-chain division of the Toyota group, KINTO Europe, Toyota’s mobility brand, Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth-stage venture fund, and Toyota Mobility Foundation, a non-profit entity established by Toyota.
Empowering Startups
Startups selected through the open call process will gain access to a diverse network of advisors and mentors. This opportunity aims to facilitate business growth, refine strategies, explore investment options, implement informed product enhancements, and build relationships that can create a global impact.
Participants will have the chance to create a Proof of Concept in collaboration with Toyota, explore market routes, and integrate within the Toyota ecosystem. Each participant will receive developmental guidance and the chance to showcase their technology at a Demo Day during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Kylie Jimenez, SVP People, Tech & Corporate Affairs at Toyota Motor Europe, highlighted the platform’s significance for startups focused on sustainability and mobility challenges. She emphasized Toyota’s commitment to creating innovative mobility systems on a global scale.
George Kellerman, VP of Investments & Acquisitions at Woven by Toyota and Managing Director of Woven Capital, expressed excitement about partnering with startups to transform their early-stage ventures into scalable solutions, tackling critical mobility and sustainability issues.
Miguel Fonseca, CEO KINTO Europe, underscored the platform’s alignment with KINTO’s mission to accelerate Toyota’s mobility-focused transformation. He welcomed external partners to contribute to this fundamental transition.
Laurent Gallois, Head of Business Development at Toyota Tsusho Europe, stressed the importance of sustainability and circularity in the ever-evolving landscape. He emphasized the support provided by Toyota Open Labs to cultivate unique ideas and momentum within the Toyota Tsusho group.
Monica Perez Lobo, Director Toyota Mobility Foundation Europe, highlighted the foundation’s vision to create a better mobility society and its commitment to collaborating with startups to build an inclusive, sustainable, and carbon-free future.