The family-owned business aims to invest in startups in robotics, predictive analytics, autonomous logistics and next-generation energy solutions.
German family-owned warehouse logistics firm Jungheinrich has launched a corporate VC unit, Uplift Ventures. The unit will invest in and build its own ventures in areas beyond its core business.
“The group is also opening up to new markets and customer groups and is continuing to drive forward the digital transformation in logistics,” it said in a release about the launch of the investment unit.
Uplift Ventures will invest in startups innovating in the areas of AI-based optimisation of supply chains and material flows, robotics, autonomous logistics systems, sustainable energy solutions, digital platforms and solutions related to the circular economy and sustainability.
The CVC is independent of the parent company to give it “maximum entrepreneurial freedom and agility to consistently rethink innovative business models,” said Lars Brzoska, CEO of Jungheinrich, in a release.
The CVC unit will be led by two managing directors – Kerk Wichmann, who has worked at the parent in corporate strategy and business development roles for the past several years, and Christina Mayer.
The team will initially focus on venture building by developing and scaling its own startups.
“Our goal is to identify new potential at a very early stage, scale attractive business models outside of our current core business, and thus contribute to Jungheinrich’s long-term success,” said Wichmann in a release.
