BMW i Ventures

BMW i Ventures, established in 2011, is the corporate venture capital arm of BMW Group, headquartered in Mountain View, California. The company invests globally in innovative, high-growth technology startups that align with BMW's current and future business, focusing on areas such as electric mobility, autonomous driving, digitalization, and sustainability across manufacturing, transportation, and services. BMW i Ventures provides series A and B-stage investments, typically ranging from EUR 500,000 to EUR 10 million, to support these companies' growth and ensure real-world impact.

Marcus Behrendt

Managing Partner

Allen Chen

Senior Associate

Margret Dupslaff

Associate

Baris Guzel

Partner

Michael Hammer

CFO

Uwe Higgen

Managing Director and Managing Partner

Samantha Huang

Principal

Thomas Molleker

Associate

Thao Nguyen

Senior Associate

Sohaila Ouffata

Director of Platform

Kasper Sage

Managing Partner

Tom Springer

Analyst

Scott Walbrun

Principal

Past deals in Autonomous Vehicles

embotech

Series B in 2024
embotech AG, founded in 2013 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in developing software solutions for autonomous systems that focus on numerical optimization. Their flagship product, FORCES Pro, allows for the effective design of complex control systems by solving intricate optimization problems rapidly. The software has diverse applications, including the control of wind turbines, collision-free motion planning for autonomous drones, the enhancement of advanced driver assistance systems, and enabling precise landings for spacecraft on other planets, as well as the retrieval of reusable rockets. Embotech caters to various sectors, including automotive, energy, and robotics, positioning itself as a leader in creating advanced decision-making technologies essential for future autonomous systems.

May Mobility

Series D in 2023
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing and deploying autonomous vehicle technology to enhance public transportation systems. May Mobility operates a fleet of six-passenger electric shuttles that navigate through traffic using mapped and closed-loop routes. By analyzing city traffic and commuter patterns, the company identifies bottlenecks and optimizes transit routes for various communities. Its services aim to reduce human error in driving, lower pollution levels, and provide economic benefits to both communities and riders. Through its innovative approach, May Mobility seeks to create a safer, greener, and more efficient transportation environment.

Fox Robotics

Venture Round in 2022
Founded in 2017, Fox Robotics specializes in autonomous pallet workflows, enhancing safety and productivity in warehouses throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company develops and manufactures the FoxBot, the world's first autonomous trailer loader and unloader, which allows for the automated loading and unloading of trailers. Fox Robotics' self-driving forklifts significantly boost workplace productivity, reportedly increasing efficiency by two to three times. These forklifts are designed for seamless integration into existing warehouse systems, enabling businesses to automate their operations while also minimizing environmental impact.

AutoBrains

Series C in 2022
AutoBrains is a company specializing in automotive visual intelligence. Their platform is designed to enhance autonomous driving services by providing safer and more effective solutions. The technology is built on over 200 patents and employs signature-based representation structures along with unsupervised learning methodologies. This approach allows for a detailed understanding of the vehicle's environment, benefiting applications such as advanced driver assistance systems, mobility, and localization. Ultimately, AutoBrains aims to increase car safety and reduce casualties on global motorways.

May Mobility

Series C in 2022
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing and deploying autonomous vehicle technology to enhance public transportation systems. May Mobility operates a fleet of six-passenger electric shuttles that navigate through traffic using mapped and closed-loop routes. By analyzing city traffic and commuter patterns, the company identifies bottlenecks and optimizes transit routes for various communities. Its services aim to reduce human error in driving, lower pollution levels, and provide economic benefits to both communities and riders. Through its innovative approach, May Mobility seeks to create a safer, greener, and more efficient transportation environment.

Upstream

Series C in 2021
Upstream Security specializes in providing a cloud-based data management platform tailored for connected vehicles, focusing on automotive cybersecurity detection and response (V-XDR). The Upstream Platform converts highly distributed vehicle data into centralized, structured, and contextualized data lakes, enabling customers to develop applications for connected vehicles. This platform is enhanced by AutoThreat® Intelligence, the first automotive cybersecurity threat intelligence solution, offering industry-leading protection against cyber threats and actionable insights. These solutions are seamlessly integrated into customers' environments and vehicle security operations centers (VSOC). Upstream's clientele includes prominent automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers, safeguarding millions of vehicles globally.

AutoBrains

Series C in 2021
AutoBrains is a company specializing in automotive visual intelligence. Their platform is designed to enhance autonomous driving services by providing safer and more effective solutions. The technology is built on over 200 patents and employs signature-based representation structures along with unsupervised learning methodologies. This approach allows for a detailed understanding of the vehicle's environment, benefiting applications such as advanced driver assistance systems, mobility, and localization. Ultimately, AutoBrains aims to increase car safety and reduce casualties on global motorways.

Kodiak Robotics

Series B in 2021
Kodiak Robotics, Inc. is a technology company focused on developing autonomous systems specifically for long-haul trucking. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company specializes in autonomous vehicles, information technology, software, logistics, and robotics. Kodiak Robotics designs self-driving trucks that are capable of operating on highway routes, employing advanced sensor fusion systems and lightweight mapping techniques. By enabling vehicles to manage all aspects of highway driving, Kodiak aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs for businesses in the logistics sector.

AutoBrains

Series B in 2019
AutoBrains is a company specializing in automotive visual intelligence. Their platform is designed to enhance autonomous driving services by providing safer and more effective solutions. The technology is built on over 200 patents and employs signature-based representation structures along with unsupervised learning methodologies. This approach allows for a detailed understanding of the vehicle's environment, benefiting applications such as advanced driver assistance systems, mobility, and localization. Ultimately, AutoBrains aims to increase car safety and reduce casualties on global motorways.

May Mobility

Series A in 2019
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing and deploying autonomous vehicle technology to enhance public transportation systems. May Mobility operates a fleet of six-passenger electric shuttles that navigate through traffic using mapped and closed-loop routes. By analyzing city traffic and commuter patterns, the company identifies bottlenecks and optimizes transit routes for various communities. Its services aim to reduce human error in driving, lower pollution levels, and provide economic benefits to both communities and riders. Through its innovative approach, May Mobility seeks to create a safer, greener, and more efficient transportation environment.

Blackmore Sensors and Analytics

Series B in 2018
Blackmore Sensors and Analytics Inc. specializes in frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Lidar technology, providing advanced imaging and analytic tools designed to measure radial velocity at every data point. Founded in 2016 and based in Bozeman, Montana, the company focuses on enhancing the capabilities of Lidar systems through innovative software solutions. As of May 2019, Blackmore operates as a subsidiary of Aurora Innovation, Inc., expanding its reach and technological expertise in the field of sensor analytics and autonomous vehicle applications.

May Mobility

Seed Round in 2018
May Mobility, Inc. is an autonomous vehicle company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing and deploying autonomous vehicle technology to enhance public transportation systems. May Mobility operates a fleet of six-passenger electric shuttles that navigate through traffic using mapped and closed-loop routes. By analyzing city traffic and commuter patterns, the company identifies bottlenecks and optimizes transit routes for various communities. Its services aim to reduce human error in driving, lower pollution levels, and provide economic benefits to both communities and riders. Through its innovative approach, May Mobility seeks to create a safer, greener, and more efficient transportation environment.

Nauto

Series B in 2017
Nauto, Inc. is an artificial intelligence technology company based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in software solutions for autonomous and commercial vehicles. Founded in 2015, Nauto develops an intelligent driver safety system that utilizes an after-market dual-camera device to collect and analyze visual data in real-time, aiming to reduce distracted driving and prevent collisions. This system includes features such as GPS, wireless connectivity, and night vision support, allowing fleet managers to monitor driver performance and vehicle safety effectively. Nauto also offers VERA (Vision Enhanced Risk Assessment), a scoring system that rates the frequency and severity of distracted driving incidents. The company collaborates with strategic partners including Allianz Insurance, Toyota, and BMW, and has expanded its presence with subsidiary locations in Dublin, Ireland, and Tokyo, Japan. Through its innovative technology, Nauto enhances safety and productivity for fleets while contributing to the advancement of self-driving technology.

Nauto

Series A in 2016
Nauto, Inc. is an artificial intelligence technology company based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in software solutions for autonomous and commercial vehicles. Founded in 2015, Nauto develops an intelligent driver safety system that utilizes an after-market dual-camera device to collect and analyze visual data in real-time, aiming to reduce distracted driving and prevent collisions. This system includes features such as GPS, wireless connectivity, and night vision support, allowing fleet managers to monitor driver performance and vehicle safety effectively. Nauto also offers VERA (Vision Enhanced Risk Assessment), a scoring system that rates the frequency and severity of distracted driving incidents. The company collaborates with strategic partners including Allianz Insurance, Toyota, and BMW, and has expanded its presence with subsidiary locations in Dublin, Ireland, and Tokyo, Japan. Through its innovative technology, Nauto enhances safety and productivity for fleets while contributing to the advancement of self-driving technology.
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