SAP.iO

SAP.iO serves as SAP's strategic business unit dedicated to fostering external innovation, operating primarily through two key pillars: SAP.iO Foundries and SAP.iO Venture Studio. Headquartered in San Francisco, with a global network of Foundries, its overarching mission is to help startups and innovators build, integrate, and scale solutions that complement SAP's vast enterprise software ecosystem. This strategic alignment ensures that new technologies and business models can seamlessly integrate with SAP's platforms, providing enhanced value to its extensive customer base.

The SAP.iO Foundries are a network of global accelerators designed to support early-stage startups, typically from seed to Series A, that are developing solutions relevant to SAP's customers and technology. These programs are often "no equity, no fee" for participation, offering startups invaluable access to SAP's technology, APIs, mentorship from SAP experts, and direct engagement with SAP's global customer base and sales teams. Since its inception, SAP.iO Foundries has successfully accelerated over 500 startups worldwide, providing them with the necessary resources and connections to scale within the enterprise market.

Beyond acceleration, SAP.iO also acts as a strategic investor, providing capital to promising companies that demonstrate strong synergy with SAP's long-term vision. While the accelerator programs themselves are often equity-free, SAP.iO strategically invests in companies, frequently those that have graduated from their Foundries or are otherwise deeply aligned with SAP's product roadmap. These investments are typically made in seed to Series A rounds, aiming to deepen partnerships and facilitate co-innovation. To date, SAP.iO has invested in over 100 startups, underscoring its commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of innovative enterprise solutions.

SAP.iO's unique model combines the benefits of an accelerator with the strategic backing of a corporate venture arm. It prioritizes the creation of mutual value, leveraging SAP's market leadership and technological infrastructure to help startups achieve significant growth, while simultaneously enriching SAP's own offerings and market reach. This approach positions SAP.iO not just as a capital provider, but as a crucial partner for startups looking to make a substantial impact in the enterprise software landscape.