FAQ

We offer you the opportunity to develop your innovation in collaboration with ABB Robotics to prove your proposition and potentially get access to expert advice, new markets, customer relationships and revenues for successful collaborations

Sure. We love great ideas and encourage you take your idea and turn it into a start-up.

Yes, it certainly is. We know it takes time and effort to get a start-up off the ground and the journey can be long. Our focus is to offer those start-ups selected an opportunity to collaborate with ABB Robotics which can move them on to their next stage of development, whatever their starting point.

ABB Robotics is working with the venture development firm, Venturebright, based in London. Venturebright runs a range of challenges for corporate clients around the world. Contact us by phone or email.

Yes, we do. Previous applicants have come from across the globe.

Sure. You may have had funding to get you where you are today, but our focus is on successful collaborations with ABB Robotics.

Unfortunately, we can't provide ad hoc advice, working with the start-ups coming through the process takes up all our time. However, if your start-up or idea fits one of the current challenges on the site, please apply and if your idea gets taken forward, advice is part of the package.

When you refer someone to an investor, you're also recommending them, and you can't recommend people you don't know. If you're looking for investors, your best bet is to find friends of friends who've started or worked for start-ups and ask for introductions to their investors.

We would expect you to deliver a proof of concept for the key elements of your proposition. This may be in the form of a prototype or demonstration, perhaps software running on an ABB robot or hardware connecting to it. The aim is to prove your solution and ABB’s products can work together to achieve great outcomes for customers.

Many of the innovators who apply don't need investment. The real value comes in being able to gain access to our network of partners, customers and markets, and collaborating directly with some of the world’s biggest brands.

That’s OK, we'll still consider your application! The collaboration goal may then focus on an initial proof of concept.

We make collaboration decisions based on our application form and personal interviews. We love demos, and if you have a business plan, you are free to share it if you wish.

Yes, but the odds of being accepted are lower. A start-up is often too much work for one person alone.

We'll consider collaboration, but your chances are about ten times better if you find yourself a technical cofounder. It's much better if you find one yourself through friends of friends than if we introduce you to someone. Teams thrown together for the purpose of starting a start-up can fall apart under stress. You need some kind of personal connection.

Yes. You can submit them both.

No, we'll consider start-ups in any field.

No, we won't sign an NDA. No investor would at this stage. We ask that you do not disclose any confidential information in your application. Only provide information about your business which is either already in the public domain or which you are happy to share. If your pitch is successful and we invite you to collaborate, we’ll discuss terms and IP rights with you.

Unfortunately, we can't meet in person with every start-up – especially at present. Essentially the application process is the way to connect.

Unfortunately, we can't have conversations with everyone about their ideas. If you apply and we invite you to interviews, we'll certainly talk about your idea with you though.