Konnect is the Open Innovation Hub of the Volkswagen Group, founded in 2018 and based in Tel Aviv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGLFAw7spWQ
Konnect is the Open Innovation Hub of the Volkswagen Group, founded in 2018 and based in Tel Aviv
We, Scout, Evaluate and Test deep tech Israeli startups and Match to our VW Groups’ technological needs and use cases. With our local tech expertise, we Manage projects and Execute startup collaborations in the fields of Smart Mobility, Industry 4.0, and Cyber Security.
Our team is passionate about driving innovation and culture change into the Volkswagen Group and its Brands.
Connecting the Israeli ecosystem with the global Volkswagen Group Innovation network based in the US, Asia and Europe.
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Connecting the Israeli ecosystem with the global Volkswagen Group Innovation network based in the US, Asia and Europe.
STARTUP SCOUTING
STARTUP
SCOUTING
SCOUTING
Konnect is scouting Israeli technologies in early and mature stages, based on the needs and topics of the Volkswagen Group and Brands. With a deep understanding of the Israeli innovation ecosystem and technical expertise, our team evaluates the startups and matches them to key stakeholders in the Group.
TECHNOLOGY TESTING
TECHNOLOGY
TESTING
TESTING
Konnect is testing Israeli technologies and business models to integrate them into the Volkswagen Group Brands' future products and services. Our team manages the joint projects and PoC’s, in cooperation with the Group experts. To accelerate startup collaborations, Konnect provides guidance, fast onboarding for startups, and access to Group tenders via a local Regional Sourcing Office.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
Konnect is initiating business development activities, such as b2b meetings, startup competitions, workshops, and networking meetups. Volkswagen Group technical teams join Konnect in Israel regularly for 2-3 months and leverage further innovation projects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOW6ekbRlDI
Autonomous
Driving
Industry 4.0
Connectivity
Electrification &
Sustainability
Cyber
Security
In Cabin
Experience
Autonomous
Driving
Industry 4.0
Connectivity
Electrification & Sustainability
Cyber Security
In Cabin Experience
Konnect & CorrActions Test Day
In May 2022, during EcoMotion Community Week, the Israeli startup CorrActions, won the Konnect- Cariad Startup Challenge and received funding for a full PoC. The PoC was conducted three months later by the Konnect team in Israel and showed promising results. CorrActions is developing an advanced noninvasive brain-computer interface software platform. The platform reads subconscious movements to deduce the cognitive state of a person. The Konnect- Cariad POC validated the ability of the technology to identify driving under the influence by using existing vehicle sensors. The POC took place in a test track with 10 drivers who drove a Volkswagen AG test car, equipped with the CorrActions technology. To learn more about our test, check out the movie!
Konnect showcasing for the first time at IZB 2022
For the first time, Konnect hosted a live Startup stage at IZB- the biggest supplier's exhibition of VW Group, attended by 42,000 people. On stage, Dr. Astrid Wollenberg presented the unique open innovation model of Konnect and invited six incredible Israeli startups who work closely with Konnect. The team was also proud to visit one of its successful innovation projects with Apollo- a great example of a startup that became a direct supplier of VW Group brands. Visit the #izb2022 website to see Astrid's presentation & the startups' pitches.
PLANETech World: The First Climate Tech Conference in Israel
Konnect had the pleasure of partnering with the first Climate Tech conference in Israel, PLANETech, attended by 100 startups and hundreds of ecosystem leaders. Hemdat Sagi, Chief of Strategy and Business Development of Konnect, moderated a panel on Sustainable Mobility & Transportation. The panelists included industry experts who shared their views on the transformation and challenges of the Automotive sector to become a more sustainable and decarbonized industry. To watch the full panel click here.
Konnect & Cariad Startup Challenge 2022
Together with CARIAD, Konnect launched its 5th consecutive startup challenge, searching for solutions in Unsupervised Deep Neural Networks Training | AI Modules for ADAS & AD Segmentation | Driver's Health and well-being. The final startups pitch & winners announcement took place at the Ecomotion Week Innovation stage. CorrActions & LeddarTech both took first place. Each startup won 25,000€ funding from Konnect for a PoC with CARIAD.
Konnect – VWM Future Mobility Challenge
December 2021
A final pitching session, from 10 Israeli startups was held at the Konnect hub TLV, in front of a jury of the Konnect tech team, Porsche Digital, ŠKODA AUTO, and an expert team of VWN - who joined remotely. ADASKY & Right-Hear were the 2 winners, each receiving €25,000 for a PoC with VWN, sponsored by Konnect. Click to read more.
Konnect & CorrActions Test Day
In May 2022, during EcoMotion Community Week, the Israeli startup CorrActions, won the Konnect- Cariad Startup Challenge and received funding for a full PoC. The PoC was conducted three months later by the Konnect team in Israel and showed promising results. CorrActions is developing an advanced noninvasive brain-computer interface software platform. The platform reads subconscious movements to deduce the cognitive state of a person. The Konnect- Cariad POC validated the ability of the technology to identify driving under the influence by using existing vehicle sensors. The POC took place in a test track with 10 drivers who drove a Volkswagen AG test car, equipped with the CorrActions technology. To learn more about our test, check out the movie!
Konnect showcasing for the first time at IZB 2022
For the first time, Konnect hosted a live Startup stage at IZB- the biggest supplier's exhibition of VW Group, attended by 42,000 people. On stage, Dr. Astrid Wollenberg presented the unique open innovation model of Konnect and invited six incredible Israeli startups who work closely with Konnect. The team was also proud to visit one of its successful innovation projects with Apollo- a great example of a startup that became a direct supplier of VW Group brands. Visit the #izb2022 website to see Astrid's presentation & the startups' pitches.
PLANETech World: The First Climate Tech Conference in Israel
Konnect had the pleasure of partnering with the first Climate Tech conference in Israel, PLANETech, attended by 100 startups and hundreds of ecosystem leaders. Hemdat Sagi, Chief of Strategy and Business Development of Konnect, moderated a panel on Sustainable Mobility & Transportation. The panelists included industry experts who shared their views on the transformation and challenges of the Automotive sector to become a more sustainable and decarbonized industry. To watch the full panel click here.
Konnect & Cariad Startup Challenge 2022
Together with CARIAD, Konnect launched its 5th consecutive startup challenge, searching for solutions in Unsupervised Deep Neural Networks Training | AI Modules for ADAS & AD Segmentation | Driver's Health and well-being. The final startups pitch & winners announcement took place at the Ecomotion Week Innovation stage. CorrActions & LeddarTech both took first place. Each startup won 25,000€ funding from Konnect for a PoC with CARIAD.
Konnect – VWM Future Mobility Challenge
December 2021
A final pitching session, from 10 Israeli startups was held at the Konnect hub TLV, in front of a jury of the Konnect tech team, Porsche Digital, ŠKODA AUTO, and an expert team of VWN - who joined remotely. ADASKY & Right-Hear were the 2 winners, each receiving €25,000 for a PoC with VWN, sponsored by Konnect. Click to read more.
“The VW Group is such a huge organization, and the job that Konnect is doing is the difference between a successful or a failed project.”
Oded Rozenberg, CEO
“Connecting to the right stakeholders, who recognize our value and vision is not easy in a huge Group such as Volkswagen. Thanks to Konnect, we gained exposure within the Volkswagen Group and a real chance to help the company with the challenge of verifying high level ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles.”
Roy Fridman, VP Business Development & Sales
“The Konnect team has demonstrated a deep understanding of ADASKY’s technology and promoted our mutual interest to make cars safer for everyone. We are very proud and grateful for this partnership.”
Liat Arenson, Director of Business Development
“The VW Group is such a huge organization, and the job that Konnect is doing is the difference between a successful or a failed project.”
Oded Rozenberg, CEO
“Connecting to the right stakeholders, who recognize our value and vision is not easy in a huge Group such as Volkswagen. Thanks to Konnect, we gained exposure within the Volkswagen Group and a real chance to help the company with the challenge of verifying high level ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles.”
Roy Fridman, VP Business Development & Sales
“The Konnect team has demonstrated a deep understanding of ADASKY’s technology and promoted our mutual interest to make cars safer for everyone. We are very proud and grateful for this partnership.”
Liat Arenson, Director of Business Development
MEET OUR TEAM
Astrid has been working in the Volkswagen Group for more than 25 years in various roles and positions. From June 1st, 2021, Astrid is leading Konnect, VW Group Innovation hub in Tel Aviv.
In her previous roles, Astrid was a project manager for quality assurance in the VW AG factories in Salzgitter and Wolfsburg. In Salzgitter, Astrid managed the laboratory and was responsible for the purchased parts business for various engine assemblies.
In 2012 Astrid was appointed to be Head of Research in Metallic Materials and Manufacturing Processes in the VW Group Innovation. Astrid’s responsibilities include Generation and Implementation of research work and PoC’s, scouting innovative materials and new manufacturing processes, and Materials consulting. In addition, since 2015, Astrid serves as a mentor at Kompass- a mentorship program of the VW Group.
Astrid has a degree in Material Science and Engineering from the Technical University Merseburg, University Halle-Wittenberg, and a Ph.D. from the Technical University of Clausthal-Zellerfeld in Mechanical Properties of reinforced Aluminium alloys.
Hemdat is the Chief Business Development & Strategy at Konnect and has over 10 years of experience in senior managerial roles in the German and Israeli markets.
In her previous roles, Hemdat headed the Israeli branch of HY- the Axel Springer ecosystem firm, supporting German companies on digitalization and transformation projects.
In 2017, Hemdat established her consultancy firm and provided business development, technology scouting and strategic services to the Volkswagen Group and Audi AG in Israel.
Between 2012-2016, Hemdat served as a Commercial Attaché in the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, promoting the German- Israeli economic, business and innovation ties.
Hemdat is a lawyer by training and has a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Management from ESMT business school in Berlin.
Angie is steering Head of Procurement & RSO at Konnect, connecting suppliers to procurement departments and tenders in the Volkswagen Group.
Originally from Germany, Angie became a “Kibutznik” after moving to Israel over 30 years ago.
With more than 13 years of experience in working as the Israel representative for the Regional Sourcing Office of the Volkswagen Group, Angie holds extensive knowledge of the Israeli OEM supplier market.
Angelika holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the IHK Business School in Munich.
Maayan is in charge of scouting and project management at Konnect, with a special focus in the fields of Industry 4.0, smart mobility, sustainability and data analytics.
Prior to joining Konnect, Maayan served as an officer in an elite unit at the Israeli Air-force for 12 years, leading complex operations, technical projects, aerial planning, and management in various units.
Maayan holds an MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the IDC.
Nitsan is the Head of Research and Scouting, focusing on pre-development and mature startups in the automotive startup ecosystem.
Nitsan is a tech enthusiast and a real car lover, with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, working in various sales and journalism roles as well as development positions in Mobileye. Nitsan holds a B.sc in computer science and served at the IDF’s elite unit Talpiot.
Itai is an experienced security and information security manager, supporting all security topics of the Volkswagen Group in Israel as well as sourcing for innovative cyber technology for the Group Brands.
Prior to Konnect, Itai headed the corporate security at Champion Motors, the free importer of Volkswagen Group in Israel.
Itai holds a CISO diploma from the Technion, the Israel institute of technology, as well as a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the Open University of Israel.
Daria is in charge of administration and HR at Konnect.
With over a decade of administrative experience in both big corporations & small Fintech companies, Daria has wast experience in HR & Welfare, talent acquisition, administration, employee welfare, event planning and
With over a decade of administrative experience in both big corporations & small Fintech companies, Daria has wast experience in HR & Welfare, talent acquisition, administration, employee welfare, event planning and
Daria’s main role is to make things happen & provide 360-degree support to all team members of Konnect,
marketing.
Daria holds a BA in Political Science and Government from The Academic College of Tel-Aviv, Yaffo, Israel.
David is Konnect's Tech and Business Development Analyst; his main responsibilities are scouting and evaluating new technologies, managing projects, and assisting with business development activities.
Born and raised in Germany, David moved to Israel after his degree in International Business and gained professional experience in e-commerce and automotive Startups. David is especially passionate about connecting German corporates to the thriving Israeli startup ecosystem.
David holds a B.Sc. in International Business from Maastricht University.
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