Konnect is the Open Innovation Hub of the Volkswagen Group, founded in 2018 and based in Tel Aviv


Konnect is the Open Innovation Hub of the Volkswagen Group, founded in 2018 and based in Tel Aviv


We scout for deep tech Israeli startups and match them to our 12 Volkswagen Group Brands, based on technological needs and use cases.
Using our local tech expertise, we scale projects and collaborations in the fields of Smart mobility and Industry 4.0.
With a lean team and a startup mindset, we drive 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.

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.
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.
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.
Konnect 2020 in Numbers
We are proud to share 'Konnect 2020 in Numbers', a high-level overview of this year’s achievements and topics.
For the full post, follow the link
How can OEM’s and startups collaborate?
“A startup is not a supplier and needs a different treatment to make collaboration work.”
Stephanie Vox, Konnect’s Managing Director, shared her insights on the challenges and opportunities of global OEM- startup cooperation in a master class at the Automotive Procurement Forum digital edition. Konnect’s role is to work on a ‘FastTrack’ for onboarding and collaboration between the startups and the Group, to quickly test and integrate technology.
Click here to learn more
Open Innovation @ the Volkswagen Group
Konnect is part of the Volkswagen Group global open innovation community.
Check out their website to see the latest updates on open innovation activities within the Group and Brands.
Konnect 2020 in Numbers
We are proud to share 'Konnect 2020 in Numbers', a high-level overview of this year’s achievements and topics.
For the full post, follow the link
How can OEM’s and startups collaborate?
“A startup is not a supplier and needs a different treatment to make collaboration work.”
Stephanie Vox, Konnect’s Managing Director, shared her insights on the challenges and opportunities of global OEM- startup cooperation in a master class at the Automotive Procurement Forum digital edition. Konnect’s role is to work on a ‘FastTrack’ for onboarding and collaboration between the startups and the Group, to quickly test and integrate technology.
Click here to learn more
Open Innovation @ the Volkswagen Group
Konnect is part of the Volkswagen Group global open innovation community.
Check out their website to see the latest updates on open innovation activities within the Group and Brands.

“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

In her previous roles, she has been driving the digital transformation within the Volkswagen Group with a special focus on digital marketing and innovation.
Stephanie has extensive experience in working with all of the Group’s Brands, and was responsible for establishing a strong innovation community and the first cross-brand innovation Hub in Munich. Prior to this, Stephanie held roles in Group Marketing Communication and Group Procurement. Stephanie is a German citizen who has lived in the United States and Japan. She holds an MBA from University of Osnabrück and studied abroad at the University of Yokohama.

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 own 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.

Since serving in the IDF Spokesperson unit, Shelly has worked in several roles as a public relations and communication specialist.
Shelly has experience in event management for international conferences in the startup ecosystem, such as DLD Tel Aviv . Shelly holds a BA in Political Science and East Asian studies from Tel Aviv University and has also studied Mandarin in SWUFE University in China.

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.

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 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.

She is an experienced HR & Welfare admin with a background
in talent acquisition, administration, employee welfare, event planning and
marketing.
Talia holds a BA in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Ben Gurion
University.

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.
Our Group Brands

OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN THE ISRAELI MARKET

