SAP seized the day!

SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars is aimed at showcasing best practices and role model how the corporate-startup collaboration might benefit both sides. Mind the Bridge, together with Nesta, annually elaborates the “SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars” – a ranking of more ‘startup-friendly’ corporates in Europe.

This year, Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars revealed the list of 36 corporates who associate with startups across the continent. The event was held in Brussels.

“We need to maximize the potential of linking established corporations and start-ups across Europe, which is a clear win-win. The more that start-ups can access invaluable resources and market insight, the more established corporations can benefit from the exciting new innovations of our most talented innovators. It is this win-win scenario that we would like to achieve with the European Innovation Council, starting with the €2.7bn pilot phase that was launched just a few weeks ago that includes financial support for innovative SMEs and mentoring and coaching from experienced players” – commented European Commissioner Carlos Moedas.

“Open innovation is a must today for all established corporates either large and SMEs. However, it is hard to get it right – commented Alberto Onetti, Chairman Mind the Bridge, Coordinator Startup Europe Partnership (SEP), who moderated the Award Ceremony – We believe that the organizations doing this well should be recognized as trailblazers, and hope that they inspire others to follow suit. SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars is aimed at showcasing best practices and role models how the corporate-startup collaboration might benefit both sides.”

In 2016, Cisco was ranked the best to support startups in Europe and received the prestigious SEP award. In 2017, it is SAP followed by Telefonica and Virgin in the second and third place respectively.