‘Toyota Open Labs’ launched

Toyota Motor Europe along with four Toyota business groups – including Toyota’s growth venture fund Woven Capital – has launched a major new initiative to scale start-ups in Europe.

It’s called “Toyota Open Labs” – a new open innovation platform designed to support start-ups in their ambitions to scale up and contribute to a sustainable future and lead the market into the next phase of mobility, providing start-ups with exposure to global expertise and scale.

Toyota Open Labs launches with an open call for start-ups ready to commercialise their ideas in the areas of energy, circular economy, carbon neutrality, smart communities, and “Mobility for All”.

Energy includes the hydrogen economy, grid balancing, energy management, smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid energy transfers; the circular economy includes recovery, recycling, and reuse of vehicles and batteries; smart communities features vehicle sharing, subscriptions, and mobility hubs; while “Mobility for All” targets fair-value solutions to overcome mobility barriers, strengthen mobility systems and mobilise low-carbon communities, addressing the needs of an aging society and devising universal designs for all users.

Toyota Open Labs partners include Toyota Tsusho Europe – the trading and supply-chain arm of the Toyota group; Kinto Europe – the Toyota group’s mobility brand; Woven Capital, and Toyota Mobility Foundation.

Start-ups selected during the open call will have an opportunity to engage with a diverse network of advisors and mentors, open new avenues of growth, enhance their business strategy and investment opportunities, make informed product enhancements, and build relationships to help make a global impact, says Toyota.

Participants will have the possibility to develop a proof of concept with Toyota, explore routes to go to market, and partner up with the Toyota ecosystem, the company adds.

Each participant will receive development support and the opportunity to showcase their technology at a Demo Day during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

“If you are a start-up focused on solving tomorrow’s sustainability and mobility challenges, Toyota Open Labs is the right place for you,” says Toyota Motor Europe people, tech and corporate affairs senior vice president Kylie Jimenez.

“Toyota is developing mobility systems that will sustainably reinvent how we live, work, and play on a global scale,” she adds.

“Toyota Open Labs represents a unique opportunity to turn bold startup visions into reality through unparalleled support from our innovation ecosystem.”

Solving mobility and sustainability challenges are critical issues that deserve to be on the world’s biggest stages, says Woven Capital managing director George Kellerman.

“Europe’s vibrant innovation ecosystem in these areas presents immense potential, and we are excited to partner with start-ups to help transform their exciting early-stage ventures into scalable solutions.”

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles and parts and accessories, as well as Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations.

It aims to achieve 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles in Western Europe by 2035 and will continue to offer a full range of electrified powertrains to customers across the region with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles.

Click here for more information on Toyota Open Labs.