RESPOND

Advancing Solutions that RESPOND to Global Challenges

RESPOND

RESPOND

Advancing Innovation from Idea to Impact

RESPOND is the BMW Foundation’s global platform for entrepreneurs developing solutions that create environmental, economic, and societal impact. We support leaders throughout the innovation lifecycle, with a focus on two pivotal stages of growth:

  • Early-stage startups with high-impact solutions ready to scale. Through our two RESPOND Accelerator programs, we support their development and validation.
  • Late-stage startups with advanced clean-technologies ready for commercial deployment. These ventures receive support through our RESPOND Scaleup program.
Our aim is to close the critical gaps that prevent clean-tech innovations from reaching the market. Through dedicated support, trusted networks, and global visibility, founders learn to navigate the path from first prototype to large-scale adoption.

Purpose, Vision, and Impact

Why RESPOND exists

The transition to an innovative and responsible economy is opening pathways for rapid progress in energy, industry, and urban infrastructure. While clean-tech innovation is accelerating worldwide, the path from product breakthrough to full market deployment requires alignment and collaboration. Too many promising ventures fall into the so-called “valleys of death”:  
  • When breakthrough products struggle to reach market deployment. 
  • When proven technologies fail to scale due to capital intensity, fragmented ecosystems, or slow market uptake. 
These gaps result in lost climate impact, reduced competitiveness, and missed opportunities to accelerate innovation across systems that shape daily life. RESPOND is designed to address these issues.
We run a six-month RESPOND Accelerator program focused on two critical challenges, empowering early-stage founders to develop solutions with relevance and impact for our shared future.

RESPOND ACCELERATOR Program

Guiding early-stage ventures from lab to market.

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RESPOND SCALEUP Program

Supporting scaleups on the path to global deployment

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RESPOND: 5 YEARS OF IMPACT

The RESPOND Impact Analysis is out now.

Download and read the full Impact analysis now.

Our Startups

98% of our startups recommend the program to fellow entrepreneurs.We are proud to work with some of the most innovative entrepreneurs addressing global challenges. RESPOND is all about supporting promising deep-tech solutions that contribute to a sustainable and equitable global economy.

Contact us

E-Mail respond@bmw-foundation.org

Verena is the RESPOND program manager at the BMW Foundation since 2020. Contact Verena if you have questions regarding the accelerator program or partnership opportunities.

RESPOND is a program by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting an innovative economy and a future-proof society. We feature startups and innovations as examples that contribute to a responsible and innovative economy. However, we have no financial interest in them and do not make economic recommendations.
How will you RESPOND?


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