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Porsche China Innovation Accelerator 2024 launched in BeijingPioniergeist – be part of Porsche China Innovation Accelerator!

• The Porsche China Innovation Accelerator demo and networking event was successfully held in Beijing as a prelude to the Beijing Autoshow.
• The event featured 13 local start-ups, as well as participation of senior management rep-resentatives from Porsche AG and Porsche China, heads of corporate innovation and venture capital from Volkswagen Group brands and other ecosystem partners.
• The Porsche China Innovation Accelerator is entering its third year following its remarka-ble achievements previously.

Shanghai/Beijing. On 24 April, on the eve of the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show, Porsche, together with 13 local start-ups, and in collaboration with innovation ecosystem partners EV GOVERSEAS, GeekPark, and Plug and Play, successfully held an innovation demo and networking event in Beijing's 798 Art District. The event aimed to connect Porsche with the ecosystem partners as they gathered for the Beijing Auto Show, demonstrate the technology ingenuity of Chinese start-ups, as well as to promote the Porsche Pioniergeist spirit and the project results from the Porsche China Innovation Accelerator since it was established in 2022. Representatives from Porsche AG participated in the event and experience a variety of innovative technology applications. The event has also drawn participants from over 30 organisations, including representatives from Porsche China, Porsche Digital China, Porsche Ventures, Volkswagen Group brands, and innovation leaders from automotive OEMs, suppliers, and other consumer industries, capital investment firms, China ecosystem platforms, and academia.

Ms. Katrin Voelkel, Vice President Procurement Electric Electronics & Smart Mobility of Porsche AG, said that “Since the ‘China In Day’ event we hosted in Germany last March I have been eagerly looking forward to meeting Chinese start-ups. At the momentous time of the Beijing Auto Show, today’s event has impressed me again with the energy, speed, and ingenuity of Chinese innovation.”

The event also featured 13 Chinese start-ups that demonstrated their solutions in creative marketing, intelligent in-car experiences, robotics, and new materials, including two in-car projects incubated by the Porsche China Innovation Accelerator.

Porsche China Innovation Accelerator, an engine to open innovation

As the organiser of the event, Porsche China Innovation Office is committed to introducing Chinese technology trends and start-ups to Porsche AG, incubating China-signature innovation projects, and promoting open innovation by establishing a wide network of partners within the Chinese ecosystem. In 2022, Porsche China inaugurated the "Porsche China Innovation Accelerator" programme to anchor the Office’s activities. It strengthens innovation investment in the Chinese market and promotes local innovation development by systematically and strategically selecting and incubating cutting-edge technologies with the greatest local innovative projects that reflect the requirements of the Chinese market.

Last year, through the "China In Day" event organised by Porsche AG and the "Porsche China Innovation Day" hosted by Porsche China, the start-ups and projects of the Porsche China Innovation Accelerator have not only received great attention from the senior management of Porsche, but have also received strong support from the brand in media coverage, access to automotive players, and introduction to venture capitalists.

To date, the programme has incubated 16 proof-of-concept projects in Porsche China, 6 of which were later piloted and commercialized, and two start-ups received strategic investments from Porsche Ventures. In addition, within the program period, 3 of the incubated start-ups have successfully secured external financing, ranging from Pre-A to A++ round, with a total amount of over RMB100 million.

Ms. Janice Tsang, Head of Porsche China Innovation Office, added that: "Pioniergeist is the DNA of Porsche. We are proud that the Porsche China Innovation Accelerator has transformed many dreams of the country’s entrepreneurs into reality. We are continuously searching for innovative products and solutions to add into the Porsche portfolio. We heartily welcome new Porsche Pioneers to join us.”

About Porsche China

Porsche was founded by Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1931 and was then transformed into a sports car manufacturer by Ferry Porsche in 1948. Porsche has been known as one of the most prestigious automobile brands in the world for decades. True to the core brand value of performance, Porsche leads the way in providing a new generation of sports cars that prove performance and efficiency can be perfectly combined.

Since entering the Chinese mainland in 2001, Porsche China has been dedicated to bringing the sporty genes and innovative spirit of the marque to Porsche enthusiasts in this dynamic market. In Porsche’s network in China, customers can experience the unlimited appeal of Porsche’s iconic sports cars: the legendary 911 series, the renowned 718 Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, the luxurious Cayenne premium SUV, the dynamic and pioneering Macan SUV, the luxurious four-door Panamera with pure sports genes and the all-electric Taycan with four-door sports saloon. Each demonstrates excellence in performance, exquisite design, and consistent commitment to perfect quality that Porsche embodies. Across Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, there are now 155 sales sites in operation, ensuring that Porsche customers across the country receive the hallmark personalised care that sets Porsche apart around the world.

For more information or enquiries, please visit us at www.porsche.cn or scan the QR code below to log into Porsche China Newsroom:

5/29/2024

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