Startup Management

Startups develop new technologies and disruptive business models, and are drivers of digitalization. In the past, some industries had to learn how important it is to act ahead of time to address potential future developments and issues. There aren't many companies that can meet this challenge alone. This makes it all the more important to engage in active exchanges of ideas with innovative startups and a network of like-minded people - as we do in the CREATORS Space – powered by Drees & Sommer.

Our Scouting team identifies and evaluates high-potential startups worldwide and initiates further collaboration with Drees & Sommer. Startup Scouting is carried out in response to requests from the company, in response to specific customer needs and on the basis of tech areas and trends.

Forms of collaboration – Startups

Drees & Sommer actively promotes collaboration with startups, in order to integrate innovative solutions and fresh ideas into our projects. We engage in a wide range of collaboration options offering many opportunities for startups to network and to work with us to create added value for our customers.

USE OF STARTUP SOLUTIONS IN CUSTOMER PROJECTS

Drees & Sommer offers startups the opportunity to take part in projects if they can provide solutions that offer specific added value. This produces synergies that can lead to progress for both our projects and those of the startups.
JOINT CUSTOMER APPROACH AND PROJECT

If the solutions offered by startups are complementary to those of Drees & Sommer and create added value for the customer, we will approach new projects jointly. This leads to win-win situations for all involved.
PILOT PROJECT

Drees & Sommer launches pilot projects for the purpose of validating the effectiveness of new products. A successful validation is mandatory before any of these products can be used in everyday working life or recommended to our customers.
STARTUP INVESTMENTS

Drees & Sommer invests in startups that are a good strategic match and contribute to optimization of our core business or complement it effectively. We distinguish between minority interests (< 50%) and majority interests (> 50%).
NETWORK AND ECOSYSTEM

We actively involve startups in trade fairs, meet-ups and pitches. This helps startups to network, not only within Drees & Sommer, but also with our customers and partners.
STARTUP FOUNDING / VENTURE BUILDING

Drees & Sommer develops innovative business models that are strategically relevant and establishes them on the market.
HACKATHON AND ACCELERATOR

Let's try combining all our innovative skills! Drees & Sommer organizes innovation formats such as Hackathons or Accelerators. Startups are very welcome at these events. This is how exciting new ideas are developed within the shortest possible time, and can then be elaborated further.
JOINT VENTURE

Drees & Sommer enters into joint ventures to make use of complementary expertise. The jointly managed company offers added value, not just for Dreso internally, but also for customers.
STARTUPS AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Startups are inspiring! Drees & Sommer invites startups to internal events to provide impetus and inspiration. This gives the startups an opportunity to network directly with our specialist departments.

ON TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY: DREES & SOMMER INNOVATION -SCOUTING REPORT

Although structured trend research is already established in other sectors of the economy, it isn't widespread in the construction and real-estate industry at this point. Drees & Sommer regularly engages with major cultural and technological trends that are influential for the industry of today and of tomorrow. We summarize our results annually in the Innovation Scouting report, and use a variety of methodologies to substantiate them.

Innovation Scouting Report 2024

The Drees & Sommer Innovation Scouting Report 2024 is focused on the trend of AI in the construction and real-estate industry, which is still topping the trend radar. Drees & Sommer has recently developed AI Hype Cycles, which shows the stages in the real-estate life cycle reached by selected candidate startups. Interviews were conducted with AI startups for this purpose, to highlight potential applications of AI technology, its acceptance and degree of development.

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Innovation Scouting Report 2023

The Drees & Sommer Innovation Scouting report 2023 includes consideration of the neo-ecology trend and the three most pertinent technology trends of today: AI (Artificial Intelligence), Big Data Analytics, and IoT (Internet of Things). We present four examples of applications from the startup scene, to illustrate specific solutions. These examples from Prop- and ConTechs provide support with strategic alignment of innovation activities.

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VIDEO INTERVIEW: INNOVATIONS BOOSTED BY PILOT PROJECT WITH IMERSO

Drees & Sommer is a leader in innovation, relying on collaboration with startups, among other things. A current example of this approach is their cooperation with Imerso, the international startup, which offers X-ray imaging of construction site progress, using its new software, facilitating direct comparison with the BIM model. The video shows the features of the platform, and the ways in which Drees & Sommer technology is used.