The venture arm of Bosch has introduced a new $270 million fund, continuing its tradition of investing in deep-tech startups. Notably, Bosch Ventures now plans to allocate more resources to North American startups.
Established in 2007, Bosch Ventures is currently operating its sixth fund. While technically a global firm, the corporate VC is increasingly focusing on North America.
This strategy might appear contradictory, considering the region is affected by U.S. administration policies that have resulted in a trade war with China, a volatile stock market, and recession concerns. However, Ingo Ramesohl, Bosch Ventures’ managing director, informed TechCrunch that the deal flow in North America is stronger than ever.
Ramesohl observed high levels of positive energy, stating that innovation and disruption are ongoing, making it an opportune moment for new investments.
The firm, which has offices in Silicon Valley, Boston, Germany, Tel Aviv, and China, usually invests between $5 million and $10 million. Ramesohl mentioned that the firm plans to make 20 to 25 investments from this fund.
Referring to the continuation of previous successful funds, Ramesohl highlighted that the firm remains focused on automotive, climate tech, cybersecurity, semiconductor manufacturing, energy efficiency, and enterprise software. Generative AI, particularly in its application to the physical world such as manufacturing, is also prioritized.
While not solely focusing on generative AI, Bosch has emphasized AI since at least 2017 when it established the Bosch Center for Artificial Intelligence. By the end of 2023, all Bosch products were developed or produced using AI, according to Ramesohl.
He noted that generative AI is transforming the industry, enabling new businesses and innovations, with the most promising AI applications seen in operations.
