Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please introduce yourselves briefly!
Lamin Ben Hamdane: Infineon is among the top 10 largest semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. Major product areas include sensors, microcontrollers, power electronics, and hardware security. Our team acts as a central explorer, initiating collaborations with startups for Infineon to create win-win situations and new business for both sides. We are based at our headquarters in Neubiberg. We also have teams in Silicon Valley and Singapore that work intensively with startups. We generally address topics that are the focus of the divisions and operations. Through these close connections, we also increase the likelihood of a long-term, sustainable collaboration. Finally, it is important to mention that we are not a corporate VC, meaning we do not invest in startups.
Munich Startup: What innovations are you looking for?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: At a high level, we distinguish between collaborations that are relevant to the divisions from a business development perspective. Here, we are looking for startups that develop innovative hardware. Relevant areas include energy efficiency and electromobility, human-machine communication, and IoT. These are just a few applications where we can enable startups to develop their solutions more quickly with our product portfolio of power, sensor, and security solutions. We are also interested in software startups that have expertise in embedded software or artificial intelligence and can enhance our products with software-enabled features.
On the other hand, there are collaborations on the operations side to optimize internal processes and save costs. Examples include the use of a startup's solution in semiconductor production, key to Industry 4.0. Specifically in this area, we tend to target late-stage startups.
Infineon is looking for new applications for existing products
Munich Startup: But you can do it much better yourself!
Lamin Ben Hamdane: We remain a tech company with a strong focus on semiconductor development and production. Where we lack expertise is in the growing number of new applications for our products. One example is fast charging for electric vehicles. We want to better understand system innovations in these areas and gather feedback on our products. For example, how can these be integrated into a system solution, and what challenges arise? In the area of embedded software, we're also happy not to have to develop everything in-house!
Munich Startup: What matters more: the business model, the novelty of the idea or the team?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: We primarily look at a startup's field of activity, which must align with one of our focus topics. In an initial conversation, we also get a sense of the team's expertise and maturity. Finally, it's also important to understand how motivated the startup is to work with us!
Munich Startup: What does your collaboration with startups look like? What do you focus on?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: Typically, after extensive scouting, there is an initial introductory conversation. If a match has been made between Infineon and a startup, further milestones such as a PoC (Note: Proof of Concept) or a joint demonstrator. Infineon offers, for example, free product samples or a certain level of technical support. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable business relationship. This can take the form of an R&D or go-to-market partnership, a customer relationship, or a supplier relationship.
“The collaboration greatly expands our solution space for innovation”
Munich Startup: What have you, as an established company, learned from the startups?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: From a technical perspective, we've already learned a lot about our products on the systems side and received a lot of feedback. Furthermore, we've gained insights into various fields of innovation and identified new trends. What innovations are emerging, for example, in the area of energy storage? What requirements are placed on our products in this area? Does our current product portfolio fit, and how are startups coping with it? Of course, we also see how agile and fast startups are moving; after all, they need to bring a product to market quickly and then scale it. I don't think we can adopt this way of working as a corporate company, but the collaboration expands our solution space for innovation enormously!
Munich Startup: Which startups have you worked with so far?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: Numerous collaborations have already been established. Some examples here in Europe are: Stable, Toposens or LuminovoGlobally, we have activities in Silicon Valley (collaborations, for example, with Blumio or Oculii) or in Singapore with our Co-Innovation Space (e.g. Ampotech, Xnergy).
Munich Startup: At what stage do startups ideally approach you?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: Here, too, a distinction can be made between startups that are relevant to our divisions and those that are relevant to our operations. Especially when collaborating within our divisions, we often talk to early-stage startups that are developing an initial prototype and are often still in the seed phase. However, there are no strict upper limits here. In contrast, startups that offer solutions for our operations should already have a finished product on the market, meaning they should have completed at least one Series A financing round.
“Startups become customers, suppliers or R&D/G2M partners”
Munich Startup: What happens next with the startups after they have been with you?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: After an initial meeting and mutual interest, the first step is technical cooperation. We jointly define an initial project lasting a few months. The result can be a proof of concept or a demonstrator. Infineon supplies relevant components along with technical consulting. This can then lead to a joint go-to-market strategy. In the longer term, the collaboration can lead to a lasting business relationship. Startups become customers, suppliers, or R&D/G2M partners.
Munich Startup: The best advice you can give a startup?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: It's very helpful for us if the startup considers potential synergies in a collaboration and why Infineon would be a good partner. Then a certain amount of patience is required, because it takes time to find the right contact internally who might be interested in the startup and to gather feedback.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Lamin Ben Hamdane: We have the cooperation initiative Inno.Wafer We've created a platform specifically targeting startups. Here, you can find detailed information and fill out an application form, which provides us with initial insights into potential synergies. We then contact the startup with the right contact person.
