The building materials giant was also named the winner of the competition's Special Award: CVC to deploy Sustainable Construction.
Cemex says the accolades are recognition by the ICC and Mind the Bridge for working towards world-class open innovation and sustainability practices, as well as for fostering corporate and startup collaborations globally.
According to the ICC and Mind the Bridge, the Corporate Startup Stars were created by the European Commission in 2016 to recognise Fortune 500 and Forbes 2000 corporations with a comprehensive methodology of open innovation to leverage new technologies and support startups. In 2017, Cemex established Cemex Ventures, its open innovation and corporate venture capital unit (CVC) as a vehicle that seeks to invest in, accelerate, and partner with the most innovative, sustainable, and promising startups to drive the construction industry revolution.
“Fostering innovation, one of Cemex’s core values, is a fundamental aspect of our company culture and central to our commitment to our customers and communities in which we are present,” said Gonzalo Galindo, head of Cemex Ventures.
Alberto Onetti, chairman of Mind the Bridge, commented: "Our recognition of Cemex reflects their dedication to pioneering sustainable construction. Cemex Ventures aims to integrate the latest sustainable construction technologies and disruptive business models into Cemex's core operations with the goal of revolutionizing traditional cement production.
"Cemex Ventures' investments go beyond purely financial motivations. Some examples are HiiROC's cost-competitive hydrogen energy solution to replace fossil raw materials, the solar energy startup Synhelion, and the cleantech Carbon Upcycling. Cemex Ventures’ open innovation activities also include connecting new technologies with publicly funded innovation initiatives as in the case of the EU grant for the implementation of WtEnergy’s novel waste-to-fuel technology at the cement plant in Alicante."
