LafargeHolcim launched a plan to scale up its access to innovative construction solutions through collaborating with entrepreneurs.
The Start-Up Accelerator will offer young companies on-site accommodation and the use of the facilities at its Research & Development Center in Lyon, France, to develop, test, and market their solutions in construction and urban planning.
The project is building on LafargeHolcim’s existing experience of working with start-ups in areas that include sustainability, innovative construction systems or digital and its extensive partnerships with customers, end-users, and research facilities worldwide.
Gérard Kuperfarb, group head of growth and innovation, LafargeHolcim said: "With the Start-up Accelerator we are making a commitment to support young companies specializing in construction materials and construction solutions. We can offer them a sophisticated laboratory environment and access to years of experience in creating and applying building materials in thousands of projects and challenging environments around the world.
"In return, we believe that the start-ups will bring new ideas and new solutions that will change the face of construction in the coming years. We are committed to looking for new solutions for our customers so having the opportunity to bring new ideas together with our own R&D will be invaluable."
The Start-Up Accelerator will be open to entrepreneurs from around the world and will not only offer them access to offices, laboratory equipment and testing facilities at the industry’s leading R&D Center. They will also benefit from the Group’s network of technical experts and its commercial and market experience across all continents. As part of the project, LafargeHolcim is also planning to partner with other companies to extend innovation projects along the construction value chain. The first young companies are expected to join the facility in mid-2017.
