Innovation Hub - Your Entry into the Kaufland World
Welcome to Kaufland's Innovation Hub, the platform for innovative collaboration! As Kaufland, we not only want to drive the retail sector forward, but also change the entire industry with innovations and interdisciplinary projects. That is why we regularly invite start-ups, young and established companies to become part of our vision and to shape the future of retail together with us.
At Kaufland, we have always has a strong culture of innovation and exchange with other organizations and service providers - across all businss areas. The fruitful work with start-ups and innovative companies enables us to develop innovative business ideas and pass them on directly to customers - be it through sustainable packaging solutions, new high-qualit food or a dynamic market presence. Start-ups bring a breath of fresh air to the industry and inspire us to always break a new ground.
Do you have an innovative solution,a new product or an exciting technology? Or are you working on a groundbreaking project for example in the area of digitalization, that offers our company Kaufland added value? Then we may soon be able to shpe the food retailing of the future together as part of our innovation hubs.
Our Innovation Hub is aimed at start-ups that have developed product innovations or innovative technological solutions for the food retail market. Markus Speck, Head of Kaufland Business Development
Visionary ideas for sustainable growth
The start-up challenges in the Kaufland Innovation Hub are targeted programs with which we identify creative ideas, technologies and developments that advance our company and the entire industry. Whether sustainable solutions, digital transformation, innovations in logistics or new ways to approach customers - we are looking for partners who will set new standards with us.
Each challenge offers you the opportunity to contribute your know-how in a targeted manner and to discuss ideas and concepts directly with experts, to develop them further and to put them into practice. We offer you the opportunity to test your innovations and projects on a large scale. In order to receive funding, your start-up's innovation must go through an application process.
This is how it works:
- Select challenge
- Submit application
- Sighting and selection
- Invitation to pitch
- Cooperation & implementation
Nudging for conscious product decisions
Our goal.
With an innovative approach to customers, we want to encourage our customers to make more conscious and healthier food choices. Sustainable alternatives should come to the fore.
Our expectation.
Ideally, the nudges can be linked with each other along the shopping list - from the shopping list to the loyalty program.
Healthy product innovations
Our goal.
We want to supplement healthy and innovative products in the Kaufland assortment in order to offer our customers healthy assortment modules.
Our expectation.
For us, healthy products mean product alternatives with optimized ingredients (such as less sugar/salt/fat, fewer/no additives, high wholemeal/fiber content, high proportion of vegetable proteins/protein blending, etc.), production from waste products.
Start-up founders, innovators, trendsetters: you are in demand!
At Kaufland, we are always looking for innovative and actionable ideas in our focus areas. Regardless of whether you develop solutions in our focus topics or in other areas - we want to get to know your ideas! A start-up that has the courage to change and is ready to take big steps together with our company is exactly the right place for us.
What you’ll receive
With the Innovation Hub, we promote creative start-ups, young and established companies and make it easier for you to enter the food retail sector. With our cooperation, we combine new ideas with existing resources and thus jointly create new solutions for the future. This is what happens after you have submitted a product, innovative retail concept or other solution:
- The innovation team checks your innovation and coordinates with the responsible department.
- After a successful initial check, your start-up will receive feedback as to whether your solution has been classified as relevant.
- If your innovation fits a current problem, we will contact you and further detailed checks will take place.
- Your company will be included in the platform of the Schwarz Group companies. In this way, we can also refer to it and work together on future projects.
- After a successful detailed check, we test the innovation together in a store or within the process. This is followed by a decision as to whether we will pursue the solution.
For a successful collaboration
Our values form the foundation for collaborating with start-ups. They reflect our commitment to innovation, collaboration and sustainable success. Discover which principles drive us and how we shape the future together with you.
- Collaboration on an equal footing
- Quick feedback on your solution
- Access to expert knowledge and joint further development of your solution
- Lean piloting of your solution to gain experience
The joint pilot project with Kaufland not only gave us valuable feedback and enabled us to keep improving our product, but we also established a long-term collaboration. Simon Hecker, Co-Founder & Managing Director 4.screen
Do you have any questions? We are here to help you.
Do you have any other questions about our Innovation Hub for start-ups or do you just want to find out more in general? Here, you will find our frequently asked questions (FAQs) and a list of all the key information for a successful collaboration.
General questions about the Innovation Hub:
What are the prerequisites for participating in the Innovation Hub?
What are the prerequisites for participating in the Innovation Hub?
Your innovative product or your submitted solution should already be in use or be sufficiently advanced to enable a 3-6 month test listing or pilot to be carried out in the market in the foreseeable future.
Your solution should have an innovative unique selling point, ideally fit into one of our focus areas, and attach importance to quality and sustainability. Obviously, you should also be enthusiastic about your idea.
Does this apply to you and your start-up? Then go for it! Fill out the form and send us an inquiry within just 15 minutes!
How will the collaboration work?
- Present your solution to us online and join the Schwarz Group’s database of start-ups. We’ll contact you to find out about your solution in more detail.
- We’ll also be in close contact with the various Kaufland departments. If your solution fits one of our focus areas or a specific problem, we’ll launch a PoC with our specialists, where we can test your innovation under real conditions.
- The results of this PoC will determine whether we continue our collaboration. If the pilot is successful, the solution will be scaled up to other stores and countries.
We understand the innovative strength and flexibility of start-ups and will cooperate as equal partners.
You will find an overview of our focus areas here.
How long will it take to get a response to my inquiry?
Your inquiry will be submitted via the Schwarz Group’s start-up platform. You will be sent feedback within four weeks, following an initial assessment by the innovation team and the relevant department.
What does the program offer?
Once your start-up’s product or solution has proved relevant for us and we are working on a joint project together, you will be given regular feedback. However, not every start-up will be offered coaching.
Our Innovation Hub also doesn’t offer any co-working space, but you can contact Campus Founders in Heilbronn. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides co-working spaces.
Does the Innovation Hub provide co-working space?
No, we don’t provide that, but you can contact Campus Founders in Heilbronn. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides co-working spaces.
Does the Innovation Hub also offer special coaching?
Once your start-up’s product or solution has proved relevant for us and we are working on a joint project together, you will be given regular feedback. However, coaching isn’t offered to every start-up.
What costs can I expect?
The start-up program is completely free of charge for you, because there are benefits for both parties.
