STMicroelectronics (ST) is taking a full-scale step forward to become an innovative company in the automotive industry of the future.

ST announced on the 26th that it has joined as an Anchor Partner of 'Startup Autobahn', which selects promising startups and introduces them to mid-sized technology companies to drive innovation in the automotive sector.

Startup Autobahn is nurtured and managed by Plug and Play, a mid-sized Silicon Valley accelerator and investor that has connected over 35,000 startups to over 400 companies.

Startup Autobahn's anchor partners include major automotive brands and various automotive technology companies. In line with its strategic focus on Smart Mobility, ST aims to create new opportunities for startups with innovative ideas related to electrification, e-mobility, and smart and connected driving.

Sascha Karimpour of Plug and Play welcomed ST to the program, saying, “We are delighted to welcome ST to this platform as a strategic partner. This partnership fits perfectly into our existing ecosystem and spans the entire automotive value chain. “The semiconductor industry has recently been driving innovation in automotive technology, and will play an increasingly important role as software and IT become increasingly important in the future of automobiles,” he said.

“Joining Startup Autobahn expands ST’s commitment to fostering technologies that will redefine the automotive world of the future by making transportation safer, greener, and more connected,” said Alessandro Cremonesi, ST’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We look forward to exploring new product concepts and discussing how to invest and realize them.”

Startup Autobahn regularly hosts events that connect corporate partners with selected startups. These include in-depth presentations, one-on-one introductions, cross-collaboration days, and private meetings between partners and selected startups. A biannual expo showcases the results of these collaborations, and keynote speeches and presentations are also held by leaders from various industries and invited guests.

The program is already successfully connecting startups with established brands to enable powerful new concepts in areas such as battery charging, supply chain and materials management, smart mobility, efficient manufacturing and recycling, and corporate CO2 reduction.