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SAP.iO NO BOUNDARIES

Ensuring all innovators are empowered to start-up and scale with SAP

SAP.iO No Boundaries is the first comprehensive inclusive entrepreneurship initiative in the business software industry.

As a steward of purpose-driven innovation, SAP recognizes our duty to be intentional about how we invest in and scale our ecosystem of software startup partners. We know that driving inclusive entrepreneurship in the enterprise software and VC industries can accelerate innovation, reduce bias, and drive better outcomes.

In 2019, we launched SAP.iO No Boundaries, the first comprehensive inclusive entrepreneurship initiative for underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs in the business software industry. We pledged to scale SAP.iO Foundries with a focus on inclusive entrepreneurship and set an ambitious target of supporting at least 200 startups founded or led by underrepresented entrepreneurs by 2023.

In July 2022, we achieved this goal six months ahead of schedule. The 200 startups comprise 44% of our portfolio and represent 51% of the exits in our portfolio, 50% of the unicorns in our portfolio, 42% in cumulative VC raised by startups in our portfolio, and have a greater likelihood to progress in their partnership with SAP.

2028 Commitment

By 2028, 45% of our portfolio companies will be founded or led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. We will continue being intentional about how we scale our ecosystem by prioritizing startups founded or led by people whose share of VC funding in the technology industry is proportionally less than their share of the population (women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, etc.) as well as adding geographical representation as a sourcing focus.

Recent News

Follow our journey as we further embed inclusion in SAP’s culture, in the cultures of customers and in the startups with which we engage.

ArticleInclusivenessInterview
August 24, 2023

SAP Leverages Its Massive Network to Uplift Diverse Startup Founders

Almost 90 percent of global financial and goods flows touch an SAP system. That kind of reach is almost unthinkable — and the tech giant wants to put it to work…
BlogInclusivenessFeatured
June 7, 2023

Supporting LGBTQ+ Founders and Fostering Inclusion in the Tech & VC Industries

By Max Kahn, Director, SAP.iO As an out and proud leader at SAP, I couldn't be more excited to celebrate Pride Month and recognize the inspiring LGBTQ+ individuals who've made…
HR & People EngagementInspiring InnovatorsFoundriesInclusiveness
May 11, 2023

Inspiring Innovators: Alex Lamb Chief Executive Officer and Founder of BOLDLY-Get A Couch, On Being BOLD

At SAP.iO, we work with innovators and new technologies that positively impact our world every day, and we think it’s time to share their stories with you! In our series,…
PressInclusiveness
April 1, 2023

Check out our progress: 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Report

SAP’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Office has launched the 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Report. The report provides a transparent view of the progress made and highlights some of the key…

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