Sources: LafargeHolcim Ltd., Zurich; CP staff
LafargeHolcim will scale up access to innovative construction solutions through entrepreneur collaboration at the new Start-Up Accelerator facility in Lyon, France. Rising adjacent to the producer’s global Research & Development Center, it will enable young companies to test and market their solutions in construction and urban planning.
The facility builds on LafargeHolcim’s experience working with startups in such areas as sustainability, innovative construction systems or digital, plus extensive partnerships with customers, end-users, and research facilities worldwide. “We can offer [young companies] 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,” says Growth & Innovation Group Head Gérard Kuperfarb. “In return, we believe startups will bring new ideas and solutions that change the face of construction in the coming years.”
The Start-Up Accelerator will offer entrepreneurs from around the world the LafargeHolcim R&D Center infrastructure along with access to a network of technical experts, plus commercial and market perspectives 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 midyear.