Sainsbury’s Innovation Investments (WAE Technology Ventures Ltd)

Sainsbury’s has committed to investing £1 billion towards becoming a net zero business by 2035.

While 70% of this target can be achieved using existing solutions, a 30% gap remains where new technologies and solutions need to be identified, tested and deployed.

Sainsbury’s Innovation Investments (S2I) – working with WAE – embraces the need for these groundbreaking net zero technologies.

Sainsbury’s Innovation Investments will invest in early-stage companies who are developing new and disruptive technologies that can support Sainsbury’s net zero goals.

We will look to deploy at least £5m over 4 years with initial investments up to £500k with potential to expand further. The retailer can lead or coinvest alongside other investors.

As part of the investment Sainsbury’s will trial the technologies within its operations with potential for wider estate roll-out across its 1,500 national sites.

Companies will also benefit from WAE’s investment experience receiving technology development, product, manufacturing & supply chain guidance, and introductions to WAE’s partners and co-investors.

Investment Criteria:

  • European headquartered companies or companies with a European base
  • Technologies that have the potential to be deployed across Sainsbury’s operations
  • Post “proof of concept” stage
  • Pre- or post-revenue
  • Pre-seed, Seed or Series A stage
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