Orange launches venture fund for digital and telecoms start-ups for €20Million (Euros)

Orange has earmarked €20 million (Euros) for an investment programme called Orange Digital Ventures which will fund start-ups “working on the new and next transformations of the telecoms and digital sectors” in all regions where the mobile operator is currently present.

The venture aims to take capital investments via minority holdings. It wants to focus on start-ups in the fields of communication, connectivity, the cloud, payment, the Internet of Things and big data, e-health and security services who are developing innovative solutions and technologies as well as inventing new business models.

Companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa could benefit from the Digital Ventures programme.

“Orange intends to leverage its already active role in the global digital ecosystem, and through these new investments get closer to companies that are agile at grasping and acting on technology shifts vital to the creation of tomorrow’s digital services,” the company said in a statement.

It added that its goal is to “transform talented entrepreneurs into key players in their chosen markets and in so doing, benefit Orange and its customers.” Orange believes “this new approach will reinforce existing Orange open innovation initiatives, like Orange Fab, while also allowing the support of new companies in their ramp-up phases.”

Press Release:

Orange launches Digital Ventures, a new funding vehicle for start-ups, further expanding its digital innovation strategy

Paris, Thursday 22 January 2015

Orange builds on its existing open innovation strategy with an “early stage” investment program branded Orange Digital Ventures. It will  identify and fund start-ups during their initial development as well as provide the  strategic relationships needed for them to become valuable companies.

Orange intends to leverage its already active role in the global  digital ecosystem, and through these new investments get closer to  companies that are agile at grasping and acting on technology shifts  vital to the creation of tomorrow’s digital services.

Funding innovation in the digital and telecoms sector

The  focus of Orange Digital Ventures is on financing those start-ups  working on the new and next transformations of the telecoms and digital  sectors. Orange Digital Ventures will support in particular start-ups in  the fields of communication, connectivity, the cloud, payment, the  Internet of Things and big data, e-Health and security services  developing innovative solutions and technologies as well as inventing  new business models.

With  20 million Euros earmarked for its first  year, Orange Digital Ventures will proceed by making capital investments  via minority holdings. This support will be available to start-ups in  all geographical regions where Orange is present.

Delivering what start-ups need: responsiveness and simplicity

Early-stage  companies move fast, which is why Orange Digital Ventures features a  dedicated team of digital specialists and a simplified, rapid selection  methodology. The intent is to deliver entrepreneurs a first response in  less than 30 days.

Turning the vision of entrepreneurs into scalable businesses

Orange  Digital Ventures will be more than a shareholder; it is designed to be a  growth catalyst. The immediate priority is on the economic development  of the portfolio companies and their global expansion. The ambition for  Orange Digital Ventures is to work alongside them to transform  far-sighted, talented entrepreneurs into key players in their chosen  markets and

in so doing, benefit Orange and its customers.   

Orange,  as an investor and catalyst, will benefit participating start-ups  through its  international commercial footprint and its reputation.   Entrepreneurs will be able to develop technical or commercial  relationships through access to Orange experts and decision-makers.

This  new approach will reinforce existing Orange open innovation  initiatives, like Orange Fab, while also allowing the support of new  companies in their ramp-up phases. 

Start-ups can get in touch with the teams of Orange Digital Ventures ondigitalventures.orange.com .

About Orange

Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 41 billion euros in 2013 and 159,000 employees worldwide at 30 September 2014, including 99,800 employees in France. Present in 30 countries, the Group has a total customer base of 240 million customers worldwide at 30 September 2014, including 182 million mobile customers and 16 million fixed broadband customers. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services.

Orange is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).
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