
SNCF launched the SNCF Digital Ventures Investment fund, worth 30million. The fund aims to actively seek and identify digital initiatives that will impact SNCFs transport business.
It is intended to fund companies that work with SNCF on innovation. It will also purchase shares of companies that work in areas essential to SNCFs digital growth. Among these areas are the internet, surveillance drones, big data, customer service and information apps , the sharing economy and digital tools.
The fund is managed by Hi Inov, the venture-capitalist branch of Dentressangle Initiatives. It will invest between 0.5million and 4million in new companies in France, Europe, the United States and Israel.
SNCF President Guillaume Pepy said:
Today, SNCF Group cannot innovate alone. We need to take inspiration from innovators, developers and start-ups, and partner with them to create new services for our clients while making it easier for our employees to do their jobs.