About us

ABOUT NOVA BY SAINT-GOBAIN

NOVA by Saint-Gobain is the specialized branch for partnerships and venture capital investments. Our primary objective is to foster innovation by collaborating with startups worldwide.

We establish co-development partnerships, distribution, marketing, or licensing agreements while also investing in innovative startups. Our team is present in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, and we select projects that align with the overall strategy of the Saint-Gobain group.

We focus on key areas, such as technology for construction, industrial energy transition, digital connectivity, transportation electrification, and the circular economy.

Key figures:

  • More than 50 direct investments.
  • Over 100 million euros under management.
  • A team of 15 members dedicated to innovation.

ABOUT SAINT-GOBAIN

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures, and distributes sustainable materials and solutions for the construction, mobility, and industrial markets.

Developed with a constant focus on innovation, our integrated solutions for renovating public and private buildings, lightweight construction, and decarbonizing the construction and industrial sectors bring sustainability and performance. In this way, we contribute to reducing carbon emissions, promoting resource efficiency, and increasing circularity.

Saint-Gobain believes in progress and aims to lead the way in improving individual and collective well-being. We are convinced that solutions that meet the essential needs of everyone and allow us to live together better, without compromising future generations, are yet to be invented. Our commitment to achieving this ambitious goal is guided by our purpose, "MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME."

Key figures:

  • €51.2 billion in revenue in 2022
  • 168,000 employees in 75 countries
  • Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050
Saint Gobain

OUR MISSION

NOVA by Saint-Gobain is the venture arm of Saint-Gobain, one of the world’s largest building materials companies and manufacturer of innovative material solutions. 

With a presence in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, NOVA by Saint-Gobain connects the global startup community with the power, resources and experience of Saint-Gobain.

Since 2006, we have helped create more than 600 partnerships for transformative innovation with startups in various stages and in various forms, including co-development, licensing, commercial agreements, direct investments and joint ventures. NOVA by Saint-Gobain is also a limited partner in a number of global funds.

We serve as a bridge, working collaboratively with startups to provide them with access to Saint-Gobain’s internal resources and support to form long-term partnerships. Rooted in trust, expertise, support and flexibility, we assist entrepreneurs whose areas of focus align with our expertise in order to help them succeed.

OUR VALUES

  • EASY TO WORK WITH

    Employing a flexible and open-minded approach, we facilitated businesses and startups to engage in an easy and transparent manner. As reliable ambassadors, we helped startups and businesses find a common language and understanding.

  • PASSION FOR LEARNING

    Dedicated to ongoing exploration, our pursuit involves identifying transformative ideas with the potential to reshape the world.


     

  • WIN-WIN ATTITUDE

    Committed to identifying mutually advantageous opportunities, our focus is on leveraging internal capabilities through external innovations. We strive to construct partnerships that yield benefits for all parties, consistently guided by principles of fairness.

OUR PARTNERS

INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS

Our worldwide network of incubators and accelerators empowers startups with the necessary resources to scale and achieve their goals efficiently.

  • Greentown Logo carre

    Greentown Labs

    As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown Labs brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate solutions. 

    Greentown Labs is home to more than 100 startups and has supported nearly 300 startups since the incubator’s founding in 2011.

    This year, we have signed a second partnership for their new location in Houston, Texas.

  • Cubo

    Cubo

    Cubo Itaú - the most relevant tech entrepreneurship hub in Latin America - was founded by Itaú Unibanco in partnership with Redpoint eVentures. Our goal, since 2015, is to connect in one place entrepreneurs, large corporations, investors and universities to discuss about technology, innovation, new business models, different ways of working and challenging the status quo, collaborating to building up a better world.

  • Impulse Labs

    Impulse Labs

    Impulse Labs is an ecosystem of startups and decision makers dedicated to the construction and real estate industries where entrepreneurs and corporations alike disrupt the way we design, construct and maintain the built environment.

  • UrbanLab

    UrbanLab, a pioneering enterprise alliance dedicated to real estate technology and innovation in China, was established in 2019 through collaboration between Jones Lang LaSalle and ecological partners. The alliance's primary objective is to identify and nurture technology startups within the real estate sector, unlocking the industry's technological potential. Over the years, UrbanLab has successfully spearheaded the integration of innovative technologies and business models, accelerating the adoption of hardware technologies in real estate. This strategic approach has facilitated the industry's adaptation to the digital era and ensured its evolution in tandem with technological advancements.

  • buildworks carre logo

    Builtworlds

    BuiltWorlds is the premier, global network enabling buildings & infrastructure professionals to learn about important trends and technology, share insights, and make strategic connections to adapt and succeed in a changing world.

FUNDS

Leveraging chosen established  venture capital partners, we enhance our impact, delivering increased value to the startups in our portfolio.

  • etf

    ETF Partners

    ETF Partners supports talented entrepreneurs and management teams with investment capital and experience. Its funds come from institutional investors, global corporations and family offices. ETF Partners creates value by investing in technology companies that make a difference – they call it “sustainability through innovation.”

  • Phoenix

    Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP) is the leading venture capital firm that invests in and partners with entrepreneurs to commercialize breakthrough materials science innovations. PVP’s team has a track record of founding, building and investing in successful materials science startups. The firm has two funds under management and has a unique investment strategy that is flexible and predicated on assisting entrepreneurs with customer and supply chain partnerships, business development as well as strategic and operational support. PVP collaborates with a select set of forward-looking global corporations on business development and innovation interests. PVP is based in Silicon Valley with satellite offices in Singapore and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

  • Richland Capital

    Richland Capital

    Richland Capital is a leading investment firm for emerging technology in China, focusing on investment in advanced materials, high-end manufacturing equipment, and digital technology.

    Founded in 2011, Richland Capital is a first-line investment institution in industrial technology in China. With new materials as its main direction, it focuses not only on high-end equipment and digital technology, but also on pan-semiconductors, new energy vehicles, 5G, digital manufacturing, and other application markets. Since its establishment, Richland Capital has adhered to the strategy to drive investment with industry research and is good at discovering leading enterprises and hidden champions in the field of segmentation.