“Every generation inherits a legacy. Our task is to make it relevant again.”

With these words, Nils Wagner opened the AfterHours hosted by REHAU New Ventures!

It was all about the question that matters to all of us: How do we work with AI? In his keynote, Nils made it clear: the US and China are setting the pace. Germany needs to catch up, with real use cases, not buzzwords. AI isn’t a job killer. It’s a tool. And tools only create value when people know how to use them.

Around 60 guests from the REHAU Group joined to see how we work at REHAU New Ventures, including:

·     How AI is already changing work across our ventures
·     What AI looks like in day-to-day practice
·     How we approach Venture Clienting - from pilot to rollout
 
In the showcases, we shared real projects instead of polished slides: open discussions, hands-on demos, and plenty of exchange.

The key takeaway: progress happens through personal touchpoints. The mix of content, networking, and learning from each other is a strong foundation to build on.

If you’re planning something similar or want to connect, feel free to reach out.

#AI #VentureClienting #Innovation #REHAUNewVentures #REHAU

14 pain points. 4 priorities. 1 day.

Polymer distribution is under pressure from sustainability regulations, accelerating material innovation, and supply chains that no longer behave predictably. For a distributor like Meraxis Group, the direction is clear: move fast or fall behind.

A few weeks ago, we ran our strategic Venture Clienting Kick-Off together. The Meraxis team arrived with pain points already mapped and strategic fields pre-defined and that level of groundwork is what turns a workshop into a decision-making session.

We went straight into operational depth: which pain points are structural, which are urgent, and where startups can realistically create value. By the end of the day, 14 pain points had become 4 clearly prioritized fields of action, including several areas where AI-driven approaches have real potential to shift how the business operates.

👉 Now the real work begins: we are actively looking for startups that can deliver in exactly these areas: Building in
- Supply Chain Visibility,
- Smart Inventory Management,
- Intelligent Sourcing, or
- Procurement Analytics?

Our team at REHAU New Ventures is looking for startup partners to pilot with Meraxis. Reach out.

#VentureClienting #CorporateInnovation #REHAUNewVentures #MeraxisGroup

These days, REHAU Group is making the pages of manager magazin.

The REHAU Group just won the AI Impact Award 2026, recognized by manager magazin and Porsche Consulting for automating procurement end-to-end with AI agents.

The story behind it? The REHAU procurement team partnered with Lio (formerly askLio) to redefine purchasing operations, moving from manual processes to AI-driven automation. Lio by the way recently raised $30M Series A, proving the market believes in their vision. What a great success!

This is exactly why Corporate / Start-up collaboration works: Start-ups bring speed and innovation, Corporates provide real pain points and operational scale. When both sides commit, the results speak for themselves.

Congrats to the REHAU procurement team and the Lio (formerly askLio) team for this well-deserved recognition.

#AIImpactAward #AI #Innovation #REHAU

Innovation is not a department.
 
That's the idea behind the Innovation Pioneers Program at the REHAU Group. In early March, colleagues from REHAU Window Solutions, REHAU Interior Solutions, and Global Business Services came together for the first cohort. The venue was symbolic: the former Fränkische Lederfabrik in #Rehau, where REHAU was founded over 75 years ago. A space that connects origins with what comes next.
 
The Pioneers aren't newcomers. Nominated by their CEOs, they're already leading transformation projects. Now they're adding a new framework: Venture Clienting methodology.
 
The kick-off covered methodology, real pain point validation, and honest conversations about what works and what doesn't. Arno Baltruschat from OTTO DOCK 6 shared lessons from OTTO Group's approach in the age of AI.
 
Now comes the next phase. Scouting has started, and potential solutions will be reviewed together with the owners.
 
The framework is clear: Every project must solve a must-have pain point, have a committed owner from the start, and deliver measurable impact.
 
This is cohort one, the foundation. We're already aligning with the Subgroups for cohort 2, starting in Fall 2026. The network is growing.
 
More to come.

#CorporateVenturing #REHAUNewVentures #InnovationPioneers #VentureClienting

How do you create innovation that does not stay in the lab but truly works in everyday life?

We saw a clear answer to that last week at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE.

For us at REHAU New Ventures, the trade show was a strong reminder of what partnership-driven product development can achieve.

Together with REHAU Window Solutions, we have been developing at the intersection of materials, design and electronics for years. On the #ARTEVO platform, this collaboration becomes visible: Smart Privacy. Switchable glazing that integrates seamlessly into windows and doors and shifts from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.

What began with the flush-mounted installation of Smart Privacy has evolved. Today, we are proud to introduce the door integration feature of the ARTEVO front door. It is Matter-compatible, built into the door frame, and works with Nuki Home Solutions GmbH. A solution that truly proves its worth in everyday life. For example, when the glass automatically becomes transparent as soon as the door is unlocked.

For us, this is more than technology.
It shows what happens when two teams combine their strengths. REHAU Window Solutions brings deep market and application knowledge. REHAU New Ventures contributes electronics, software and smart home expertise. This is how an idea becomes a real‑world product.

A big thank you to the entire REHAU Window Solutions team for the trusting collaboration. And to our team around Alexander Mietzke for making this development possible.

We look forward to continuing this journey together.

#REHAUNewVentures #REHAUWindowSolutions #SmartPrivacy #ARTEVO #FensterbauFrontale #Innovation #Partnership #ProductDevelopment

“Back where it all began - continuing the entrepreneurial journey that started here more than 75 years ago.” - Nils Wagner, CEO of REHAU New Ventures.

Since mid-January, REHAU New Ventures has moved into the building where REHAU was founded more than 75 years ago - the former Fränkische Lederfabrik in Rehau.

Being closer to our REHAU subgroups means shorter distances between pain points and solutions. Instead of scheduling formal meetings, we can grab a coffee. Instead of coordinating across locations, we can simply walk over and talk.

This proximity matters. Venture Clienting works best when companies and start-ups stay in close contact. The same is true inside the organization. Working side by side allows us to validate ideas faster, align earlier, and collaborate more effectively.

Our new office will also become a place for exchange: roundtables, start-up sessions, pain point workshops, and our recently launched Innovation Pioneer Program.

A space that connects REHAU’s origins with the innovation we are building together.

From 1948 to 2026. Full circle. And beyond.

#REHAUNewVentures #VentureClienting #REHAU #Innovation #REHAUGroup