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

Worth a read: Global Corporate Venturing takes a closer look at our clienting-first approach.

What this means in practice: we start from real operational challenges, work hands-on with startups, and validate solutions under actual production conditions.

This is made possible through close collaboration with colleagues across the REHAU Group bringing expertise together to drive digital transformation in our family-owned, industrial environment.

Thanks to Fernando Moncada Rivera for capturing how we work, and to everyone turning intention into measurable impact every day.

Because in the end, impact is what matters. Onwards and upwards.

📖 Link in comments

#CorporateVenturing #DigitalTransformation #IndustrialInnovation

Looking back at 2025, one thing is clear: innovation creates and captures value when closely aligned with real business needs.

At REHAU New Ventures, our Venture Clienting approach precisely met that demand. It's not just a theoretical concept; it's a practical way to tackle concrete challenges across the organization.

By working closely with teams from various departments and regions from the REHAU Group, we identified 53 Pain Points, ranging from #sales #planning to #automated #quotation and transformed them into actionable scoutings to find the most promising startups to create and capture value for us. We can proudly share that we have initiated six pilots thus far.

What stands out to us most is where this momentum came from. We didn’t force innovation on the organization; it emerged from within. We are seeing genuine demand.

In short, we shifted our focus from "why" to "how."

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions.
We believe in a clear value proposition:

Innovation as a Service.
Fast. Customer-centric. Business-driven.

This is the foundation on which we will continue to build in 2026, together with REHAU subgroups, colleagues, partners, and the startup ecosystem.

#VentureClienting #InnovationAsAService #CorporateInnovation #REHAUNewVentures #IndustrialInnovation #BusinessDriven #FromWhyToHow #StartupCollaboration

The collaborative development of CoStore, from its conceptualization to its current state, has been a testament to the power of courage, clarity, and partnership in achieving significant outcomes.

It is with great satisfaction that we witness this team transform an initial concept into a thriving business, and now share the story behind its success.

From the early venture-building phase within REHAU New Ventures to today's fully operational parks, our philosophy has always been founded on trust, honest exchange, and providing founders with the autonomy to execute.
This is an example of a strong partnership.

We would like to express our gratitude to Jannes Koepcke and Marcel Philipp Lang for their kind acknowledgement, and to all those who have contributed to the success of this endeavor with their dedication and unwavering commitment.

We are eager to advance the discussion in The Journey Series, particularly regarding the imminent strategic investor viewpoint.

Hej Impact-Leader, Founder, and Investors,

Delighted to share insights and learnings from building REHAU New Ventures' Venture Client Unit from scratch at the upcoming Venture Client Summit by 27pilots during Slush 2025.

Together with Carolin Lutzenberger, I’ll share insights from building #REHAU’s #VentureClient Unit from the ground up - exploring how structured startup collaboration can accelerate transformation even in traditional industries.

At REHAU New Ventures, we drive innovation within a 77-year-old company founded by Nils Wagner’s grandfather, Helmut Wagner, a visionary who already believed in the power of reinvention and innovation.

Today, our CEO Nils, continues this legacy by trusting new models of innovation, such as Venture Clienting, to digitalize and transform the REHAU Group and all its subgroups with the help of startups to digitize and automate our business. Why, how, and what we do, and how you can do the same, will be our #MasterClass.

Having built and led Venture Client Units in two very different industries -logistics and manufacturing - I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and what I approach differently today.
We’ll dive into the key principles, best practices, and hard-won lessons that shaped our approach to effective corporate-startup collaboration.

Because ultimately, Venture Clienting is not just a fancy process; it’s about trust, mindset, and the courage to make innovation real.

Alice Lottes and I are looking forward to meeting brilliant founders, investors, corporates, and researchers who want to explore how to collaborate with #REHAU and how Venture Clienting can bridge innovation and execution.

Excited to see many of you in Helsinki
Have a great day

Ronja