Jungheinrich founds Uplift Ventures

Uplift Ventures launches: Jungheinrich's new corporate venturing unit focuses on future topics such as robotics, circular economy and digital platforms.

Hamburg, April 8, 2025 - Jungheinrich has founded the new subsidiary Uplift Ventures, which is now responsible for the Group's international corporate venturing activities. The aim is to build innovative growth companies and invest in start-ups that lie outside Jungheinrich's traditional core business.

With Uplift Ventures, we are strengthening Jungheinrich's innovative power and opening up new and forward-looking business areas. We deliberately give Uplift Ventures maximum entrepreneurial freedom to consistently rethink innovative business models.

Dr. Lars Brzoska, Chairman of the Board of Management of Jungheinrich AG

Focus on future technologies

Uplift Ventures focuses on start-ups in the following areas

• Artificial intelligence (AI) for the optimization of supply chains and material flows
• Robotics and autonomous logistics systems
• Sustainable energy solutions and circular economy
• Digital platforms

Independent company

The Uplift Ventures team will start building its first projects in 2025. The company is led by Christina Mayer and Kerk Wichmann, who bring experience in the fields of innovation, venture building and logistics.

"Disruptive thinking and a high speed of implementation are crucial to our success," says Christina Mayer. Kerk Wichmann adds: "Our aim is to identify new potential at a very early stage, develop scalable business models from this and contribute to Jungheinrich's long-term success."

Jungheinrich's existing partnership with High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) will be intensified and expanded via Uplift Ventures. Further investments in venture funds are already being planned. With Uplift Ventures, Jungheinrich is consistently driving forward its long-term innovation strategy and opening up to new markets, technologies and customer groups in a targeted manner.