Innovating together

Techstars

Techstars is the world's most active early-stage investor and well-known startup accelerator. They work with over 4,000 companies in more than 60 countries. Together, we've been running the annual 'ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance' program, helping start-ups grow faster since 2020. This successful model has already helped thousands of companies worldwide.

In three months, we help start-ups with:

• the best mentors and a strong network of partners, investors and alumni;

• funding, and opportunities to raise more money through fundraising;

• workshops and carefully curated information;

• moments where participating entrepreneurs can learn from each other.

Read more about 'ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance'.

Motive Partners

Motive Partners is a major investor that backs companies at all development stages – from start-up to maturity. They manage more than 6.5 billion US dollars in investments. ABN AMRO has invested significantly in funds managed by Motive Partners. We look at new opportunities in fintech together. ABN AMRO collaborates with companies that fit our strategic goals and innovation plans.

Motive Ventures is the venture capital arm of Motive Partners. This means they invest in young, promising companies with good ideas, but which also involve risks. Motive Ventures now manages the ABN AMRO Ventures fund (AVV).

Our collaboration with a leader like Motive Partners shows that we're ahead when it comes to fintech innovations. Read more about Motive Partners.

‘Doorpakken’ with ABN AMRO

As an entrepreneur, you have all kinds of challenges other than financial ones. We're happy to help with those. Think of sustainability, digital security and just running your business as well as possible. Want to know what innovative services or solutions we can help you with? Answer the seven questions on our 'Doorpakken' platform. You'll find out within a few minutes.

Successful Challengers

Tikkie, New10 and Franx are ABN AMRO initiatives that offer fully automated services under their own brand names – through digital channels only. They benefit from the best of both worlds: they have the mindset of a scale-up, while building on ABN AMRO's knowledge and experience. Because they're a subsidiary of ABN AMRO, they can use our extensive professional network.

DARE: our innovation method

At ABN AMRO, we use our own innovation method: DARE. In this, we combine elements of Lean Startup, Design Thinking and Agile with our own most successful approaches in banking innovation. 'DARE' uses a phased approach that innovation teams and stakeholders within the bank can follow. These teams work together to find feasible new revenue models. 'DARE' also provides practical tools, so teams can focus on what matters in every phase of the innovation process.

DARE: the different phases

1. In the Explore phase, we look for promising innovation areas and revenue models.

2. In the Prove Problem phase, we do thorough research into the underlying problem of the user of a service. We check whether we as a bank can provide a solution.

3. In the Prove Solution phase, we look for the solution and test it.

4. In the Prove they Pay phase, we prove there are enough paying customers for our solution.

5. In the Prove it Scales phase, we show that the proposal can grow easily.

DARE: why it works

Innovation is an uncertain and unpredictable process – it doesn't follow a straight line. We know that when faced with uncertainty, people often fall back on existing methods and 'safe' behavior. With a clear innovation method like DARE, we give confidence that 'how' you innovate is right, even when the 'what' is still uncertain. A great example of DARE in practice is ABN AMRO's intrapreneur program. In this, colleagues from across the bank can spend 18 months helping to develop innovative products and services.

We innovate together

Collaboration and learning from other companies are essential for successful innovation. That's why we're always looking for partnerships and connections. For example, we have:

• invested in Motive Partners;

• a partnership with Techstars;

• our own Doorpakken platform;

• our own Challengers – like New10, Franx and Tikkie.

At ABN AMRO, we innovate in three areas: sustainability, digital assets and platformification. Does your organization work in any of these areas? We’d love to share our expertise with you! Contact us here.