Promotes responsible leadership for sustainable development and impact investing.
The BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt is an independent corporate foundation associated with BMW Group. It promotes responsible leadership and inspires leaders worldwide to work towards a peaceful, just, and sustainable future, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The foundation operates through three main approaches: INSPIRE, CONNECT, and INVEST. It offers leadership programs, cultivates a global Responsible Leaders Network, and invests in initiatives addressing social, political, and environmental challenges. The foundation focuses on areas such as climate change, energy transition, urbanization, infrastructure, education, and qualification. Key programs include the RESPOND Accelerator, which supports sustainable startups, and various leadership gatherings like Denkraum and Responsible Leaders Tables. The foundation also supports venture philanthropy networks and collaborates with organizations like Toniic and Katapult. While specific financial resources and typical project financing amounts are not readily available, the foundation invests in impactful organizations and encourages leaders to embrace venture philanthropy and impact investing. Recent supported initiatives include startups like Hawa Dawa, which was named "Digital Startup of the Year 2020" by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Made of Air, recognized as "Science Breakthrough of the Year" by the Falling Walls Foundation. The BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt aims to create measurable impact by convening leaders, setting objectives, and catalyzing action towards sustainable solutions.