Startups often face challenges in developing and scaling their ideas beyond the prototype phase and turning them into successful business models. Through the CGI Unicorn Academy, we help startups develop innovative capabilities that meet specific uses cases for our clients in multiple industries, supplementing our own portfolio of business solutions and strategic alliances.

Our clients appreciate innovative thinking and creative partnerships but may avoid taking risks on startup technologies and solutions. Our Unicorn Academy model gives clients the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation with CGI as the trusted basis. For example, if a client has a use case (e.g., pain point or new regulatory requirement), or desire to try a new technology, we identify startups with potential solutions to fill the need, and then use our due diligence process to form a partnership, mitigating risk for clients.

Advancing technology innovation

Founded in Germany in 2018, our Unicorn Academy now works with 30+ startups, including several international companies. We have a number of client projects underway, typically starting with a proof-of-concept, demo or pilot to minimize risk, but with the idea to enlarge the project over time.

Through the Academy, we share our global expertise and experience with startups in multiple technology fields. We consult to help them rapidly develop business ideas, decide next steps, increase agility, implement digital services (including at client sites), and accelerate their digital value chains to respond quickly to market needs.

consultants brainstorming

We help startups develop and scale business ideas through: 

  • Active involvement in the startup community (initially in Germany followed by Sweden and other countries)

  • Collaboration with universities, accelerators, associations and research institutions

  • Startup-customer matchmaking events

Our “Share, Connect and Strategize” approach includes:

Share

Sharing our knowledge across IT fields and industries, providing access to experts and creating opportunities to participate in informational events, workshops, meetups and more

Connect

Using the CGI network to build connections between startups, clients and other interested parties, helping startups gain exposure for their ideas and giving them new platforms for growth

Strategize

Studying startups’ ideas and helping them develop a long-term business strategy, evaluating potential next steps and milestones.

The CGI Unicorn Academy also provides startups with mentoring and sales strategy consulting, access to a tailored portfolio of innovative products and solutions, competitive advantage through fast and flexible customization, professional implementation and project management, and world-class scaling and security for innovative concepts.

A win-win-win approach

Large corporations typically are unable to risk trying startup technologies, and startups often do not have enough resources to deliver a full-scale project. CGI provides a trusted source for clients and an extended workbench for startups in our network. This win-win-win proposition helps startups grow, helps clients find new solutions, and helps our teams learn new skills. It also helps startups scale to serve more customers and allows successful new technologies to come into the market.

Future Tech Fest 2024

CGI's Unicorn Academy and partner startups presented at this year’s Future Tech Fest—Germany's leading B2B startup expo and conference. Over 300 startups presented their products and technologies, accompanied by a dynamic conference program, interactive workshops and matchmaking opportunities.

The event promoted innovation and new business growth—bringing together entrepreneurs, corporate executives, investors, and universities to preview the future of digital technology. The conference offers valuable insights and best practices for startups. The subsequent after-show party is a relaxed setting for networking.

Explore our Unicorn Academies

Germany

Portugal

Sweden

We now have a Unicorn Academy in Canada. For more information, please contact Rorisang Hlahatsi Baloyi or Mark van Engelen.

Startups

cognigy Logo

Cognigy – Automated customer service

Scalue Logo

Scalue – Efficient procurement
Logo rooom.com - enterprise metaverse solutions
rooom – Metaverse solutions for companies