Mind The Bridge
Mind The Bridge is a global open innovation platform, founded in 2007, that bridges Fortune 500 corporates with startups and scaleups across seven international hubs, delivering an AI-powered matching platform, Silicon Valley immersion programs, enterprise innovation advisory, and flagship awards with the ICC.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Mind The Bridge does
Mind The Bridge is a global open innovation platform founded in 2007 by Marco Marinucci (then a Googler, now CEO) with Italian university professor Alberto Onetti as chairman. Operating from San Francisco with European roots in Turin, the company serves as a structured bridge between Fortune 500 corporates seeking external innovation and international startups and scaleups seeking corporate access and global expansion. It serves three primary customer segments — large corporates (innovation advisory, technology scouting, intrapreneurship), startups and scaleups (acceleration, Silicon Valley immersion, corporate matching), and startup ecosystem agencies (global promotion, ecosystem development) — and reports 1,200+ startups supported since inception, with those startups collectively raising $6.6 billion and achieving 50+ exits including 4 IPOs.
The company's core product is the MTB Ecosystem Platform, launched in 2022, an AI-powered business matching platform that connects startups with corporates and serves portfolio promotion for Innovation Agencies and Investors. Beyond the platform, the firm delivers a portfolio of professional services and programs: the Startup School (customizable Silicon Valley immersion), Innovation Advisory Services spanning the full innovation value chain from culture to M&A, Scaleup Summits held across hubs in San Francisco, Turin, Sydney, Seoul, Barcelona, and Japan, the Open Innovation Talks podcast, and two flagship annual awards — the Corporate Startup Stars (10th edition) and Startup Ecosystem Stars (3rd edition) — co-produced with the International Chamber of Commerce, OECD, and European Commission.
Mind The Bridge generates revenue primarily through enterprise field sales and custom professional services engagements: corporate innovation advisory contracts, startup program fees, Scaleup Summit sponsorships, and sponsored research reports produced in partnership with corporates and data providers such as Crunchbase. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and engagement models are bespoke. The company also operates a non-profit foundation established in 2007 focused on entrepreneurship education, and is independently founder-owned with no disclosed institutional equity backing.
Mind The Bridge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mind The Bridge
- Legal name
- Mind the Bridge
- Website
- https://mindthebridge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Mind The Bridge is a global open innovation platform, founded in 2007, that bridges Fortune 500 corporates with startups and scaleups across seven international hubs, delivering an AI-powered matching platform, Silicon Valley immersion programs, enterprise innovation advisory, and flagship awards with the ICC.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mind The Bridge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Innovation Advisory
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Enterprise Work Management & Collaborative Workflow Platforms (HDAEAHAI)
Keywords
Where Mind The Bridge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Mind The Bridge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Corporate Innovation Advisory Services: Provides open innovation advisory services to Fortune 500 corporates including venture client services ranging from scouting and benchmarking to market insight and landscaping. Services include innovation advisory, technology scouting, and intrapreneurship programs.
- Startup Programs and Acceleration: Silicon Valley immersion programs, Startup School programs, and acceleration services for international startups. Includes go-to-market support, mentor access, and corporate matching.
- Events and Scaleup Summits: Hosts Scaleup Summits in major innovation hubs globally, bringing together startups, corporates, and investors for networking and knowledge sharing.
- Research Reports and Market Intelligence: Produces research reports on innovation ecosystems, scaleup landscapes, and emerging technology trends in partnership with corporates and organizations like Crunchbase.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Mind The Bridge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mind the Bridge operates a global open innovation platform that connects large corporations with international startups through three primary lines of work: (1) AI-powered business matching via the MTB Ecosystem Platform, (2) enterprise innovation advisory services (scouting, benchmarking, intrapreneurship, corporate-startup matching), and (3) startup/scaleup acceleration programs including Silicon Valley immersion and the Startup School.
Product overview
Mind the Bridge is a global open innovation platform providing services and products to corporates and local startup ecosystems. The company's core offering centers on the AI-powered MTB Ecosystem Platform for business matching, supplemented by the Startup School (Silicon Valley immersion program), Innovation Advisory Services, Scaleup Summits event series, and the Innovation Network & Mentors program. The platform operates at the intersection between corporates, startups, and open innovation ecosystems, offering services ranging from technology scouting and intrapreneurship programs to corporate matching and investing services. The company also organizes the Corporate Startup Stars Awards and Startup Ecosystem Stars Awards in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce, and produces the Open Innovation Talks podcast.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MTB Ecosystem Platform AI-powered business matching platform that connects startups with corporations and supports portfolio promotion for Innovation Agencies and Investors.
- Startup School A fully customizable Silicon Valley immersion program for international founders consisting of hands-on workshops, mentoring sessions, corporate meetings, founder stories, and pitching events.
- Innovation Advisory Services Advisory services for corporates across the innovation value chain from culture to M&A, including venture client services from scouting and benchmarking to market insight and landscaping.
- Technology Scouting
Quantifiable outcome
- $6.6 billion in funding raised by startups worked with since 2007
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Mind The Bridge
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mind The Bridge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Mind The Bridge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- TernacoreTerna and Mind the Bridge collaborated on the 'Innovating the Grid Africa 2026' report analyzing Africa's innovation economy. The report found Africa's innovation ecosystem has grown to 883 tech scaleups raising $24.7 billion. Terna also participated in the Terna Innovation Summit in Tunis where the report was presented.
- CrunchbasecoreMind the Bridge and Crunchbase collaborate on research reports analyzing global innovation ecosystems. Examples include the Africa innovation report and the Tech Scaleup reports for various regions.
- OGR TorinocoreOGR Torino and Mind the Bridge jointly run the OGR Bridging Growth international scaling programme, selecting startups from over 450 applicants for go-to-market support and Silicon Valley CEO Retreat.
- TherascoreMind the Bridge, with support from Theras, released the report 'The Future of Medtech: European and Global Trends in Chronic Diseases' at Theras Day, positioning Italy's medical device market at over €11 billion.
- OGR TorinocoreOGR Torino and Mind the Bridge jointly developed the OGR Bridging Growth program to support high-potential startups toward international growth. The program selects 15 companies annually for a six-month journey focused on growth, internationalization, and business development, including a CEO Retreat in Silicon Valley.
- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)flagshipICC and Mind the Bridge partner on the Corporate Startup Stars (CSS) and Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) Awards, now in their 10th and 3rd editions respectively. The awards are conducted in collaboration with OECD and European Commission, with Microsoft as a supporter. In 2026, the awards move from Paris to Stanford University.
- OECDcoreOECD collaborates with ICC and Mind the Bridge on the Startup Ecosystem Stars Awards, contributing to the recognition of exemplary leadership in innovation ecosystem development worldwide.
- European CommissioncoreEuropean Commission partners with ICC and Mind the Bridge on the Startup Ecosystem Stars Awards, supporting recognition of organizations advancing innovation and entrepreneurship globally.
- MicrosoftminorMicrosoft provides support for the Startup Ecosystem Stars Awards as part of their ecosystem development initiatives.
- I3P Incubatore Politecnico di TorinominorI3P was awarded as Startup Ecosystem Star 2025 in the Talent & Research category. I3P has supported nearly 400 innovative startups since 1999 and was one of only three Italian organizations among 54 global winners.
- ACCIONAcoreMind the Bridge and ACCIONA jointly presented the Tech Scaleup Australia 2025 Report at the MTB Scaleup Summit Sydney 2025. The report identified nearly 1,600 tech scaleups and over $36 billion in capital raised in Australia's innovation ecosystem.
- BHPcoreMind the Bridge collaborated with BHP on the report 'Unlocking the Future of Mining' analyzing AI adoption in the mining industry. The report found AI investment in mining soaring from less than $200M in 2020 to $900M in 2025.
- AustmineminorAustmine collaborated with Mind the Bridge and BHP on the 'Unlocking the Future of Mining' report, providing industry expertise on mining technology and AI adoption.
- Innovación Minera del PerúminorHub de Innovación Minera del Perú partnered with Mind the Bridge and BHP on the 'Unlocking the Future of Mining' report, contributing Latin American mining innovation perspective.
- Powered by FincantiericoreMind the Bridge partnered with Powered by Fincantieri and Crunchbase on research identifying dual-use technology scaleups across NATO countries, finding 17,619 dual-use tech scaleups representing 27% of all scaleups analyzed, with defense tech investment jumping 27% to $70.8 billion.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Mind The Bridge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Techstars: Global startup accelerator with mentorship-driven programs and a corporate partnerships strategy (Techstars Corporate Innovation). Comparable in running accelerator cohorts, partnering with corporates, and operating across multiple geographies.
- SOSV: Global venture capital and accelerator operator running multiple vertical accelerator programs (HAX, IndieBio, Chinaccelerator) with corporate partnerships. Comparable in operating accelerator programs at global scale and engaging corporates as program partners.
- F6S: Global startup network and deal-flow platform used by accelerators, corporates, and government agencies to source, screen, and connect with startups. Comparable in operating a startup-corporate matching platform alongside program delivery.
- Dealroom: Global data platform tracking startups, scaleups, and innovation ecosystems, used by corporates, governments, and investors for market intelligence. Comparable in monetizing ecosystem data and research reports and serving enterprise and public-sector clients.
- Endeavor: Global organization supporting high-impact entrepreneurs across emerging and developed markets, with mentoring, corporate introductions, and ecosystem-building activities. Comparable in international scope, founder support, and corporate-startup linkage.
- Antler: Global early-stage venture generator running cohort-based founder programs across dozens of countries and serving corporate innovation needs. Comparable in international footprint, founder development, and corporate-startup collaboration services.
- Seedstars: Emerging-markets-focused startup accelerator and ecosystem builder with corporate and public-sector partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Comparable in emerging-market accelerator programs and ecosystem development focus.
- MassChallenge: Global zero-equity accelerator partnering with corporates and government agencies to run startup programs across multiple countries. Comparable in cross-border accelerator operations, corporate matching, and ecosystem development focus.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform and accelerator running corporate-startup matching programs, vertical-specific accelerator batches, and a large corporate partner network. Highly comparable to Mind the Bridge in serving Fortune 500s with startup collaboration and ecosystem events.
- Startup Genome: Research-driven organization producing the Global Startup Ecosystem Report and ecosystem data, with deep ties to public-sector innovation agencies and corporate partners. Closely comparable to Mind the Bridge's research-led, ecosystem-mapping positioning and global footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mind The Bridge social profiles
Digital presenceMind The Bridge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mind The Bridge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Mind The Bridge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mind The Bridge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mind The Bridge
What does Mind The Bridge do?
Mind the Bridge operates a global open innovation platform that connects large corporations with international startups through three primary lines of work: (1) AI-powered business matching via the MTB Ecosystem Platform, (2) enterprise innovation advisory services (scouting, benchmarking, intrapreneurship, corporate-startup matching), and (3) startup/scaleup acceleration programs including Silicon Valley immersion and the Startup School.
Is Mind The Bridge a public or private company?
Mind The Bridge is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Mind The Bridge founded?
Mind The Bridge was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Mind The Bridge based?
Mind The Bridge is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mind The Bridge make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Corporate Innovation Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are startup Programs and Acceleration, events and Scaleup Summits and research Reports and Market Intelligence.
Who are Mind The Bridge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Techstars, SOSV, F6S, Dealroom, Endeavor, Antler, Seedstars, MassChallenge, Plug and Play Tech Center and Startup Genome.
Does Mind The Bridge have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mind The Bridge.
What industry is Mind The Bridge in?
Mind The Bridge's product category is Open Innovation Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs, with a secondary code of EDAFAMAL, Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7373.