Volkswagen Digital Solutions (VWDS), the Volkswagen Group’s tech hub in Portugal, has launched the RoadExplorers program to foster innovation and intrapreneurship within the company. This initiative encourages employees to submit ideas on new technologies, work processes, and methodologies. Winning projects receive investment, mentorship, and resources to turn ideas into viable products for VWDS.
The program promotes a culture of intrapreneurship, where employees act as entrepreneurs within the organization. Conceived by Marcelo Afonso Knakiewicz, Engineering Manager at VWDS, RoadExplorers blends the company’s technological challenges with the talent of its workforce.
In a "shark tank" style, employees pitch ideas for potential Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). The first edition saw VWBridge, an internal platform for collaboration, win. This year’s winner is Olympus, a tool designed to automate tasks within VWDS’s People department. The team behind Olympus will receive three months of support to develop their MVP and refine it based on feedback.
The RoadExplorers program reflects VWDS’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leveraging internal talent for business growth.
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