SWARCO Corporate Venture

What is the SWARCO Corporate Venture?

Have you got an idea you want to see come to life?
The SWARCO Corporate Venture is an exciting new initiative being launched to give employees the chance to turn ideas into reality.

The concept


  • An opportunity to develop and launch innovative ideas
  • This idea could be a new product, an improved production process, a new working practice, process or tool.
  • Provides a fast-track pathway for high-potential ideas. Dedicated resources and minimizing bureaucracy to speed up the implementation process.
  • The winning idea will be supported by SWARCO into the implementation phase, the degree of support required will of course depend on the idea.
  • The only limit to the scope of your idea is that it must deliver value to SWARCO.

How it works


  1. Submit Your Idea – Share your proposal via the submission portal.
  2. Evaluation – Ideas are assessed for innovation, market potential, and feasibility.
  3. Winner Selection – The best idea receives funding and support from SWARCO.

Why Participate?


  • Make an Impact – Your idea could shape the future of the traffic industry
  • Get Rewarded – The winning idea receives a prize (details TBC).

Why it exists


Innovative ideas often struggle within corporate structures due to operational priorities and risk aversion. This initiative is a demonstration of our commitment to innovation at SWARCO by investing into the future of our business. By tapping into your creativity and expertise, we aim to uncover groundbreaking ideas that not only enhance our existing capabilities but also open new avenues for growth, ensuring SWARCO remains at the forefront of innovation in our industry.

Who can take part?


Everyone! All SWARCO employees are eligible to submit their ideas.

Proposal Guideline

We are looking for innovative ideas that have the potential to contribute real, tangible value to SWARCO. Successful ideas should:

  • Address a clear problem or opportunity – Whether it's a gap in our product portfolio, inefficiencies in production, or a challenge faced by our customers, proposals should clearly define the issue being tackled.
  • Demonstrate tangible value – Ideas should contribute to cost savings, efficiency improvements, new revenue streams, or strategic advantages for SWARCO.
  • Be feasible within SWARCO’s ecosystem – Proposals should leverage our existing expertise, resources, and market position while being realistic in terms of implementation.

  • Have a clear pathway to execution – While early-stage ideas are welcome, they should include an initial concept of how they could be developed, tested, and brought to market or internal use.


Below is a small elaboration on the potential focus areas of your proposed ideas;

  • New products or solutions that enhance SWARCO’s offerings or create new market opportunities.

  • Improved production processes that drive efficiency, reduce waste, or improve quality.
  • Innovations that leverage applications of our technologies outside of our normal markets
  • New working practices, processes, or tools that enhance collaboration, decision-making, or operational effectiveness.

Each winner will receive up to €5,000 to spend on a holiday of choice, booked through a travel agency. Whether you're dreaming of a relaxing week in Malibu or have your own bucket-list destination in mind, each winner can choose from pre-packaged options or top up the budget yourself to customize your dream getaway.

Please note: the holiday must be taken using your own leave allowance and will be subject to tax implications depending on your country of residence.

Winning ideas will move into an execution phase, where SWARCO will build a dedicated structure around them, including financial investment, technical development, and commercial strategy. While the idea owner will be included in status update meetings to stay informed about progress, the implementation will be driven by a specialized venture team to maximize success. 

For more information about the template to use for your submission, what your proposal should contain, the selection process, and the evaluation criteria, please see the SharePoint page “Submission Process.”

To understand the time commitment involved at different stages of the contest—such as refining your idea, attending interviews, and participating in the Shark Tank—please again refer to the “Submission Process” page. This outlines what to expect if your idea progresses and how managers can support employees in taking part.

Idea Submission Process


To enter the SWARCO Corporate Venture contest, you will need to submit your idea using the provided template. This ensures that all proposals contain the key details needed for evaluation. All submissions must be made through Microsoft Forms. A link to the MS Forms submission portal can be found here.

Your submission should include the following elements:

  • Concept – A clear and concise description of your idea.

  • Value Proposition – What problem does this idea solve, and what unique value does it offer?

  • Key Activities – The main steps or processes involved in bringing your idea to life.

  • Key Resources – What is needed to develop and implement the idea (e.g., technology, expertise, partnerships)?

  • Cost Structure – An estimate of the main costs associated with developing and scaling the idea.

  • Sales Channels & Customers – How will the idea reach customers (direct sales, digital platforms, partnerships, etc.)?

  • Revenue Streams – How will this idea generate revenue?

Submission Phase

Employees submit their ideas via Microsoft Forms, following the provided template. Submissions should be clear, concise, and aligned with the evaluation criteria.

Longlist Selection

All submissions will be reviewed, ideas will be assessed and the evaluation criteria explained in the next section. At this stage, we will evaluate proposals based on the submitted PowerPoint and select a longlist of ideas that demonstrate strong potential.

Shortlist Selection

Longlisted participants will be invited to an online interview with a selection panel. In this session, you will very briefly present your idea, answer additional questions, and elaborate on key aspects such as feasibility, market potential, and implementation challenges. The panel will then select the shortlist of ideas that will move on to the final round.

Shark Tank Pitch

Shortlisted participants will pitch their ideas in person at the Shark Tank event in front of an evaluation panel. This is your final opportunity to convince decision-makers that your idea deserves to be selected for investment. Travel and accommodation for this event will be covered by the Corporate Venture budget. Final information about what you may need to prepare for this in person event will be elaborated on at a later date.

Winner Announcement

After the Shark Tank pitches, the panel will deliberate and select the winning idea. The winner will be announced, and SWARCO will begin building the structure and resources to develop the idea into a real business venture.

FAQ'S


Can I submit more than one idea?

Yes, you can submit as many ideas as you like. However, perhaps focusing on submitting one fully thought-through idea would be better than splitting your efforts across two ideas.

Do I have to work on my idea full-time if it wins?

SWARCO will build a dedicated project team around the idea to give it the best chance of success. Whether or not the idea owner takes an active role in the execution will depend on various factors. However, as the idea owner, you will be involved in status update meetings to stay informed on progress and key developments.

Can teams submit an idea together?

Absolutely! We encourage collaboration, and teams of up to two individuals can officially submit an idea together. While others can contribute behind the scenes, only the two registered team members will participate in the Shark Tank pitch and share any rewards if their idea wins.

Will I receive feedback if my idea is not selected?

Yes! After each stage of the selection process, all participants will receive feedback. Regardless as to whether their idea is moving forward to the next round or not. Every submission is valued and participants will receive constructive insights.

Can I work with an external partner on my idea?

Your idea should be driven by SWARCO employees, but you can reference external partners if collaboration is a key part of the concept. If selected, SWARCO will evaluate whether partnerships are needed to bring the idea to life.

Will I be taxed on the award?

The award may be subject to taxation, but the exact conditions will depend on your country’s tax regulations. SWARCO work with the idea owner at the time of the award and will do everything possible to minimize the tax burden on the recipient.

Will my idea remain confidential?

Submissions will only be reviewed by the selection panel and relevant stakeholders within SWARCO. However, finalists may need to present their ideas to a broader audience during the Shark Tank stage. If confidentiality is a concern, let us know, and we will handle it appropriately.