Erhardt has a history and experience going back for over a century. The company was founded in the North of Spain in 1882, being engaged initially in maritime transport and export and import business of iron ore, coal and steel products.

Erhardt is divided into four large areas:

• LOGISTICS AND MARITIME SERVICES: owing to a large network of offices located at the main Spanish ports, Erhardt connects Spain with the five continents, performing a complex international logistic activity in order to provide the customer with a door-to-door freight transport service. Services offered: regular maritime services, charters, comprehensive logistics, vessels operator, port agent, port services, freight forwarder and special cargoes transport.

• STEEL & TRADING: market presence in trading and marketing of industrial products and raw materials through our specialized companies such as Erhardt Servicios and Alsider,

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: in this branch, Erhardt tackles new markets providing services such as computer technology development, IT consultancy, Internet and e-business projects development, e-learning or multimedia.

• RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE BROKERAGE

We are 35 companies and more than 800 employees developing our activities in 20 Spanish cities and, since 2016, we are also present in Shanghai.

Erhardt Startup Port is the Venture Client unit of Erhardt.

We follow a standardized process to support startups in integrating and validating their products, services, or technologies in a real Erhardt use case. Our program also assists Erhardt business units in testing how well the startup’s solution fits their requirements and decision-making process. After a successful pilot, this can result in various forms of partnerships, including supplier-buyer relationships.

Erhardt Startup Port functions as an independent third party that keeps all disclosed information confidential. Startups retain their intellectual property while gaining Erhardt as a client and validating their solution in a real industrial setting.

Erhardt Startup Port is the Venture Client Unit of Erhardt. This means that it enables Erhardt to become a startup’s first client, even when the solution and company are not yet as mature and stable as incumbent partners.

We purchase a first unit of a startup’s product, service, or technology, and through this relationship, startups obtain supplier status and receive a supplier number, a purchase order, and revenue. This model provides startups with the opportunity to integrate and validate their solution in a real Erhardt use case, while Erhardt becomes an early adopter of high-potential technology.

Erhardt Startup Port does not invest or ask for shares or equity, and focuses on startups that can help Erhardt solve critical challenges across all industries and functions.

Relevance: Your product, service, or technology must have a clear and relevant use case that can solve a critical challenge in any of Erhardt’s business divisions, including R&D, services, manufacturing, IT, sales & marketing, and HR.

Product Maturity: Your startup must have a functional prototype or a working product that is mature enough to be tested within Erhardt’s divisions.

Funding Status: Your startup should have graduated from an equity accelerator program or received funding from a professional venture capitalist.

Full-Time Team: The key positions in your startup, such as CEO, CTO, and CMO, should be held by full-time employees.

Legal Entity: Your startup must be a legal entity.

  • Process and Timing
  • First Contact: To initiate the process with Erhardt Startup Port, which means becoming a supplier of Erhardt, simply send us information about your company. We are looking for companies that can help us solve critical challenges across any business division of Erhardt. Make sure to include your product and company deck. This way, we can contact you when a suitable opportunity arises, or connect you directly with a Erhardt business unit that is searching for the solution you offer.
  • Initialization: Initially, we focus on understanding the current need of a Erhardt business unit. We want to comprehend the underlying problem and motivation for a partnership. Your Erhardt Startup Port manager will then assess the potential benefits for everyone involved as well as partnership readiness.
  • Screen & Connect: At this stage, we screen the market and create a longlist of potential partners, which we then narrow down to a shortlist with the Erhardt business unit. If you are on our shortlist, we invite you for a demo meeting to discuss your solution in greater depth. You retain your intellectual property (IP) by signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with us and your potential client at Erhardt. Next, we send you a request for proposal, specifying a pilot project or proof of concept in which we want to apply and validate your solution. The project could involve integrating a prototype of your technology into a new Erhardt product or service, incorporating it into Erhardt’s IT environment, or running a pilot for a new manufacturing solution. We will ask you to review and refine your proposal. Once agreement has been reached, we can start the project. Prior to the pilot commencing, you will receive an official Erhardt supplier number and a signed purchase order. Congratulations – you have gained Erhardt as your client.
  • Proof of Concept: You and the Erhardt business unit will maintain close contact during the pilot to apply and validate your solution. In this phase, your Erhardt Startup Port manager will supervise the project and provide support for any non-technical challenges that may arise.
  • Partnership: You and your client at Erhardt agree that the pilot was a success? Great! Now we can negotiate the exact structure of your partnership with Erhardt. This can result in various forms of partnerships, including but not limited to supplier-buyer relationships or joint development agreements. As your Venture Client unit, Erhardt Startup Port will conduct regular follow-up meetings to ensure that your partnership has maximum business impact.
  • Timing: The whole onboarding process can take as little as four weeks.
  • Deadline: There is no deadline. We are always interested in learning about exciting solutions from startups.

No, we are a Venture Client for leading startups.

We focus on validating and integrating startups’ solutions into our business operations. Our goal is to help startups learn about the crane and lifting industry, connect them with our decision makers for potential business development opportunities, and provide them with the necessary support and resources to succeed.

Unlike accelerators, which typically help startups in their early stages by providing resources such as mentorship, capital, and networking opportunities, Erhardt works directly with startups that have a functional prototype or a working product that is ready to be tested in our business operations. We provide startups with a supplier number and purchase order, and they invoice us for their work and expenses. Our team of engineers and managers work closely with startups to ensure the success of the partnership.

We are always looking for great startups. We have no deadlines.

Please leave information about your startup here.

There is no deadline.

  • Adapt and Validate – During the pilot project, your primary objective is to adapt your solution to our specific use case for validation. This is a pre-agreed step before the project begins. Erhardt Startup Port will reimburse you for your expenses and efforts related to this process.
  • Gain Industry Insights – By working with Erhardt Startup Port, you gain valuable insights into the global industrial leader, Erhardt. Our experts will teach you about industry dynamics, development, manufacturing, and purchasing processes, providing you with a better understanding of the market.
  • Create a Roadmap for Success – Together, we will create a compelling roadmap that outlines how your solution can be applied and scaled throughout Erhardt. You will be connected with key individuals who can help you expand your business within various Erhardt business units.

Upon the successful validation of your solution, Erhardt aims to establish a long-term partnership with your startup.

Typically, your solution needs further development after the pilot project before it can be applied. You will directly negotiate further development and supplier agreements with the client business unit and our purchasing department. Ideally, these negotiations start during the pilot project.

If applicable, we can connect you with our established suppliers for industrialization.

Erhardt becomes an early client, not your shareholder. Once you join, you will receive a supplier number and a purchase order.

You will receive payment for the pilot. How much we pay depends on the complexity of the pilot project.

All costs related to the integration and validation of your solution are covered. This includes materials, travel, working hours, etc. You can propose a budget based on our requirements.

No.

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