The path to automotive innovation lies in breaking down the walls of corporate isolation. That is the philosophy behind Konnect Innovation Hub, the Volkswagen Group’s scout for cutting-edge tech. We sat down with Managing Director Hemdat Sagi at MOVE 2026 to discuss how external partnerships are accelerating the future of software-defined and sustainable vehicles.
At Konnect, Hemdat’s mission is to match the immediate needs of Volkswagen’s global brands with the cutting edge innovation of the start-up ecosystem. Like MOVE, Konnect is passionate about the power of harnessing early stage innovation and emergent technologies.
But partnering with a corporate giant is “a marathon, not a sprint.” For founders looking to break into the space, her advice is straightforward: secure your funding, prepare for corporate bureaucracy, and remain flexible enough to adapt your technology to the scale of a global manufacturer.
On the MOVE sofa, Hemdat reflects on the importance of inclusion and diversity within the industry. As a board member of the Women in Mobility association, she champions training the next generation of female deep-tech CEOs, noting that diverse leadership injects vital transparency and collaboration into what has historically been a conservative industry.
Looking ahead, Konnect is focused on shattering traditional automotive timelines. While standard vehicle development cycles typically drag on for five to seven years, Hemdat’s team is actively working to compress that window. The goal for the next 24 months is to validate and deploy start-up tech directly into consumer vehicles within just two to three years.
Watch the full interview with MOVEmnt.net Editor Eve Stevens below.
