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BMW i Ventures Names Edward Robinson President, Announces Plans for Setting Up an Incubator Space in New York City
Advisory Board also Established; Josh Rubin, Founder of Cool Hunting, Becomes First Member


Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 31, 2011... BMW i Ventures – the automaker’s recently established venture capital company with an investment fund of up to $100 million to develop individual mobility solutions for the world’s biggest cities – today announced Edward Robinson, a 32-year BMW Group veteran, will be President. In addition, the fund announced the planned creation of an incubator laboratory space in New York City and establishment of an expert advisory board whose purpose will be to guide decisions regarding future investments.

“As urban populations around the world increase, the goal of BMW i Ventures is to develop and leverage technology to further the freedom of mobility,” said Robinson, who will assume the BMW i Ventures role in addition to his continuing service as President and CEO of BMW Financial Services, Americas Region. “We have chosen to base our operations in New York City because of its position as a center of digital media and technology and its proven commitment to furthering this industry.”

These announcements come as BMW i Ventures moves into its next phase of development with New York City as its base of global operations and on the day that New York City will announce the winners of the BigApps 2.0 competition, a contest that challenged software designers to mine public data housed within New York City government to benefit the public. BMW i Ventures is a strategic partner of the BigApps initiative and will help announce the winners today. BMW Group Member of the Board Ian Robertson also sits on the jury of the BigApps competition and served on the BigApps selection committee. BMW i Ventures will double the prize money awarded to this year’s winners.


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