# Innovation culture
By collaborating with innovative players in the industry
To support its transformation, Sodexo is developing a solid open-innovation ecosystem both internally and externally. The Group continues to collaborate with incubators, universities, corporations and startups to source new ideas and boost digital and data capabilities. From growing internal startups to expanding the network of startup partnerships through the Sodexo Accelerators program, the Group aims to provide agility, expertise and market access to innovative solutions. In particular, over the last year, there have been four new programs launched across Brazil, China, the United Kingdom & Ireland and most recently in the United States with the Sodexo Live! program. Sodexo Accelerators reaches out to startups across the world to welcome collaboration and make innovation thrive in key business areas such as smart buildings, employee and consumer experience, operational optimization and sustainability. Those startups and scaleups that are chosen to join the program receive the support and close connection with Sodexo teams to test their solution in the services provided to Sodexo’s clients and consumers, which makes it possible to stimulate technological innovations in direct contact with the market.
# Campus innovation
By being at the cutting edge of digital innovation to best serve students
At university campuses in the United States, the Group is reinventing Foodservice options by offering AI-powered autonomous grocery store Eat<now, high-tech vending machine Yo Kai Express, and virtual brands by delivery with Virtual Dining Concepts. To route orders to their destinations, with no human contact or carbon emissions, a large fleet of semi-autonomous Kiwibot robots have been put into service at nearly 50 university campuses. Sodexo's expertise and experience combined with the use of cutting-edge technologies are sought after by our clients, as evidenced by the partnerships with Saint Clair College in Windsor, Canada to create innovative modular student residences.