Calling all start-ups and investors in the Mobility and Energy sectors! Supernovas WIN (Women Investment Network) is thrilled to announce its third Investment Forum, exclusively dedicated to female-led start-ups. This is your opportunity to be part of a game-changing event, where innovation and technology for urban mobility and energy take centre stage.
Why should you get involved? In Europe, the presence of women in venture investment is still far too low, resulting in a lack of funding for start-ups led by female or mixed-gender teams. In EIT Urban Mobility, we’re on a mission to change this narrative, and you can be a part of the solution. WIN, a vital component of Supernovas, an EIT programme promoting female entrepreneurship, aims to increase female representation among both entrepreneurs and investors in the ecosystem.
The Supernovas WIN Investment Forum will connect specialised investors with carefully curated female-led start-ups. We’re looking for innovators in active mobility, city logistics, urban air mobility, waterway transportation, connected & autonomous vehicles, sensors & training data, public realm for mobility, energy infrastructure, sustainable buildings and cities, energy and mobility products for circular economy, energy storage, energy efficiency, renewable energies, and smart electric grids.
Mark your calendars! The forum will take place online on 22 November, offering a prime opportunity to network, collaborate, and drive innovation forward.
Start-ups, don’t miss your chance to shine. The call for female-founded and/or led start-ups in the Mobility and Energy sectors is open until 20 October on the Supernovas selection platform. Secure your spot and showcase your game-changing ideas to potential investors.
Investors, whether you’re from venture capital funds, corporate funds, business angels, or any other investor type, this event is tailored to your interests. Register now on the WIN forum page to discover the most promising investment opportunities in Mobility and Energy.
Supernovas WIN goes beyond just forums; we offer customized training for female investors, catering to both venture capital and business angel investors, whether you’re a beginner or experienced. Stay tuned for details on dates, deadlines, and the registration process on the Supernovas WIN website (bottom section Supernovas Investment Forums).
Together, we can make a real impact on the female representation in the entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem. Register at the Supernovas WIN Investment Forum and be a part of the change.
In Europe, the need for internationalization arises early on, given the relatively small size of countries and their cultural and regulatory differences. For female-led start-ups, international growth presents additional unique challenges, resulting from limited access to funding and networks compared to their counterparts. And that´s where Supernovas, the leading female entrepreneurship support organization of the EIT, jumps in!
The Rocket Up programme, a comprehensive 15-week initiative under the umbrella of Supernovas, offers tailored support from mentors with expertise in market expansion and strategy development, along with individualized guidance from industry experts, and valuable introductions to stakeholders.
Among the selected start-ups, we have four mobility-focused ventures in this year’s batch:
Go Jauntly (UK): Free, award-winning, community-based app which promotes walking for leisure, active travel and nature connection.
ProperGate (Poland): Smart logistics platform for construction sites. Streamline operations, optimize resources, and drive sustainability.
GAYA (France): GAYA is a French smart-bikes brand, dedicated to make urban families life brighter.
BitaGreen (Belgium): For healthier and happier cities, BitaGreen helps risk managers identify best locations for investment in climate-proof urban nature.
The complete batch includes the following start-ups:
All participating start-ups in the Rocket Up programme are committed to the goals of EIT Urban Mobility, EIT Food, or EIT Manufacturing, aligning their efforts with sustainability and economic development.
Throughout this intensive programme, participating start-ups will achieve the following outcomes:
Identify the most suitable market for expansion and develop a well-defined go-to-market strategy with an actionable to-do list for successful market entry.
Connect with key stakeholders and potential partners to establish fruitful collaborations.
Expand networks through interactions with industry experts and experienced mentors providing valuable guidance.
Foster meaningful connections with other women-led start-ups, creating a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Stay updated on the progress and achievements of these outstanding start-ups by connecting with us on our social media channels. For more information about the Rocket Up programme, please visit the Supernovas website.
“For European start-ups, international expansion is vital due to the continent’s diverse countries. Yet, expanding internationally is not so easy, as it requires consideration of various regulations, languages, and cultures. Especially for women-led ventures, which are often held back by additional barriers. With the programme, start-ups will define a successful expansion strategy. The start-ups selected have shown a strong team, remarkable product innovation focusing on sustainability, and the potential for international expansion.”
Out of 470 applications received, 86 promising start-ups were selected to participate in the seven Accelerators and Scale-up programmes, resulting in an 18% success rate for applicants. The high number of applications provides evidence of the rapid growth and immense potential of the urban mobility and transport sector. For the 2023 cohorts 21 European countries are represented in the start-ups selected. Among the selected ventures in the 2023 promotion, over 30% are led by female CEOs or founders, in line with EIT Urban Mobility’s dedication to narrowing the start-up gender gap and fostering an inclusive ecosystem. In 2022, the thematic accelerators and Scale-up programmes provided support to 74 start-ups.
EIT Urban Mobility’s Accelerators and Scale-up programmes will provide the selected start-ups with an extensive array of services and support spanning over a six-month period. This support includes personalised mentoring, enabling start-ups to tap into the expertise and guidance of professionals. Additionally, living lab testing of solutions allows for real-world validation and optimization of their innovative offerings. The programmes also facilitate valuable matchmaking opportunities with cities and industry partners, fostering collaborations and strategic partnerships. Furthermore, start-ups gain access to important industry events, enabling them to showcase their solutions, network with key stakeholders, and gain crucial visibility.
Raül Feliu, Impact Ventures Programmes Manager:
“The European transport sector has undergone significant changes driven by technology and a global shift toward sustainable and accessible choices. EIT Urban Mobility is on a mission to facilitate this paradigm shift to build a long-lasting sustainable change while supporting start-ups whose solutions provide a positive impact. Through our accelerator and scale-up programmes, we provide crucial support to early-stage companies, foster valuable connections within a unique urban mobility ecosystem, and curate a funnel of top performing companies to our investments. We aim to change the present of urban mobility while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; This is the key to shaping a better future for all of us.”
The Scale-up Programme will be a precursor and will support 12 start-ups during 2023 with a cross-thematic focus so that they develop and implement innovative solutions in the field of urban mobility.
The Scale-Up programme consortium partners managing the programme are CARNET – UPC Technology Cente, Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Niedersächsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik (NFF), PowerHUB and UnternehmerTUM (UTUM).
Accelerate2MOVE will provide support to start-ups generating solutions (TRL4 to TRL7) in advanced technologies and concepts that contribute to the sustainability of urban mobility, more specifically in AI, blockchain, 5G, vehicle-2-everything (V2X) and IoT.
The Accelerate2MOVE consortium partners managing the accelerator are Innovation Centre Nikola Tesla (ICENT), LMT, Ljubljana University Incubator (LUI), North-West Croatia Regional Energy and Climate Agency (REGEA), Poslovna inteligencija (BIRD Incubator) and VEFRESH.
The Better Mobility Accelerator will be a precursor and will support 12 start-ups during 2023 with a focus on inclusive mobility so that they develop and implement innovative solutions in the field of urban mobility.
The E+ Mobility Accelerator proposal is a continuation of the EIT Urban Mobility Hub South Acceleration Programme, with a specific focus on the mobility & energy, micro-mobility and shared mobility thematic fields.
The partners of this programme are Barcelona Activa, Carnet, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Connected Mobility Hub (CMH), Automotive Technology Center of Galicia (CTAG), Italian National Agency for New Technologies Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Ferrovial, Polytechnic University of Catalonia and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).
The EIT Urban Mobility Public Realm Accelerator provides support for innovative mobility solutions, focusing on creating a better public space and improving the well-being of residents by addressing energy- and mobility-related aspects.
The UAM Plazza accelerator programme aims to help start-ups in the field of Urban Air Mobility boost the introduction of their solutions to the market.
The partners of this programme are Toulouse Métropole, Aerospace Valley, CARNET and Ferrovial.
To follow the progress and results of the programmes, connect to our social media channels. In case of interest to apply for the next open call for the accelerator programmes, please register here.
Nowadays, a new generation of sector-agnostic VC (Venture Capital) funds is emerging to laser-focus on solutions advocating for inclusivity. This trend follows the political agenda of decision-makers backed by a vast amount of data collected in the past decade. As showcased in multiple studies, they serve researchers and thought leaders when pointing out gaps and deficiencies existing in the current mobility systems. Technological leap with the high pace in which urban areas grow makes them an incredibly attractive, albeit competitive space for solution providers where implementation speed and economic efficiency naturally gain the position of urging priorities.
Although it is true that competition translates into quality and eventually leads to cutting down on emissions while improving the quality of life, so-called smart cities are often overseeing vulnerable groups and minorities with needs that are different from the regular user profile. In this article, a hi-tech software solution supporting the blind and visually impaired will be discussed.
How does Dreamwaves work?
As an organization bridging all types of stakeholders under the pan-European roof, the special mandate of EIT Urban Mobility is to be vocal about the mobility-related needs of vulnerable minorities and lead the peloton of actors working on safe and inclusive public spaces.
Dreamwaves, an Austrian start-up founded and led by Hugo Furtado, Liliana Calapez, Elke Mattheiss, and Lukas Zimmermann strengthened the company’s equity portfolio with the right tool to work on this agenda. Namely, a software employing augmented reality technology to unlock the unique sound navigation experience to its users, making them feel safe and welcome on the busy streets. With Dreamwaves, the blind and visually impaired can navigate their surroundings with greater confidence and independence, creating a more equitable environment for all.
Why we invested in Dreamwaves?
What sparked EIT Urban Mobility investor´s attention and dispelled potential doubts? Let´s zoom at a simple 3xT test applied in this case as a part of standard qualification analysis.
Timing
It all started with a spotted opportunity and a multi-billion market that awaited to be unleashed. As he later admitted during one of the off-track conversations, Hugo Furtado – CEO of Dreamwaves – was always a passion-driven entrepreneur centered on new technologies and out-of-the-box innovations. To be crazy or not to be at all. Following the music and gaming industries racing solitary for both hardware and software improvements to take the sound experience to the next level, he already saw a brand-new use case. It later resulted with the thought that it pays off to look right when everyone goes left. And talking about the majority, all of us interact with audio content while commuting or during physical outdoor activities. It is nothing strange considering the fact that – following Eurostat´s data (1) – in 2019 an average commuting time oscillated around 25 minutes. However, as explained with greater detail in different study (2), for one-fifth of the population it could be extended to over 90 minutes per day.
To put it briefly: headphones, of all sizes and kinds, are nowadays an extension of our bodies. Extension that might be more than a source of entertainment, especially for the blind and visually impaired. Dreamwaves decided to be the voice of blind people, making them see the world through their ears.
2. Technology
In principle, the whole concept of screen- and hands-free navigation offered via waveOut can be stressed in three steps. Once the destination is selected and the journey kicks-off, virtual waypoints are being placed in the real world around the user. On the fly. The goal is to reach them and to make it happen, the user must hear them. That is when the sound is activated. It can be compared to a phone call when the ringtone allows us to locate the device. The closer we are, by nature the louder becomes the sound. The same law applies to the Dreamwaves´ software. As soon as the checkpoint is reached, the next waypoint is placed, and the voice switches its location. Again and over, following the beat of a gentle drum until the doormat. Or one´s favourite bookshop.
As simple and naïve the above may sound, the way-finding solution enclosed in the app requires the latest augmented reality toolkits, global positioning advances and machine learning methods behind the scenes. Additional challenges lie in the accuracy that in the busy streets full of static obstacles and dynamic objects must be ultimately reliable. Understanding the state-of-the art of computer vision methods to determine the location of the user in real time helps to overcome this barrier.
Connected to the multi-object environment but being a separate problem class is omnipresent noise pollution. As the solution is hardware-agnostic, meaning that no special upfront investment in wearables is required, it is crucial to ensure that the best experience is provided, even with some quality being lost. This trade-off is a fair price for making the solution truly open and accessible to everyone.
3. Tests & Testimonials
While Dreamwaves is changing the way people understand and sense their locations, the competent and interdisciplinary team navigate itself company´s growth by hearing to the group of early-adopters and tech geeks. Hundreds of individuals were involved in the design and testing phases, with the others feeding engineers with further, post-launch testimonials.
“The best thing we ever heard from a user was: “It’s a bit like seeing. The fact that I constantly can hear the direction I have to go to is a great advantage!”. This made us really proud, and also gave us the feeling that we are in the right direction. On the tough days, thinking about this and other pieces of feedback, really keeps us motivated and going!” – said Hugo Furtado, the CEO of Dreamwaves.
Besides feedback, interactions are constantly feeding the team with new ideas, because the real beauty of every journey lies in additional opportunities being unfolded on the way. For Dreamwaves, these are cavernous cycling and travelling markets where hundreds of millions of users are looking for tricks to make their lives easier and their urban trips saver. Is there anyone out there who didn’t manoeuvre the bike with one hand while staring at phone maps?
Future Mobility: amplifying the voice of inclusivity
Accompanied by the story of Hugo, Liliana, Elke, and Lukas this is the space to reflect all the barriers that still must be overcome to eradicate the gap between the blind or visually impaired and the rest sensing the surrounding with sight. With its first step and team efforts, Dreamwaves points to the direction we should look at technology. Its proper incorporation into urban and suburban areas can significantly enrich the existing toolkit, making the lenses through which smart cities are defined adjusted to the needs of commuting minorities. Only then we will be entitled to call streets inclusive and open spaces.
Do you want to know more about Dreamwaves’s mission and its solutions?
Mateusz Kaluza – investments analyst at EIT Urban Mobility, passionate about data and active mobility. Scouting for impact-driven innovations enabling shift towards citizen-oriented transportation systems. Contact at: mateusz.kaluza@eiturbanmobility.eu
When thinking about the scope of urban mobility, there is always a vertical that pops into our minds and this is city logistics. However, what fits within the concept of logistics is never too obvious. Construction tech is a rapidly growing industry that has the potential to transform the way we build and manage our cities, and yes, it’s an industry directly related with urban logistics.
EIT Urban Mobility has made a ground-breaking investment in ProperGate, a Polish construction tech start-up that has become the first successful investment in Poland for the organisation.
How does ProperGate work?
ProperGate’s innovative platform aims to digitize and streamline the construction logistics management process, reducing the time, cost, and environmental impact of construction projects. With ProperGate’s platform, builders and suppliers can track and manage their deliveries to construction projects in real time, identify and address issues more quickly and efficiently, and reduce the need for paper-based documentation.
ProperGate addresses the needs of all potential customers in the construction supply chain, from real estate developers and investors to subcontractors and suppliers, all having a customized profile to sign up for within the platform. And yet its direct customers are not the only ones to benefit from the results of the solution, as the use of ProperGate’s innovation indirectly contributes to the development of the professional construction sector by adding tools and methods that will have to be acquired by young professionals.
Why we invested in ProperGate?
Construction site logistics can be a significant pain point not only for the constructors but also for the surrounding city and the people that live in it.
Give it a thought; the usually limited space around an urban construction site can make it difficult to manoeuvre large construction vehicles and equipment, leading to potential safety hazards and logistical challenges for the delivery of materials and supplies; in already densely populated areas, heavy traffic around the construction site can cause more delays and disruptions than normal and often become a significant source of disruptive noise, having severe effects in the health and well-being of citizens. On top of all these challenges, construction sites also contribute to polluting the city, with negative environmental impacts ranging from air and water pollution to soil contamination. Therefore, managing construction site logistics effectively is crucial to minimizing the negative impact of construction on the surrounding urban environment.
The onboarding of ProperGate into EIT Urban Mobility’s equity portfolio is testament of a threefold purpose: First, as its first successful investment in a Polish registered company, EIT Urban Mobility proofs to have fruitfully taken measures to ensure that funds are directed towards the RIS[1] region; second, as EIT Urban Mobility’s first investment in the construction tech industry, the KIC shows its commitment to explore and boost the endless potential of the urban mobility meaning; and finally, by supporting the gender-diverse C-level team that leads ProperGate, EIT Urban Mobility is also backing its mission of promoting female entrepreneurship.
Do you want to know more about ProperGate’s mission and its solutions?
With the boom of new personal mobility devices (PMDs) in recent years, E-scooters are now one of the fastest-growing micromobility solutions in Europe, which has a unique potential to develop a world-leading ecosystem promoting sustainable urban mobility, with unparalleled potential to create new jobs, reduce air pollution, accelerate the transition toward climate targets.
A new digital, green, and equitable economy fosters tremendous investment opportunities in both private (e.g., renewable energy installations or electric vehicle charging stations) and public facilities (e.g., digitalisation of electricity and mobility systems). To address this, Barcelona-based YUP is breaking the barriers for better safety parking & charging infrastructures, much needed to cover increasing micromobility vehicles demand. YUP aims to revolutionise the micromobility smart infrastructure, becoming the first European one-stop-shop provider for cities and corporates.
How does YUP work?
Through an iMaaS business model, YUP offers infrastructure network within cities and companies that has now secured more than 170 new customers during the first 24 months. Thanks to their sound financial management and a top-notch team, YUP has already reached financial break-even.
Beyond the value that YUP already brings to the urban mobility landscape through charging stations, lies a colorful roadmap of products and features for both municipalities and corporates with high high-performance capabilities.
The concept of home is a hard one for YUP. With more than 170 projects and 2.500 units delivered during the last 2 years, YUP has one key market: Spain. Currently, more than 40% of their business comes from Spain, and another 60% from 3 other international markets: France, Germany, and Greece.
With a vast experience designing and manufacturing micromobility innovative charging solutions, YUP has the ambition to become European leaders in smart infrastructure development for cities.
Following the acquisition of Zicler in 2022, YUP is planning to double their team in 2023 (recruiting the positions of C-levels and other key positions) and expand/ scale to 5 countries and preparing the expansion in USA, with the goal to deliver up to 10.000 new units and double the number of new clients (split between B2B and B2G).
Why we invested in YUP?
This is why, as an impact-driven investor, we believe that EIT Urban Mobility shall add value to its portfolio companies in many forms.
Capitalizing on the network effects, EIT Urban Mobility has supported YUP on leveraging real sales opportunities through the largest European mobility network for YUP to scale more quickly and gain new consumers at little or no cost.
The second component of our collaboration is that YUP has detailed plans for what they want to build and execute next and why. In our capacity as the largest European mobility ecosystem, EIT Urban Mobility will play a pivotal role in facilitating ongoing investment regulation, positively driven by Next Gen Funds. The current EU horizon for funding opportunities in transport and infrastructure represents in excess of EUR 1.100M ongoing from 2021 to 2027.
From EIT Urban Mobility, we are truly convinced YUP will be able to onboard the most talented urban mobility enthusiasts thanks to their open, respectful and passionate company’s culture and values.
The ultimate goal of raising capital isn’t only about cash. It is also about the new shareholders’ expertise, knowledge and network. The value generated by EIT Urban Mobility has facilitated a smooth cooperation and dynamics with YUP, and we are convinced that both new and existing investors will be loyal supporters of the company in future endeavors. YUP is well on their way to becoming a key player in the new global micromobility infrastructure industry.
Do you want to know more about YUP’s mission and its solutions?
Urbanization is a global trend that is rapidly accelerating, with over half of the world’s population now living in urban areas. SHQUARED contributes to more sustainable urban development by maximizing the use of existing infrastructure and reducing the need for new buildings or parking structures. That´s why we invested in SHQARED!
According to the United Nations, the world’s urban population is expected to reach 68% by 2050, up from 55% in 2018. This rapid growth of urban populations has led to increasing demand for space, resulting in a shortage of land for residential, commercial, and industrial activities. In the context of urban logistics, space is a critical resource that is often limited and expensive.
Micro hubs are a potential solution to this issue, providing smaller and more strategically located logistics facilities that can reduce the need for larger distribution centres and improve last-mile delivery efficiency. And SHQAURED is the answer!
How does SHQUARED contribute to solve this issue?
Finding suitable micro hubs in urban areas can be challenging, especially for small businesses. This is where SHQUARED’s space-sharing platform comes in, providing a practical and sustainable solution to the urban space shortage. The platform enables space owners to rent out and share their underutilized spaces, such as warehouses, garages, or parking lots, as micro hubs for urban logistic companies.
By sharing spaces, urban logistics companies can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable urban logistics ecosystem. Considering that according to a report by the International Transport Forum, micro hubs can reduce delivery distances by up to 40%, resulting in lower delivery costs and reduced congestion and emissions, this is of utmost importance.
Another point to consider is that, according to a study by McKinsey & Company found that logistics and distribution centres occupy approximately 12% of urban land, while generating up to 30% of total urban traffic. Furthermore, the same study found that logistics and delivery costs account for up to 30% of the final price of goods and services in urban areas. And Shquared also plays a role in it, as it is currently working on a project together with the City of Munich to develop an online B2B Market Place for City Logistics Spaces tailored to the needs of the city. In the next months, the team plans to fully roll out their solution in Germany and subsequently in other European cities.
Christian Kink, Co-Founder and CTO at SHQUARED: “Working with the city of Munich on this important topic and with the great support of EIT Urban Mobility allows us to use our space sharing expertise and platform infrastructure to solve an urgent infrastructural problem in Munich and other urban areas. After adjusting our platform and processes to logistic-related requirements we are eager to offer this solution to other cities in Germany and Europe.”
Do you want to know more about SHQUARED’s mission and its solutions?
This is an article of the series Why we invested in? Written by Johannes Kirschner, Investment & Portfolio Manager at EIT Urban Mobility, expressed his enthusiasm for SHQUARED: “I’m thrilled to support SHQUARED’s diverse and motivated team as they work towards making a positive impact on urban logistics in cities. I believe their space-sharing platform has the potential to offer a practical and sustainable solution to urban space shortage, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of existing infrastructure.”
Supporting literature and sources:
SHQUARED Company Info (2022). Retrieved from https://shquared.de/c/logistic
Bicycles are a popular, convenient, and sustainable mode of transportation, but they are also vulnerable to theft and damage. With the increasing popularity of cycling as a mode of transportation, the demand for infrastructure and support for bike riders is on the rise. A solution was needed, and MIOO is the answer.
MIOO Cycling is an app and platform offering smooth bike ownership throughout the bike’s lifecycle. It has been developed by a start-up which is part of our community. The app allows cyclists to keep track of their bike’s service history, book repair and maintenance services, and register the bike in the antitheft and insurance programme. Additionally, the app’s potential for environmental impact aligns with the growing trend of sustainable investing. By investing in these innovative platforms, investors can support a more sustainable and equitable transportation system.
How does MIOO work?
The Swedish bike repair app is making at-home bike services easier than ever. You simply book a time and location through the app and a MIOO Bike Buddy will come to service or repair your bike wherever you are. It provides a range of services, including maintenance, repair, and accessories, making it easy for riders to keep their bikes in top condition. The insurance component protects against theft and damage, giving riders peace of mind. In the event of theft, the app’s antitheft programme enables the tracking of stolen bicycles in real time, increasing the chances of recovery. With MIOO Cycling, cyclists can feel confident and secure, knowing that their bikes are protected and well-maintained.
The difference between MIOO and all the many other mobile bike repairs that exist is that MIOO is not a bike repair mechanic scheme – MIOO is possible thanks to bike buddies. A bike buddy is a private individual that is passionate about bikes and know how to fix and maintain a bike on a every day need basis. Could be your neighbor or someone working next door.
What are the benefits of MIOO?
Firstly, the app’s maintenance services promote the longevity and efficiency of bicycles. Well-maintained bikes require less energy to operate, reducing the overall carbon footprint of cycling as a mode of transportation.
Secondly, the app’s insurance coverage encourages the use of bicycles as a primary means of transportation. By offering protection against theft and damage, the app provides reassurance to bike riders who may otherwise be hesitant to rely on their bikes for everyday use.
Finally, as more people use the app and platform, the demand for bike-friendly infrastructure may increase, leading to a more sustainable and equitable transportation system.
EIT Urban Mobility believes MIOO Cycling has the potential to revolutionize the cycling industry, making it more accessible and convenient for all. We look forward to seeing how this start-up develops and the positive impact it has on the cycling community.
Do you want to know more about #MIOO Cycling’s mission and its solutions? Visit the company website and LinkedIn.
Catarina Andrez – Impact Officer at EIT Urban Mobility, passionate about impact investments and supporting early-stage start-ups in their path to contribute to a future sustainable urban mobility. Contact at: catarina.andrez@eiturbanmobility.eu
EIT Urban Mobility has recently partnered up with three leading mobility players to establish a revolutionary programme for early-stage start-ups: Smart Mobility Accelerator Programme. The Smart Mobility Accelerator Programme is unique in its offering, as it combines the strengths of the different partner organisations (Drive TLV, MobilityXlab and Startup Autobahn powered by Plug & Play) and offers start-ups the opportunities to hone their business model, gain access to mentors, and receive funding for their projects. Through this programme, participating start-ups can benefit from the expertise of the three partner organisations, each of which is a key player in the smart mobility sector.
In addition to offering the necessary expertise, the Smart Mobility Accelerator Programme also provides start-ups with investor pitch coaching, honing the product-market fit and value proposition and a sustainable development goals workshop. This gives participating start-ups the opportunity to explore different avenues for success, both in terms of funding and in terms of developing innovative solutions for the smart mobility sector.
With this tactical partnership, EIT Urban Mobility continues its ambition to become Europe’s leading impact investor in mobility, focusing on the development and implementation of technology with the intent of revolutionising the market and developing a sustainable future. Therefore, Urban Mobility will be able to further pursue its mission of creating a smart, sustainable, and equitable mobility future. If you are interested in learning more about the Smart Mobility Accelerator Programme and the opportunities it provides, please visit the landing page dedicated to the programme.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR START-UPS AT EIT URBAN MOBILITY
If you are a start-up looking for an accelerator programme to help your business grow, but don’t meet the requirements of the previous programme, don’t worry! There are still plenty of options out there. In addition to the Smart Mobility programme, there are 6 other accelerator programmes with open calls that could be just the fit for your business. Each of these programmes has its own individual requirements, so be sure to review them closely before applying. Below, you can find the links to each of these programmes, so take a look and see if one could be a good fit for you.
Submissions for all seven Thematic programmes must be made through AwardsForce and must be received by 21 April 2023.
Learn more about our strategic partners for this new adventure here.
(1) Drive TLV is a leading Israeli innovative hub that supports start-ups in the smart transportation industry by providing a platform that connects leading corporations with the most innovative startups in the world.
(2) MobilityXlab is a Swedish organisation that provides support and resources to develop start-ups in the future mobility sector with pioneering ideas in the fields of mobility and connectivity the opportunity to collaborate with seven of their founding companies: CEVT, Ericsson, Polestar, Veoneer, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group and Zenseact.
(3) STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play is a German organisation that provides an open innovation platform where start-ups and industry leaders can come together to collaborate, share resources, and explore new business opportunities to bring to the market. This strategic partnership grants excellence to the start-ups joining the Smart Mobility Accelerator Programme, as these organisations are key players in the transportation sector.
Last January, the Growth Lab platform was launched. As a service from EIT Urban Mobility, the digital product is aimed at those urban mobility entrepreneurs who are tired of losing time looking for opportunities and people to help them solve challenges. Hence, the Growth Lab combines all these opportunities in one place to give you the most valuable resource of all: time.
The Growth Lab community gathers funding opportunities, calls for projects with cities, the latest sector news, connections with peers in the sector, events, educational content and more.
In a few words, EIT Urban Mobility Growth Lab is the first exclusive community for urban mobility start-ups, where the most promising start-ups Europe-wide are selected to become members.
Growth Lab can help you stay focused on your business since its purpose is to simplify the work life of entrepreneurs acting in the urban mobility sector with everything on one platform. Members will:
Get free credits and discount offers for SaaS products and Cloud providers
Find curated opportunities for growth (funding, network, business)
Continue learning and upskilling via special courses
By being part of the EIT Urban Mobility ecosystem, urban mobility start-ups will get the first opportunity to join the platform and try it out, free of charge, until the end of April, Starting on 1 May, a paying model will be implemented to monetise the project.
Join now and experience how entrepreneurs can save time, receive curated opportunities, and be in the right place with the right people to connect with: https://growthlab.eitum.eu/
Nowadays, the online toolkit for active mobility enthusiasts is abundant and represented by multiple mobile apps having at the core couple of common features: (1) activity tracking; (2) data storage and personal analytics; (3) community building interface; and (4) interoperability with frequently used software. Some of them are aimed at sports fans betting on sophisticated functionalities while the others – to enlarge the total addressable market (TAM) – welcome any type of user. In the past years, in line with public debate on mobility challenges in rapidly growing urban and suburban areas, as well as with the burning issue of global warming, gamification apps for clean mobility gained attention. Since the idea of converting one´s sustainable and healthy choices into benefits is straightforward and building scalable business models in the niché is challenging, the competition is ultimately tough.
Even despite unfavourable winds, many decide to take their ideas and test them in real market conditions. The incentives come from public authorities, ranging from local to governmental bodies, keen on supporting businesses that are clearly citizen-oriented and for the public good. With academia broadly addressing the advantages of such subsidies on health, environment, or local economy, it seems to be a so-called safe bet for public money to be spent. If yes, why is private software subsidized by local authorities not omnipresent and fundamental to short-distance urban commuting?
The answer is complex and subject to the respondent´s profile, however, the traction due date is clear in two points, namely: (i) increasing motivation threshold and (ii) lack of long-term profitability. The first point refers to decreasing motivation as the value of the reward received by the user is perceived over time as insufficient to maintain engagement. A straightforward solution to this problem is not feasible due to the second observation which is a high percentage of bankruptcies for companies losing access to public aid. Central programmes are usually, and due to various reasons, constrained in time, thus sooner or later every venture working with public bodies is about to face the realities of undistorted market competition.
This bumpy trail has been already half-completed by Walk15, one of the recent investees in EIT Urban Mobility´s equity portfolio. With an impact-driven investment thesis and appetite to be a non-local investor across Europe, entering into new geography intertwined with the unveiling of a vertical that was missing the due date. Why did EIT Urban Mobility decide to join the second part of the walk as an investor?
To start with, the main reason lies in clear vision. The impact-driven mission of Walk15 is to assist people in the continuous process of shifting their daily habits towards healthier for themselves and sustainability from an environmental perspective. The company, through its step challenge solution, is working with businesses nudging them to have a closer look at the benefits coming from more motivated and cohesive and physically active employees.
The idea – resonating with the mission of EIT Urban Mobility – was framed in a defensible business model, proved at its early stage with market traction growth of 800% in two years. Walk15 paved the way to the successful closure of its first fundraising following the mechanism discussed above, i.e., gaining the attention and trust of public authorities. However, this was only the very first step in order to increase success odds, followed by swift introductions to investors and businesses in the region. To this date, over 1,000 B2B clients have used paid Walk15 services in Lithuania, Denmark, Latvia, Germany and other countries.
First pilots and commercial cooperations proved that the company is living up to its values on the field, contributing both to society and the environment. As one may believe, it is not only about the steps that have the power to substitute combustion engine vehicles and help to maintain physical shape. Here is also where the reward programme comes into the picture. Different to many similar initiatives where collected points can be traded for discounts for any type of product/service, only actual steps – not points – can be collected in the steps wallet of the app #walk15. Walk15 supports only local, sustainable, and planet-friendly options. In partnership with IKI (part of Rewe Group), a Lithuanian supermarket chain, the consumer could exchange their steps for a discount on fruits and vegetables. The first-of-its-kind deal with National Railways of Lithuania gave steps discounts on train tickets meaning economic reinforcement of multimodal journeys and integrated mobility schemes, being often declared as insufficiently addressed bottleneck by citizens. On the current lookout for fundraising for an expansion to Germany and having potential customers pipeline in Poland, yet much more potential could be unlocked with scale.
To sum up, a high-level strategy complemented by an actionable plan – two inseparable components all investors are keen to see – played strongly in favour of Walk15 when reaching out to EIT Urban Mobility. The company´s name – mentioned in previous paragraphs – always refers to the team that is of utmost importance – especially at the early stages where all the efforts are accompanied by high uncertainty of the results. With the core team stemming from the world of professional sport, and later complemented by highly skilled IT and business profiles, it marks all the boxes of well-optimized human assets.
These are only brief highlights of introducing a Lithuanian company to our community. The investment decision process at EIT Urban Mobility is a multi-stage, structured work with further information and literature available at the dedicated website. To wrap up, and recap on the portfolio-building strategy, it relies on such pillars as supporting inclusive teams; playing the role of non-local investor in vulnerable entrepreneurial ecosystems; and promoting technological excellence with impact embedded at its core.
Do you want to know more about the Walk15 mission and its software? Visit the company website and LinkedIn.
Mateusz Kaluza – investments analyst at EIT Urban Mobility, passionate about data and active mobility. Scouting for impact-driven innovations enabling a shift towards citizen-oriented transportation systems. Contact at: mateusz.kaluza@eiturbanmobility.eu
Urban mobility is undergoing one of the most transformational shifts of a generation. A successful strategy in the industry requires the adoption of a comprehensive and coherent approach, centred on innovative ventures that are disrupting this landscape.
This drastic global transformation may account for the potentially disruptive long-term impacts, where the new pace of living, consuming, and behaving in cities create a new paradigm for mobility companies to develop products, services, and technologies in all facets: collective, individual, and goods transport.
While the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the economy, the crisis has also encountered major opportunities for innovation and investments. Examples of drivers underpinning this ongoing transformation are mobility companies with high financial, and environmental impact and growth potential.
In pursuit of leading positive change and business prosperity, EIT Urban Mobility is granting financial support up to €500.000 per company in mobility ventures to accelerate their journey, continue critical innovation and ultimately transform the European urban mobility landscape.
We look forward to receiving your applications for inclusion in the Business Plan 2023-2025.
Call Main Features
Call for Applications Main Features
Key dates of the call calendar
• Call opens: 3 March 2023
• Cut off dates:
• First cut-off date: 03 May 2023 at 17:00 CET – Eligibility and admissibility check: May 2023 – Pre-screening and evaluation of applications: June 2023 – Communication of result: June 2023
• Second cut-off date: 07 July 2023 at 17:00 CET – Eligibility and admissibility check: July 2023 – Pre-screening and evaluation of applications: August 2023 – Communication of result: August 2023
• Third cut-off date: 29 September 2023 at 17:00 CET – Eligibility and admissibility check: October 2023 – Pre-screening and evaluation of applications: November 2023 – Communication of result: November 2023
• Call closes: 1 October 2023
Total EIT Funding allocated to this call
The total EIT funding allocated to this call are 3M EUR* ** *Out of which up to 1M EUR dedicated to support start-ups from RIS countries only. **The total amount could be increased based on the budget availability of the Impact Ventures Area.
EIT Urban Mobility – Impact Ventures Funding support programme grants funding support to start-ups offering innovative urban mobility solutions to create a more social and healthier environment in cities.
As an impact investor, EIT Urban Mobility invests in solutions that contribute positively to at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sustainable cities and communities, clean energy, and climate action. Furthermore, EIT Urban Mobility encourages inclusive and gender-balanced teams to apply for this funding on green mobility.
To stimulate the talent and entrepreneurial mindset in all of Europe, EIT Urban Mobility pays special attention to start-ups incorporated in the Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), where conservative and risk-avoiding policy-making can slow down change and innovation.
The Funding support programme offering to start-ups includes real product-market fit as well as access to enter international markets faster.
Pre-screening and evaluation criteria applicable to all the topics
For the applications assessment:
• Product & Technology • Market & Business Model • Team • Scalability • Impact (Environment, Society, Health, and Knowledge)
For the online live-pitches assessment:
• Alignment with EITUM vision • Team capability • Impact and financial sustainability • Excellence, novelty, and innovation • Quality and efficiency of the implementation, including sound financial management
For the final selection:
• Strategic fit • Portfolio fit
Info sessions and contact details
Recorded webinars and contact details are available to guarantee the maximum support to the applicants during the proposal’s preparation process.
To help applicants with the preparation and submission of their proposals, EIT Urban Mobility will host one live Call Info Day. It will be focused on the call content, the challenges as well as on the submission and evaluation procedures and the financial aspects. Please find the calendar and the link to register in the table below:
Type of event
Topic covered
Date and time (CET)
Access to platform
Webinar
Call Info Day: Call calendar, evaluation, scope and challenges of the call, KPIs, EU registration numbers (PIC number), evaluation process, contribution to EIT Urban Mobility financial sustainability, end client role, tips to applicants
10 March 2023 at 10:00 AM CET
The recording of the webinar will be available here
In parallel to the call information sessions, all applicants may contact EIT Urban Mobility to resolve any concerns or doubts on the general/technical procedures and call content. These are the key contact details of the EIT Urban Mobility team for questions related to this call:
Type of contact
Email
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