With more than 75% of Europeans living in cities and a pressing need for the transport sector to decarbonise and modernise, the mobility sector stands as the perfect playing field for innovation. At SLUSH, an annual landmark event for the start-up ecosystem, hosted in Helsinki from 30 November to 1 December ; EIT Urban Mobility hosted a side-event featuring mobility industry experts on the perception of start-ups and venture capitalists (VCs) regarding the sector’s current and future trends.  

The panel included Fredrik Hanell, Director of Impact Venture for EIT Urban Mobility; Dr Terhi Vapola, Managing Partner & Founder of Greencode Ventures; and Johan Høgåsen-Hallesby, Co-founder of Beta Mobility. The discussion, moderated by Cate Lawrence, a senior writer at Tech.EU, covered key aspects such as the challenges, opportunities, pitfalls, and trajectory of the sector in the coming years. The session concluded with start-ups in the audience presenting their solutions, and an open discussion on impact investments and on closing the pre-seed/seed funding gap. 

Investments and evaluating impact of a start-up in the mobility sector. 

The panellists emphasised the importance of understanding the complexity and distinctiveness of the mobility sector. Johan Høgåsen-Hallesby highlighted the necessity of comprehending regulations and city dynamics before scaling to new markets. Terhi Vapola stressed the wide scope of the mobility sector, emphasizing the need to adopt suitable models for every start-up entering this field. She stressed that as a VC, she is assessing solutions in relation to local needs, contemplating the adaptability to different city contexts. The panellists also looked into the significance of comprehending the investment strategy of start-ups and their alignment with the urban environment’s growth trajectory. Fredrik Hanell highlighted that mobility start-ups tend to have a higher survival rate due to their market-by-market (city-by-city) approach. 

The discussion further explored the impact of regulations on mobility start-ups, acknowledging that while regulations may introduce instability, they establish a positive framework for start-ups, as seen in the case of scooter companies. The conversation also touched on ethical considerations in the mobility sector, where safety and social impact must be deeply ingrained in every new solution. The panellists acknowledged the importance of measuring success beyond financial metrics, considering environmental and social transitions. They emphasised the need for profound ethical thinking in an industry where lives are at stake. 

ZOOM on the Upright Net Impact Model : In order to measure a company’s net impact, and deliver a transparent view across specific categories, EIT Urban Mobility and Greencode Ventures employ the Upright Net Impact Model, a quantification model that is based on a neural network summarising more than 250 million scientific articles, public statistical databases and a proprietary taxonomy of over 150,000 product and service categories. Although start-ups do not have to do their own assessment both investors agreed that they will look at similar criteria before deciding to invest. According to this model, EIT Urban Mobility’s portfolio scores a 48% positive net impact score, significantly higher than the 40% of the control group of the Upright Benchmark. The start-up companies in the portfolio score especially high on the environmental dimension, +217% compared to benchmark.  

Scaling and financing software or hardware start-up. 

The conversation at SLUSH explored the challenges of scaling, with a focus on business models and with the recognition that some solutions might take longer to scale due to their hardware nature. While hardware companies presently face greater funding challenges compared to their software counterparts, the conversation encouraged start-ups to explore alternative capital sources beyond traditional venture capital. Notably, experts advised aspiring entrepreneurs in the hardware sector to prioritise establishing partnerships within the industry, securing patents, and initiating operations on a smaller scale in a single city before pursuing global expansion. Drawing parallels to historical patterns where investment preferences have transitioned between software and hardware, Fredrik Hanell expressed optimism that the current preference for software investments amongst the VC would shift.  

Rapidly evolving trends and impactful disruptors are reshaping the landscape of the industry, setting the stage for the future. 

As seen over the past several years, changes could occur more quickly and at greater scale than many are prepared for, especially in densely populated areas. The future of mobility looks like a complex ecosystem with actors of various sizes and influence offering different mobility solutions to consumers. The panellists identified capacity issues, electrification, and the enabling aspects of electrification as evident trends in the mobility sector. They also highlighted the impact of new mobility services, data and connectivity, and autonomous vehicles.  

The discussion also touched on the new needs that will emerge from the Global South, emphasising the need for speed and innovative ideas to scale solutions. While Europe boasts an advanced public transport network, novel markets present opportunities for scaling up developed mobility innovations significantly. Against this backdrop, the panellists concluded by advocating continued participation in industry events, acknowledging the difficulties in fundraising over the past year. The message of hope centred on building solutions that align with personal beliefs and have the power to drive meaningful change in the industry.  

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, is proud to announce its partnership with the city of Heraklion and Civinet Greece-Cyprus, the network of Greek cities for mobility, to address urban mobility challenges.

This collaboration will bring a total of 13 innovative bike stations throughout the city at the end of November. An event to showcase the new biking facilities will take place Sunday 3 December at 11.00 a.m., at Georgiadis Park. Join the event: National innovation for cycling in Heraklion.

In the wake of the European Union’s recent Declaration on Cycling, announced just a few weeks ago as a major push for cycling across Europe, our partnership with the city of Heraklion takes on even greater significance. Heraklion is one of the leading Greek cities when it comes to the pedestrianization of the city centre, which in recent years has encouraged more pedestrian and bicycle travel. The city centre is a circle of approximately 350m radius and mostly pedestrianized. For this reason, the city believes it could encourage more commuters to use their bike or kick scooter instead of their private car when accessing to the city centre.

Exploring solutions, Heraklion is embarking on a strategic initiative to establish micro-mobility hubs throughout the city. As the largest city in Crete and the fourth-largest in Greece, with a population of around 174,000 residents (surging to nearly 1 million during the summer), Heraklion is dedicated to providing its citizens and visitors with safe, convenient locations to park their bicycles and e-bikes after their journeys.

At its core, this project aims to elevate active mobility, with a particular focus on micro-mobility and bike-mobility. The objective is to deploy secure and sustainable infrastructure for bike and kickscooter parking at strategically selected points throughout the city. These hubs, featuring a flexible modular design accommodating 4 to 10 bicycles and e-bikes, cater to both spontaneous parking and charging requirements for registered users. These infrastructure enhancements are envisioned to enhance the overall quality of life for Heraklion’s residents, contribute meaningfully to climate change mitigation efforts, and foster a more robust and dependable urban mobility sector. Two innovative solution providers have been selected for funding in this project:

• Rastel.io will deliver 10 units to be installed outside of the old town. These smart and secure bike parking hubs come equipped with e-bike charging capabilities and can be accessed through the Rastel.io mobile app.
• DonCicleto will provide 3 units to be installed in the old town. The Bikehangar, their modular and scalable bike and scooter parking solution, offers protection against vandalism, inclement weather, and theft.

Installation of these units is taking place during the month of November, with the facilities set to be operational by the end of November.

Safe bike parking facilities will encourage more cyclists to use e-bikes, which is expected to increase the number of cyclists for long peri-urban distance trips and trips to uphill destinations. This pilot implementation is funded for a period of six months. The success of these pilot installations will be evaluated at the end of the six-month period to gauge their effectiveness and assess the potential benefits of a long-term implementation of the tested solutions.

Vassilis Lambrinos, Mayor of Heraklion said: “We are participating in this initiative with the aim to encourage more people to choose the bicycle as a means of transportation. The promotion of Sustainable Mobility is always a policy priority for us.”

Gareth Macnaughton, Director of the Innovation at EIT Urban Mobility said: “EIT Urban Mobility is thrilled to collaborate with the city of Heraklion to tackle urban mobility challenges. We are proud to work with innovative solution providers Rastel.io and DonCicleto, whose leading solutions focus attention on Heraklion. These pilot installations will pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient urban mobility future in Heraklion.”

Maria-Paula Caycedo, Head of Innovation for Hub South: “Collaborating with Heraklion to implement the project will lead to many benefits. The programme allows a pilot fostering innovation and support the sustainable urban development of the city. EIT Urban Mobility is working in collaboration with cities like Heraklion to further foster Greece and Europe’s dynamic mobility development landscape.”

The EIT Campus, the European Institute of Innovation & Technology’s flagship online learning platform, is participating at the upcoming European Education Summit on November 30, 2023. The Summit, an annual flagship event of the European Commission’s Education Area (EEA), brings together policymakers from EU institutions and the European education and training communities. In addition to its participation in the Summit, the EIT Campus is gearing up for its anniversary in January, marking a year of substantial achievements. The EIT Campus has played a pivotal role in innovative and entrepreneurial education, featuring a diverse range of educational activities and opportunities.

The European Commission is eager to train and reskill workers across all member states.

In 2023, the European Commission launched the Year of Skills initiative – a new strategy to boost upskilling, training, and innovation initiatives across member states. Within that framework, the EIT Campus was launched, on January 10, 2023, introducing an online platform housing over 200 courses, addressing crucial thematic areas such as climate, food, urban mobility, manufacturing, health, digital and raw materials provided by the EIT Community. This platform serves as a central entry point for students and professionals seeking to expand their knowledge while emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship. After a year, over 40,000 users, ranging from professional and students, have actively explored the dynamic landscape of the EIT Campus.

EIT Campus, an online training platform celebrates it’s one year of existence.

Led by EIT Urban Mobility, representatives from the EIT Campus initiative will attend the Summit, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in education. The EIT Campus will feature its dedicated stand, serving as a platform to network and discuss its role in upskilling the future labour market in Europe. EIT Urban Mobility is highly engaged in this initiative as transport is continuously mentioned as a sector where significant labour shortages or skills mismatch are experienced, but also addressing gender unbalanced.

About EIT Campus: The EIT Campus is an initiative by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology, providing a centralized platform for innovative and entrepreneurial education and skill development. The platform offers a diverse range of courses and opportunities to students and professionals across Europe, contributing to the region’s digital and green transitions. For further information about the EIT Campus and its initiatives, please visit https://eit-campus.eu/.

Barcelona, Spain, (21 November 2023) – EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU and a driving force in sustainable mobility solutions, is set to headline Slush 2023 with a focus on impact-driven investments and the significant role of women-led start-ups. The organisation’s involvement in the renowned event, will allow to share insights and perspectives on the future of the mobility sector.  

EIT Urban Mobility will lead a session at Slush 2023 titled:

“Where to invest next in the mobility sector.”

Scheduled for the 1st of December at 11:30 am GMT+2, room 101D 

The session will feature Fredrik Hanell, Director of Impact Venture for EIT Urban Mobility, Dr. Terhi Vapola, Managing Partner & Founder Greencode Ventures, member of European Women in VC and Johan Høgåsen- Hallesby Co-founder Beta Mobility discussing key aspects such as the unique challenges and opportunities in mobility investments, potential pitfalls, and the trajectory of the sector in the coming years. The session will be moderated by Cate Lawrence, senior writer at Tech.EU. 

To enlarge the chances of impactful start-ups, EIT Urban Mobility has invited a dozen of its portfolio start-ups to Slush 2023. The start-ups invited Cogo (Denmark); Geofluxus (The Netherlands); Elonroad (Sweden); Zeabuz (Norway); ITC (Israel); Vonzu (Spain); Met3r (Hungary); Bia (Spain); Meight (Portugal); Dreamwaves (Austria); Mioo (Sweden). 

After 5 years in existence, EIT Urban Mobility launches its first impact report of their investment portfolio.  

EIT Urban Mobility’s investment strategy focuses on creating positive outcomes for both people and the planet while ensuring competitive market returns. The organisation evaluates portfolio companies based on impact metrics and financial indicators, emphasizing a commitment to businesses that contribute to a net positive impact on the world. In a mere span of four years, our start-up portfolio has surpassed industry standards in terms of potential for societal and environmental improvement. An impressive 44% of start-ups under our umbrella are steered by leaders who are women, in contrast to the industry average of 18%. 

In order to measure a company’s net impact, and deliver a transparent view across specific categories, we employ the Upright Net Impact Model, a quantification model that is based on a neural network summarising more than 250 million scientific articles, public statistical databases and a proprietary taxonomy of over 150,000 product and service categories. According to this model, EIT Urban Mobility’s portfolio scores a 48% positive net impact score, significantly higher than the 40% of the control group of the Upright Benchmark. The start-up companies in the portfolio score especially high on the environmental dimension, +217% compared to benchmark.  

“While traditional ESG (environmental, social, and governance) approaches are valuable for ensuring that companies adhere to responsible practices, EIT Urban Mobility recognises their limitations when it comes to cultivating the companies our future requires. Therefore, we invest in net positive impact-oriented companies to accomplish their objectives of creating liveable urban areas.” commented Fredrik Hanell, Director Impact Ventures EIT Urban Mobility, “We maintain a strict focus on evaluating our portfolio companies based on their impact metrics as well as financial indicators. Our ultimate goal is to boost businesses that do tangible good in the world, creating a net positive impact on our planet.” 

The portfolio companies play a crucial role in addressing the complex urban mobility challenges that cities around the world face through the development of sustainable solutions. The report aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the sustainability efforts and outcomes of these dynamic companies, shedding light on their contributions to create a more sustainable and liveable urban future. 

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EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, is driving the necessary shift towards a greener future for urban mobility by co-organising with Fira de Barcelona, Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress (TMWC). TMWC, serves as an essential platform for global leaders, experts, and visionaries to convene and foster collaborative efforts aimed at reshaping the future of urban mobility. From 7 to 9 November in Barcelona, this congress, in the framework of Smart City Expo, facilitates knowledge-sharing and drives innovative solutions for a smarter, cleaner, and more interconnected urban mobility landscape.

As CEO of EIT Urban Mobility and President of the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress Advisory Board, Maria Tsavachidis emphasises the critical need for expedited action in light of recent warnings from the IPCC[1] and the European Union on climate change. “We stand at a pivotal moment, where the urgency of climate action demands a radical shift in the way we approach urban mobility. With the transportation sector identified as a significant contributor to the climate crisis, EIT Urban Mobility advocates for a reimagined and integrated approach to mobility in cities, emphasising the importance of multimodality. This strategic approach leverages the unique strengths of various transport modes, enabling a seamless and sustainable transition towards environmentally conscious urban transportation systems.”

According to the findings from a study by EIT Urban Mobility, the transition towards sustainable urban mobility in Europe is expected to necessitate an additional €86 billion by 2030. Encouragingly, this investment is projected to yield substantial returns, with each euro allocated to the transition potentially generating up to €3.06 by 2030. Results[2] show that by 2030 pricing schemes (congestion and pollution charging, parking pricing, public transport integrated ticketing and tariff schemes) is the set of measures with the highest net benefits in small and medium cities, while innovative services (Demand Responsive Transport, autonomous vehicles, Intelligent Transport Systems) are the better choice for large cities’ transition pathways.

EIT Urban Mobility releases during the event its latest study on “Unlocking the Future of Mobility with European Data Spaces” in collaboration with Factual and i2CAT. With at least 400 mobility data sharing initiatives currently active in Europe, today’s mobility data landscape is scattered and requires better interoperability to deliver its full potential and enable seamless multimodality. As mobility is not only a strategic sector but also a vector that connects other economic areas of activity, the relevance and potential of data spaces for mobility is even greater. 

At a macroeconomic level, the European Commission estimates that the access to real-time information on traffic avoidance and train delays could save up to 730 million euros and 27 million hours, respectively, equivalent to more than €20.74 billion in labour cost savings.  The Mobility Data Space (MDS) framework should include:

• Optimisation of mobility strategies through enhanced access to high-quality data.
• Simplification of navigation across various transportation networks, leading to improved services and sales forecasts.
• Empowerment of citizens through improved mobility options, reduced journey times, and access to reliable traffic information.
• Enhancements in safety through up-to-date road condition data, facilitating informed decision-making for safer journeys.
• Business opportunities for data vendors, cost savings through shared resources, and the fostering of joint innovation for enhanced user experiences.

The recent launch of the Cycling Declaration has been a significant stride forward, aligning with the European Year of Skills initiative that aims to bolster education and skill expansion across Europe. As European cities today face the fundamental challenge of empty, single, and low occupancy passenger transport vehicles, a trend that is worsening every year, with more than 560 passenger car and 81 commercial cars per 1000 inhabitants (2022). This escalating trend underscores the urgent necessity for sustainable, accessible, and inclusive transportation solutions, emphasising the importance of tools such as mobility data space and comprehensive multimodality planning.

[1] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

[2] 779 European cities of more than 50K inhabitants

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the EU, has awarded Zeabuz, a pioneering start-up from Trondheim, Norway, the prestigious Special Category Prize on Urban Mobility for their exceptional contribution to the future of sustainable transportation during the fifth edition of the European Start-up Prize for Mobility (EUSP).

The award was presented at a prestigious event, within the European Parliament, that featured a high-level panel, including notable industry leaders such as Kris Peeters, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Clément Beaune, Minister Delegate for Transport of France, Thierry Guimbaud, General Director of VNF, Maria Tsavachidis, CEO of EIT Urban Mobility, and Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director ad interim at Europe’s Rail. The event centered around the critical theme of “The Road towards a European Start-up Continent.'” (See the online streaming of the event)

Zeabuz, initially a spin-off from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), has created a name for itself by championing scalable and efficient autonomous inland waterway transport, exemplifying their commitment to pioneering ground-breaking solutions in the field of urban mobility. The company’s mission to tap into the largely unexplored market for inland waterway transport has garnered significant attention from both national and international investors, validating the reality of their vision. Zeabuz’s pioneering work in developing the world’s first commercial autonomous urban passenger ferry, named Zeam, has demonstrated the potential for significant environmental impact by reducing traffic congestion, emissions, and noise pollution. The company’s commitment to sustainable solutions through the use of electric and solar-powered ferries is a testament to their dedication to a cleaner and greener urban transportation landscape.

Speaking at the event, Maria Tsavachidis, CEO of EIT Urban Mobility emphasized the significance of Zeabuz’s approach in not just providing solutions but also reframing the challenges within the urban mobility space. The organisation highlighted the critical need for innovative solutions to enhance transportation sustainability and efficiency in Europe and globally. Zeabuz’s remarkable strides in revolutionising waterborne mobility have positioned them as a catalyst for change within the industry.

On top of this, EIT Urban Mobility is proud to announce that a start-up from its portfolio, Nudgd, has won the award of Female Entrepreneur of the year. Nudgd is a SaaS Platform using behavioural science to establish climate friendly habits by switching from cars to active mobility and public transportation. CEO and Founder of Nudgd, Katharina Paoli Brunat, the awardee, is a Swedish entrepreneur with a passion for sustainable business and sustainable lifestyle. Katharina is well experienced in implementing nudging and behavioural impact projects for both municipal authorities and companies. She will be a speaker at the upcoming Tomorrow Mobility World Congress, an event co-organised by EIT Urban Mobility and Fira de Barcelona, on the 7-9 of November in Barcelona.

With increasing urbanization and the associated rise in population in urban areas, decarbonization of cities has become an ever-growing challenge. In this context and given the unprecedented levels of pollutants generated by urban traffic, IMAGINEXT is validating a Software as a Service Solution that uses Artificial Intelligence to explore how certain mobility strategies and sustainable transport measures affect air quality. The sensors for this were set up in Lindau on Lake Constance, Germany and in Cartagena, Spain.

An event of the IMAGINEXT project took place in Lindau, on the 25th of October, where all project partners met in person for the first time, including the project leaders from Spain and Germany showcasing how collaboration can work on a European level.

The IMAGINEXT project is co-funded by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. The pilot project aims to combat air pollution caused by mobility. The project represents innovative approaches in different areas of sustainable mobility and aims to have a positive impact on the community.

“Mobility research is a central part of our daily work; our main focus is to use our expertise and resources to promote innovation and progress within logistics and mobility. The cooperation within IMAGINEXT opens up another possibility for us to develop groundbreaking solutions that positively influence the design and optimisation of decision-making processes. Thus we want to contribute to sustainable mobility itself. With projects like IMAGINEXT, we want to encourage and foster collaboration between governments, urban planners, research / academia and industry. We are looking forward to the cooperation and the achievement of more sustainable and socially acceptable mobility in urban environments.” emphasises Prof. Dr. Uwe Clausen, Director of Fraunhofer-Institute for Materialflow and Logistics (IML).

Situated at the Lake Constance in Bavaria, Lindau is located in an island where several mobility strategic planning processes have been carried out and decided upon in recent years, such as the reconstruction of normal Street in to Cycling streets. Lindau has been therefore a perfect location for IMAGINEXT. The pilot has been undertaken during the reconstruction of their Cycling Streets, so the AQ can be measured before and after the reconstruction.

“We are pleased that Lindau is part of the IMAGINEXT research project. We hope that the project results will enable us to measure the impact of our mobility measures and thus promote sustainable mobility on site in a targeted manner. Only in this way is it possible for us as a city to make traffic more environmentally friendly in the long term and to introduce new mobility solutions and technologies for citizens and guests. Networking with other innovation actors at EU level is an important part of this.” says Lindau’s Major Dr. Claudia Alfons.

During the event, experts and project managers explained the current status of IMAGINEXT and pointed out initial results and successes. The participants of the event also visited together the new bicycle lane at Bregenzer Str., which was equipped with one of the sensors.

IMAGINEXT is a project under the support of EIT Urban Mobility.

November 7 to 9, 2023 – Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain

Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress (TMWC) is the global event that drives innovation and sustainability in urban transportation. This year, for its third edition TMWC is set to take place under the theme “Make your Move Matter.”

TMWC, jointly organised by Fira Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the EU, promises to shift gears towards sustainable urban mobility with a focus on real implementation. The congress will act as a platform for urban mobility experts and enthusiasts, featuring an extensive programme covering critical topics for the future of the sector.

Among the more than 100 speakers are Timothy Papandreou, former Chief Innovation Officer at San Francisco MTA and advisor for X Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory; Karima Delli, Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism at the European Parliament; Seleta Reynolds, Chief Innovation Officer at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Jacob Bangsgaard, Secretary General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism at the FIA; and Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation.

Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, held within the framework of Smart City Expo World Congress, will welcome more than 25,000 in-person attendees, more than 1,000 exhibitors, 600 speakers, 140 countries, for more than 150 conference and panel.

PRESS PROGRAMME 

The full programme is available here 

09:30 – 10:30 | Welcome & Opening by Maria Tsavachidis, CEO of EIT Urban Mobility and President of Tomorrow.Mobility. Auditorium

10:30 – 12:00 | All aboard! The future of transport is public. This session will also be presenting the results of first study on micro-incentives for mobility. Tomorrow.Mobility Room

12:00 – 13:30|Keynote: Tim Papandreou, CEO of Emerging Transport Advisors, on how the latest technological innovations will impact our mobility systems. Auditorium

12:30 – 13:30 | Public-private partnerships for impact-driven mobility innovation. Auditorium

13:45– 15:15 | Unlocking the potential of mobility data. Tomorrow.Mobility Room

Join this discussion examining the complex topic of data and the role cities can play in leading the way to making an EU-wide mobility data space a reality. The session will present the results of the new study conducted on the potential of a data-based mobility economy in Europe, in providing not only technical solutions, sovereignty but also creating new business and service models. 

15:00 – 15:30| Tour of latest innovative mobility start-ups. meeting at the EIT Urban Mobility Booth.

15:45 – 17:15 | Fair moves: towards just and accessible urban mobility for all. Tomorrow.Mobility Room

9:45 – 10:15 | Keynote: Seleta Reynolds’, Los Angeles Metro’s Chief Innovation Officer, on leadership and how practitioners can drive positive change for their communities with improved mobility options. Auditorium

10:15 – 11:00 | Extreme Weather events call for extreme action in the mobility sector. Auditorium

The panel will include high level representatives from the City of Leipzig, Union for the Mediterranean, WRI Ross Centre for sustainable cities, European Cyclists’ Federation, International Road Federation, City of Copenhagen. The panel will be headed by Akshat Rathi, Senior climate Editor at Bloomberg. 

11:30 – 12:15 | Press briefing by Maria Tsavachidis, CEO of EIT Urban Mobility and President of Tomorrow.Mobility on the state of play and future of mobility. Room 42 – Level 1 – Upstairs

12:30-13:30 | The power of cross-border journalism – networking lunch with Clean Energy Wire CLEW. Press room.

A chance to meet colleagues, to get to know the Clean Energy Wire CLEW and to learn about its opportunities to collaborate with journalists from across the globe. Big transformation challenges like fixing the climate crisis, building sustainable mobility and cities or creating an inclusive digital environment have one thing in common: solutions and problems go beyond national borders. During the networking lunch, CLEW will present its latest grant opportunity for journalists on the question of what a just green transition in Europe can look like.

13:30-14:00 | Demo zone presentation by Gareth Macnaughton, Director EIT Urban Mobility. Meeting at the demo zone.

13:00h – 14:30 | Powering the Electric Mobility Transition. Tomorrow.Mobility Room

15:00 – 16:15 | Venture capital crunch: a crisis for mobility start-ups? Tomorrow.Mobility Room

9:30 – 11:00 | Why we should care about autonomous mobility. Tomorrow.Mobility Room

11.00 – 12:00 | Networking Brunch at EIT Urban Mobility’s booth.

12:45 – 13:15 | Keynote: Tamira Snell, Senior Advisor at Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies on how evolving behaviours can be harnessed to shape a brighter mobility future. Auditorium

Press registration 

If you wish to cover Smart City Expo World Congress and Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, you can apply for a press/analyst pass that will allow you to access the exhibition area, conferences, and side events. Press Registration | Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress  

PrepDSpace4Mobility has successfully completed its 12-month project period with the presentation of a comprehensive analysis report that lays out possible roadmaps for the common European mobility data space (EMDS). Built on extensive stakeholder engagement activities, workshops, and surveys, the report provides a detailed examination of foundational principles, technical developments, and business and governance models. The analyses reveal multiple pathways for the evolution of the future EMDS. In a collective effort, all stakeholders involved must collaboratively shape the EMDS’ future direction and roles within its expansive framework.

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, was actively engagement in the project and will integrate its learning in other future projects on Mobility Data Space in which it is engaged in.

The full report is published here by next Monday:PrepDSpace4Mobility (mobilitydataspace-csa.eu)

Empowering Europe’s data economy

The new State of the Digital Decade report reveals that 75 % of Europeans emphasise the need for stronger cybersecurity, improved connectivity, and enhanced data protection. Currently, the EU relies on foreign sources for more than 80 % of its digital products, services, infrastructures, and intellectual property[1]. The EMDS will transform the way mobility connects Europe by unlocking the potential of mobility data with a cross-sectoral approach to data harmonisation and interoperability. Data-based decision-making will foster new use cases and innovations in addressing cross-border mobility and logistics challenges, empowering Europe’s businesses and citizens.

Bridging the knowledge and technology gap

The future EMDS must offer a technical infrastructure and governance mechanisms that meet the demands of the diverse European stakeholder landscape.  While the report acknowledges the transformative vision of the EMDS, it highlights stakeholders’ concerns about the clarity of the EMDS’ value proposition for the different parties involved. The business model of the EMDS must go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach but empower participants to create value tailored to unique use cases through innovative solutions.

Technical governance as the backbone of the EMDS

For data to flow seamlessly and securely across European data spaces, the report stresses the need for a robust technical governance framework. It is comprised of a multi-level and bi-directional structure that facilitates interoperability at a base level for all sectoral data spaces. This structure is to guarantee a harmonised approach to data sovereignty, trust, and discoverability throughout the European data sharing environment; they lay the groundwork for an equal and empowering data space approach, assuring that data remains under the control of its rightful owner, that only verified entities can engage in data exchanges, and that data can be accessed and found in a harmonised process throughout all data spaces.

Readers of the report can expect an in-depth analysis of the EMDS initiative, covering data gaps, business models, governance, legal considerations, technical aspects, data interoperability, trust, and data value creation. The report also underlines alignment with key EU initiatives and offers recommendations for creating an interoperable, secure, and value-driven mobility data sharing environment in Europe.

Looking ahead

While the report points to several requirements, the future governance structure of the EMDS is not yet finalised. PrepDSpace4Mobility’s analysis report highlights five potential approaches to the operational role of the EMDS, each offering a unique path forward with distinct opportunities and challenges. Possible options are to create a(n):

1. European Commission-led authority 
2. Member State led European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) for mobility and logistics data
3. European Association of existing data spaces in mobility 
4. European-level regulatory or certification framework 
5. Expert Working Group defining and disseminating interoperability guidelines for various mobility and logistics data ecosystems. 

The final governance structure for the EMDS remains to be decided and needs careful consideration of the governance and technical options presented in the report. Further, the evolution of resources provided by the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC), the expanding set of horizontal data regulations, and the development of shared middleware for European data spaces require continuous assessment and flexibility. Future initiatives and projects supporting the EMDS require strong policy directions in order to provide a clear pathway. Finally, planning stability will be crucial for all stakeholders engaged in mobility data sharing initiatives.

About PrepDSpace4Mobility

Press releases of the project:

1/12/2022 17 partners across Europe to lay the foundation for a common European mobility data space – EIT Urban Mobility

30/04/2023 400 data sharing ecosystems exist within the EU in the mobility sector – EIT Urban Mobility

PrepDSpace4Mobility contributes to the European Commission’s Strategy for Data. By mapping existing mobility and transport data ecosystems, an extensive catalogue of European transport data ecosystems was created. Building on these activities, technical building blocks and suitable governance frameworks for securely sharing data and managing data exchange across Europe were identified. A consortium of 17 partners, kicked off the Preparatory Action for the Data Space for Mobility (PrepDSpace4Mobility) project in October 2022. Led and coordinated by acatech (Germany), activities were carried out by Amadeus SAS (France), EIT Urban Mobility,  an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the European Union, (Spain), FIWARE (Germany), FhG (Germany), IDSA (Germany), iSHARE (Netherlands), TNO (Netherlands), USI (Germany), VTT (Finland), EMTA (France), Group ADP (France), KU Leuven (Belgium), ERTICO (Belgium), BAST (Germany), UIH (Hungary), and MDS (Germany). The European Commission has dedicated one million Euro to the 12-month project, funded under the Digital Europe Programme.

[1] Special Eurobarometer SP532: “The digital decade”, March 2023

World of eMobility, Expo Greater Amsterdam, Vijfhuizen, Netherlands

27 October 2023, 10.00-17.00 CET.

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, in partnership with the Dutch Research Institute for Transitions, Witteven + Bos, Barend Koolhaas Studio, Rebel Group, and The Lab of Thought, is excited to announce the upcoming ‘Radical Design’ Transition Arena, scheduled for October 27, 2023, at World of eMobility Expo Greater Amsterdam. This event is set to redefine the dialogue around sustainable urban mobility transitions.

EIT Urban Mobility aims to pioneer the Transition Arena in the Sustainable Mobility Transition domain, providing vital insights into the profound metamorphoses unfolding in cities worldwide. Tailored for urban architects, planners, and mobility professionals, the event will establish the ‘Radical Design’ Transition Arena as a hub for dynamic discussions and innovation, featuring esteemed panellists and thought leaders converging to shape the future of urban mobility. Engaging topics such as human-centered design, carless city zones, low-speed vehicles, behavioural change through design, mobility data spaces, public transport innovations, and the integration of decarbonization, electrification, and hydrogen adoption will be explored in depth.

The lineup of speakers includes: Harro Wieringa (Team Leader Urban Design, Witteveen + Bos); Derk Loorbach (Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Director at DRIFT); Martin Guit (Strategic Advisor Mobility, Rebelgroup); Barend Koolhaas (Owner, Studio Barend Koolhaas); Marcel Schreuder (Founder, Springtime); Marco te Brömmelstroet (Professor, University of Amsterdam)

PROGRAMME

10:00 – 10:15 Opening & Introduction Moderator: Geert Kloppenburg Brief overview of the day’s agenda.

10:15 – 11:00 Welcome speech by Willem-Frederik Metzelaar, Director of Innovation Hub West – EIT Urban Mobility

11:00 – 11:45 Derk Loorbach (Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Director at DRIFT). Topic: Transition Arena Approach Q&A and Discussion

11:45 – 12:30 Martin Guit (Strategic Advisor Mobility, Rebelgroup). Topic: Transition Arena Rotterdam Q&A and Discussion

12:30 – 13:30 Participants will enjoy a networking lunch and explore the exhibition.

13:30 – 14:15 Harro Wieringa (Team Leader Urban Design, Witteveen + Bos). Topic: Examples of Radical Design Q&A and Discussion

14:15 – 15:00 Barend Koolhaas (Owner, Studio Barend Koolhaas) & Marcel Schreuder (Founder, Springtime). Topic: Minimal Vehicles Q&A and Discussion

15:15 – 17:00 Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet and students from The Lab of Thought. Topic: Non-Boring Mobility Innovations Presentation on their publication and insights Debate lead by Geert Kloppenburg.

17:00 Wrap-up & networking drinks

REGISTRATION: Interested parties are encouraged to secure their spot by registering here https://bit.ly/TransitionArena or by contacting the team at west@eiturbanmobility.eu for further inquiries.

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, is partnering up of the upcoming Micromobility America event, scheduled to take place in San Francisco, California, USA, on October 19 and 20, 2023. This partnership allows to shine light on Europe’s innovation on a global scale in the global micromobility and urban mobility communities.  

Micromobility America is a renowned global platform dedicated to advocating for small vehicles and their potential to revolutionise urban landscapes. As a European leader of impact investment in up-and-coming start-ups of the mobility sector, EIT Urban Mobility has supported 350 start-ups, more than 80 promising ventures from 35 countries with portfolio encompassing a wide range of verticals and stages. 

EIT Urban Mobility’s Director of impact ventures, Fredrik Hanell, will participate in a panel discussion titled “Powering the Future: Unlocking Public-Private Resources for Micromobility Start-ups.”  

Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at the City Stage Track. He will be joined by other distinguished panellists to explore innovative ways to support micromobility start-ups, including Janine Ward, State of Michigan; Julia Thayne, Rocky Mountain Institute; Sean Flood, Today. 

Among the notable start-ups of its portfolio, representing EIT Urban Mobility at Micromobility America are: 

• MIOO Cycling – A bicycle service that brings convenience to your doorstep. 
• Cogo – A shared mobility app facilitating efficient transportation solutions. 

EIT Urban Mobility and Micromobility industries partnered up in May 2022, in order to support and develop a stronger global and European Ecosystem of players that believe in the impact that small vehicles can have. As part of this partnership, EIT Urban Mobility join forces with the Micromobility team to set-up a pan-European investor meeting. In the Micromobility Europe event in June 2023, EIT Urban Mobility hosted on the main stage a panel on ‘Fundraising and the Power of the Ecosystem’ discussed funding, inclusivity and global collaborations (available online Fundraising & the Power of the Ecosystem). The speakers included David Schwartz, the CEO of Via ID, Fredrik Hanell, the Director of Impact Ventures in EIT Urban Mobility, Michelle Nacouzi, VP in Northzone and Andrea Mocellin founder of inclusive mobility startup Revolve.  

The event will gather over 100 experts aiming to speed a global revolution

Is a shared mobility data space the ultimate enabler of a revolution in global transportation? How can zero-emission vehicles spearhead the fight against climate change? Will public autonomous mobility lead us to the future? These are some of the questions that over 100 international experts will address in Barcelona from November 7 to 9 at Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress (TMWC), an event jointly organized by Fira de Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

The conference program is structured around 8 themes – Data Spaces, Inclusivity, Affordability & Fairness; Connected, Cooperative & Automated Mobility; Sustainable Urban Logistics; Multimodality; Urban Air Mobility; Energy Transition; and Active Mobility – and will focus on some of the key topics, including strategies to support public transport as a crucial element to make cities more liveable and meet ambitious emission reduction targets, the creation of a shared mobility data space to deploy extensive multimodal travel, and overcoming the challenges to fully implement autonomous vehicles.

Among the more than 100 speakers are Timothy Papandreou, former Chief Innovation Officer at San Francisco MTA and advisor for X (Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory); Karima Delli, Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism at the European Parliament; Seleta Reynolds, Chief Innovation Officer at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Jacob Bangsgaard, Secretary General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism at the FIA; and Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation.

Maria Tsavachidis, President of Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress and CEO of EIT Urban Mobility, said: “As we prepare for the Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, we are constantly reminded of the urgency to create more sustainable urban mobility solutions. The mobility sector is a strategic one as it acts as a connector to all economic activities. As cities strive towards climate neutrality, we can see that technological innovations alone will not be enough to reach this goal, but working in collaboration across sectors and geographies will be key to our mutual success. Bringing together over 600 speakers and 25.000 attendees, this year’s congress focuses on eight strategic enablers for sustainable urban mobility growth, offering numerous touchpoints for discussions and joint action. As such, this third edition of Tomorrow.Mobility will act as an opportunity to share knowledge and solutions, leading us to a smarter, cleaner, and more interconnected future of mobility.”

Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress will also feature an exhibition space where 130 companies including BSM, Deloitte, KIA, Moventis, PTV Group, PWC, Racc, Renfe, and Sener will showcase their latest products. In addition, many institutions such as Alamys, AMB, FGC, TMB, CARNET, ETRA, and International Road Federation, Polis, will also take part in TMWC.

Global Hub of Innovation

Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress will be held alongside Smart City Expo World Congress, Tomorrow.Building, Tomorrow.BlueEconomy – focusing on the opportunities of the blue economy – and PuzzleX, setting an unparalleled knowledge platform that strengthens the role of the event as a global hub of urban solutions capable of providing answers to the challenges that our society faces. All together the events will gather over 25,000 visitors, 1,000, over 800 cities and more than 600 speakers in Barcelona.