Mobility Startups Can Apply For The Smart Cities Global Startup Contest By 30 November!

The Smart Cities Global Startup Contest is an initiative from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and MassChallenge Switzerland, part of MassChallenge’s global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. The contest identifies the most promising startups and gives them a platform to grow their network. The deadline to apply is Saturday, 30 November 2019 at 23:59 CET.

Connecting Startups With Key Mobility Stakeholders

In 2017, the FIA created the FIA Smart Cities initiative to contribute to the implementation of the UN New Urban Agenda, with the aim of helping cities to define new models for more sustainable urban mobility.

As part of this initiative, the FIA organizes the FIA Smart Cities Global Startup Contest with MassChallenge. The aim is to select & support the growth of 18 promising mobility startups as well as give them a platform to grow their network and visibility by connecting them to – in multinational corporates, government and public institutions.

Looking For Connectivity, Safety, Multi-Modal Mobility & Society-Focused Mobility Services

The goal of this edition is to leverage the huge innovative potential of the global startup community to address and improve urban transport. For the FIA, this means innovation in the area of connectivity and data in transport, new safety applications, multi-modal mobility, and society-focused mobility services.

“With the FIA Smart Cities Global Startup Contest, we are offering visionary entrepreneurs an outstanding platform to present their innovative ideas to high-level experts, gain prime visibility, and effectively accelerate change towards a safer, more sustainable and inclusive urban mobility,” said Andrew McKellar, FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism.

Opportunity To Develop In The Swiss/EU Market

After submitting an online application, selected startups will be invited to pitch in one of three cities around the world during the FIA Smart Cities Forum and E-Prix weekend. Travel and accommodation will be covered for up to USD1,000 per startup to facilitate attendance. From there, 18 of the startups will be invited to take part in the full FIA Smart Cities experience, designed to grow their network with key mobility stakeholders such as ABB, Michelin, ENEL and Julius Bär and gain media exposure via the FIA’s and MassChallenge’s websites and social media channels.

FIA Smart Cities’ startups will also have the opportunity to attend MassChallenge’s startup accelerator program in Switzerland. The well-known startup accelerator program has already helped hundreds of innovators and entrepreneurs to grow their business. In addition, MassChallenge will offer office space and unrivaled access to a network of relevant corporate partners, to help them develop in the Swiss/EU market.

Mobility-Focused Tech Startups From Seed To Series C+

Smart Cities Global Startup Contest is looking for mobility-focused technology startups that:

• Are from Seed to Series C+: What’s important is that your startup already has some traction. The benefit of the program is meeting someone who can help you scale your idea.
• Have Impactful, Viable and Innovative Ideas:
  • Impactful: to massively benefit society and people living in cities
  • Viable: easily adopted by consumers, governments and/or businesses; scaled to a city, and replicable in other cities around the world
  • Innovative: disruptive and ‘new to the world’ ideas; ideas that are new to your city or region
• Are from Asia, Europe & the Americas: Especially welcome are startups wanting to make an impact in the region they will pitch in. Startups need to commit to travel to the event if they are selected.
• Will increase safety, sustainability, and accessibility for all road users in smart cities. Specifically, startups who can bring benefits in the following areas:
  • Innovations around new cars
  • Innovative safety applications, including products and services around mobility (infrastructure; bicycles; lighting)
  • New services around multi-modal mobility
  • Society-focused services (e.g. health care; administration) connected to mobility needs
  • Applications and products that encourage user involvement on sustainable mobility issues
  • Ideas in adjacent areas will also be accepted

“Mobility plays a crucial role in our society: whether it’s business, everyday activities or bringing communities together, it all depends on movement. Plus if you add in CO2 emissions you can see it impacts our quality of life. That is why innovation in this sector is so important, and we are happy that together with our partner, the FIA Smart Cities initiative, we have developed a startup program that will identify the most innovative mobility and transport technologies out there,” said Matt Lashmar, Managing Director of MassChallenge Switzerland.

To apply for the FIA Smart Cities Global Startup Contest please click here!

 

_________

Sharing is caring!