A new competition for smart city and mobility startups

In 2017, the Federation created the FIA Smart Cities initiative to contribute to the implementation of the UN New Urban Agenda by helping cities define new models for more sustainable urban mobility. The FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest, powered by MassChallenge, is a pillar of this initiative. The aim of this multi-location competition is to identify and support the most promising start-ups addressing the challenges of mobility for the world of tomorrow.

Selected start-ups will be showcasing their products or services in front of the largest gatherings of players in mobility and urbanisation: the FIA Smart Cities Forums organised around Formula E races. This urban-focused fully electric championship is hosted in city centres around the world, promotes interest in sustainable motoring and showcases the use of innovative clean technologies.

 

Thierry Duvanel, Managing Director MassChallenge Switzerland, comments: "Mobility will play an increasing role in our society: by 2050, 80% of the 10 billion people on earth will live in urban areas. Tackling this challenge will be possible by rethinking vehicles, rethinking mobility services and infrastructures - all of this is a sustainable way. With over 110 years serving the motorists of all countries around the world, and at the helm of its mobility initiative, the FIA is the perfect actor to seize this challenge. No one else than the FIA and its partners understand this endeavor better. There is a huge innovation potential in the global startup ecosystem to address this pressing issue, and we are happy to announce that together with FIA, we have developed a startup program that will bring forth and accelerate the most innovative mobility and urbanization technologies out there." 

Benefits for the start-ups:

• Access to an acceleration programme led by MassChallenge Switzerland, with a unique opportunity to access a network of relevant corporate partners of the FIA and MassChallenge networks;  
• Visibility at global events with key decision-makers addressing urban mobility challenges where the FIA is involved;
• Opportunities to establish lasting relationships with the FIA Member Clubs in 145 countries as well a community of the mobility services’ users;
• Mentoring by FIA Smart Cities partners including blue chip companies such as ABB, Michelin, ENEL, Julius Bär and JCDecaux;
• Evaluation of business cooperation with FIA Smart Cities partners.

Contest Format
The top 18 start-ups will be invited to pitch a panel of expert judges at three FIA Smart Cities Forums, at the occasion of E-Prix (6 start-ups per event) in Mexico, Hong Kong or Rome. Each international jury will elect 2 winners, who will showcase their products and solutions at the FIA Smart Cities Forum.

The FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest, powered by MassChallenge, accepts applications from technology start-ups: from anywhere in the world (the start-ups need to commit to travel to either Mexico, Hong Kong or Rome if they are selected). Start-ups must have generated less than $10M in revenue in the last 12 months.

More information and application on the website of MassChallenge Switzerland.

(Press release / SK)

Picture: Thierry Duvanel announcing the partnership with MassChallenge and the launch of the smart-city/mobility startup contest at the FIA Annual General Assembly in Sankt Petersburg.