Inclusive Mobility – Better Mobility Accelerator

History and Founding Story

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, established the Inclusive Mobility – Better Mobility Accelerator to address the critical need for more inclusive and accessible urban mobility solutions. Recognizing that a significant portion of the population faces barriers to transportation, the program was designed to foster innovation that specifically targets underserved and vulnerable communities. It leverages EIT Urban Mobility's extensive network and expertise in urban development and innovation to create a robust support system for startups dedicated to this mission.

Mission and Values

The core mission of the Inclusive Mobility – Better Mobility Accelerator is to catalyze innovation and collaboration along sustainable and inclusive mobility. The program is driven by the value of inclusivity, aiming to improve physical and geographical accessibility for a wide range of target groups. It champions a holistic approach to mobility, ensuring that solutions developed not only address specific accessibility challenges but also contribute to broader sustainable urban development goals. The accelerator believes that inclusivity can be a competitive advantage, driving both social impact and business growth.

Program Structure and Timeline

The Better Mobility Accelerator is a six-month online program designed to help startups achieve product-market fit and enter international markets faster. It offers a structured curriculum that includes one-on-one business coaching, mentoring, and workshops. Participants also benefit from matchmaking opportunities with partners and potential customers, facilitating real-world testing of their solutions. The program emphasizes practical application and validation, providing direct access to "living labs" – cities and businesses where startups can test their innovations. The online format allows for flexibility while maintaining a rigorous schedule of engagement and development.

Mentorship and Network

A key strength of the accelerator is its access to a robust network of corporations and investors, as well as mobility, innovation, and inclusivity experts across Europe. Startups receive tailored business coaching and mentoring from these specialists, ensuring they gain insights relevant to their specific challenges and opportunities. The program facilitates introductions to test and demonstration labs across Europe, further expanding the network available to participants. This extensive network is crucial for validating ideas, securing pilot projects, and ultimately scaling solutions internationally.

Investment Terms

The program offers access to EIT Urban Mobility investment initiatives and funding instruments, though specific financial investment amounts or equity terms are not explicitly detailed. However, it does provide financial support for travel expenses, indicating a commitment to facilitating in-person engagements and testing opportunities when necessary.

What Makes It Unique

What sets the Inclusive Mobility – Better Mobility Accelerator apart is its laser focus on inclusivity within the mobility sector. While many accelerators address urban mobility, this program specifically targets solutions that improve accessibility for currently without access, underserved, or vulnerable communities. The direct access to "living labs" – cities and businesses for testing solutions – is a significant differentiator, offering invaluable real-world validation. Furthermore, the emphasis on making inclusivity a competitive advantage positions participating startups for both social impact and sustainable business growth.

Notable Outcomes

The program has garnered positive testimonials from its participants, highlighting its effectiveness. Sherry Fei Ju, Founder and CEO of Artificient Mobility Intelligence, noted the program's success in facilitating pilot projects with partners. Solomia Boretska, Founder and CEO of LendoCare, praised the network and support for growth. Hannes Etzelstorfer, Co-founder of cyclebee, valued the opportunity to validate ideas with international partners and customers. These testimonials underscore the program's ability to connect startups with crucial resources and opportunities for validation and scaling.

What Participants Can Expect Day-to-Day

Participants can expect a dynamic and engaging six-month online program. Day-to-day activities will likely involve virtual workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions with experts, and mentoring calls. Startups will be actively working on refining their solutions, preparing for pilot projects, and engaging in matchmaking opportunities. They will be encouraged to leverage the provided network to validate their ideas and explore potential collaborations. The program's structure is designed to be highly interactive, pushing startups to continuously develop and test their inclusive mobility solutions.