IMPACT Connected Car closes a successful call for startups: 214 applications from 39 countries

Submitted by David Seoane on 10 November 2018

625 led the numbers of startups and SMEs opening applications to this call in which beneficiaries get up to €60K equity-free

IMPACT Connected Car wraps up its second and final call with the participation of over 214 startups and SMEs coming from 39 countries, amongst which SpainFranceIsraelUKGermany and Poland are the most represented. The programme, funded within the framework of INNOSUP, part of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 (Grant Agreement no 731343), aims to respond to societal and industrial needs in the landscape of the connected car.

The European Commission has opted to fund this venture due to the increased importance of new mobility solutions. As autonomous vehicles and connected cars move from science fiction to reality, Europe is placing priority on finding ways to tackle the arising opportunities and challenges posed by these technologies.

IMPACT Connected Car supports, connects and funds companies with innovative projects in the fields of wireless chargerscybersecuritymeasures against hackers, smart mobility and zero emission transportation. Not only are these developments important for the continued safety and welfare of citizens and infrastructure, but also this market is expected to represent a €141 billion business opportunity by 2020.

The acceleration process

The selected startups will enter a three-stage smartization programme and will receive up to €60,000 in equity-free funding. Top performing startups will have the opportunity to obtain additional private funds of up to €200,000 from participating venture capital funds.

As in other IMPACT Accelerator programmes, the entrepreneurs will have access to an international network of more than a hundred recognised mentors from the ecosystem of digital business school ISDI, such as Sergio DíezMobility Services Business Development at Renault or Alfredo RivelaCEO of Turning Tables, as well as founders and investors who are experts in different key areas of knowledge, both in the digital sector and in the automotive industry.

The selected companies will have the opportunity to be showcased at 4YFN2019 by Mobile World Capital Barcelona.

The project

With a fund of €2.1 millionIMPACT Connected Car will help boost SMEs and startups dedicated to innovating and developing smart mobility solutions. The programme provides a direct link between entrepreneurs and large corporations, as well as addressing the fragmentation in the automobile industry, which until now has hindered its digital transformation.

IMPACT Connected Car capitalises on the potential of five of the leading automobile clusters in Europe that facilitate the validation and the introduction to the market of disruptive innovations in smart driving and urban mobility.

To further inspire companies in the industry to drive forward such innovative projects, IMPACT Connected Car partners with four pioneering connected car companies that are already making an impact on the emerging value chains in their respective sectors, including:

  • Botcar (Spain) allows for traditional cars to be adapted and converted into connected cars.
  • HEVO (The Netherlands) has developed an innovative wireless charging experience for electric vehicles.
  • Little Electric Cars (Spain) is the first Spanish SME manufacturer of all-electric cars.
  • Argus Cyber Security (Israel): Provides a solution suite to protect connected cars and commercial vehicles against cyber-attacks.

The consortium

In addition to the above-mentioned companies, IMPACT Connected Car is supported by the collaboration of 13 partners from across Europe: FundingBoxCTAGINSEROMov’eoAutoklastrLPNTMobile World Capital BarcelonaISDIPARPFerrovial ServiciosGroupe PSAFederation Internationale de l’Automobile and FIWARE Foundation.

Learn more about IMPACT Connected Car and join ICCar Community to be updated about the programme and the connected car ecosystem in Europe.

<IMPACT> Connected Car Team

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