What distinguishes the European Startup Prize for Mobility from traditional competitions is its direct connection to European institutions and political decision-makers. The program not only brings startups together with investors and corporates, but also with actors such as the European Commission, Parliament, and the European Investment Bank. Thus, it serves as a lever for regulatory access and market entry in multiple countries.
2026 application: deadlines, target group, and selection process
The current application phase runs until June 13, 2026. Eligible startups are from the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries – from pre-seed to Series C.
The selection process takes place in multiple stages:
- Top 30: access to demo day with EU institutions and investors
- Top 10: participation in the accelerator program (including TUM Venture Labs)
- Top 4: additional strategic consulting and visibility
Evaluation is based on nine criteria, including degree of innovation, market potential, team, climate impact, and European scalability.
The top 30 will be announced in July, and the awards ceremony for the top 10 startups (including live pitches) will take place on October 14 in Luxembourg. The winners of the seventh edition will then benefit from a comprehensive accelerator program starting November 2026, specifically focused on growth and scaling. This includes structured mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, practical workshops on topics such as business development, fundraising, internationalization, regulatory frameworks, and impact measurement, as well as access to the innovation and research ecosystem of TUM Venture Labs.
The program is supplemented by Europe-wide visibility and networking opportunities within the mobility and innovation scene. Through direct exchange with leading researchers, industry leaders, and capital providers, startups are supported along the entire development chain – from early validation to building scalable, impact-oriented mobility companies.
Focus on sustainable and digital mobility
In terms of content, the award specifically targets startups working on the transformation of the transport sector. This includes decarbonization of transport solutions, digitalization of infrastructure and logistics, new forms of mobility (e.g., rail, maritime, urban mobility), as well as technologies such as AI, IoT, or alternative drives. Additionally, several special awards are given, for example for female founders, academic spin-offs, or particularly high CO2 savings.
The European Startup Prize for Mobility is more than a competition
The added value lies above all in the network: startups gain visibility among over 50 European VCs and corporates, as well as access to pilot projects, funding, and international partnerships.
Even beyond the finalists, applicants benefit, because profiles are shared with partners during the selection process itself, which can initiate potential collaborations and investments.
Significance for Munich and German mobility startups
For Munich startups in the areas of mobility, deeptech, or climate tech, the EUSP is particularly relevant. With TUM Venture Labs as a central player in the local ecosystem, it is directly integrated into the accelerator program. This means the competition functions not only as a European stage, but also as a bridge between regional innovation hubs and EU-wide scaling.
