[December 21, 2018] Lausanne, Switzerland – MassChallenge Switzerland, part of MassChallenge’s global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, announced that it will partner with the FIA Smart Cities Initiative to support the Global Start-Up Contest, to identify and support the most innovative and impactful startup technology companies that have the power to revolutionize urban mobility. The application for the Global Start-Up Contest is now live, and the deadline to apply is January 15, 2019.

“Urban mobility is changing faster than ever. Solving today’s pressing mobility concerns requires innovative and disruptive ideas from all sectors concerned. The FIA believes that startups can deliver efficient solutions to these challenges while creating new business opportunities. Working together with MassChallenge will strengthen the FIA Smart Cities Start Up pillar and help raise awareness around innovative technologies for more sustainable means of transport,” said Andrew McKellar, Secretary General for Mobility and Tourism, FIA.

“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 – and in a sustainable way,” said Thierry Duvanel, Managing Director of MassChallenge Switzerland.

The Global Start-Up Contest is a pillar of the FIA Smart Cities Initiative. Together with MassChallenge, the FIA will build and implement a dedicated “vertical” around the Smart Cities ecosystem which will include leading industry players, institutional leaders and innovators. On the occasion of each FIA Smart Cities Forum in 2019, a Global Start-Up contest will be led and empowered by MassChallenge. Winning start-ups will have the opportunity to share their projects with a high-level audience, gaining prime visibility and establish lasting relationships with the FIA Member Clubs, key decision-makers, institutional stakeholders, as well as with a community of the mobility services’ users. More than this, they will take part in an acceleration programe led by MassChallenge Switzerland, with a unique opportunity to access a network of relevant corporate partners of the FIA and MassChallenge networks.

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.”

About the FIA

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world’s leading mobility organisations. Founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris and Geneva, the FIA is a non-profit organisation. It brings together 246 Member Organisations from 145 countries on five continents. Its Member Clubs represent over 80 million road users and their families. The FIA promotes safe, sustainable and accessible mobility for all road users around the world.
Further details can be found at www.fia.com

About MassChallenge

MassChallenge is a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators. Headquartered in the United States with locations in Boston, Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK, MassChallenge is committed to strengthening the global innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 1,500 MassChallenge alumni have raised more than $3 billion in funding, generated more than $2 billion in revenue, and created more than 80,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.

MassChallenge Switzerland Founding Partners

Barry Callebaut, Bühler, GEA, Givaudan, Inartis Foundation, Nestlé, Swiss Economic Forum