Jamnet Team

Overview

Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst Programme – a ten-week hybrid pre-accelerator designed for pre-seed and early-stage mobility startups in Europe. The program combines mentorship, virtual modules, and in-person workshops, with capital investments to fast track product-market fit in the European transit sector.

Focus Areas and Verticals

Proposals should present scalable solutions addressing mobility problems in the following tracks:

• Energy and Decarbonisation: renewable integration, fleet electrification, grid balancing, sustainable fuels.
• Urban Logistics: last-mile delivery, micro-mobility freight, autonomous distribution, warehouse localization.
• Space Technology: satellite data, geographical tracking, aerospace communications for transit systems.
• Data and Artificial Intelligence: predictive algorithms, route optimization, real-time traffic management.
• Health and Mobility: active transit networks, accessible spaces for disabled commuters.

Program Benefits

• Capital Injection: initial investment and potential follow-on funding upon milestones.
• Network Access: global Techstars network, EIT Urban Mobility partners, and European corporate operators.
• Masterclass Curriculum: live technical workshops on product validation, legal incorporation, and financial forecasting.
• Growth Resources: access to municipal pilots, co-investment platforms, and venture capital mentorship.
• Collaborative Peer Groups: learning with an international cohort of founders solving related urban transit problems.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Incorporation: legally incorporated as a for-profit entity in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country.
• Venture Stage: pre-seed or early-stage founders with initial customer validation or strong technical insights.
• Geographic Scope: teams based in the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries, including Regional Innovation Scheme territories.
• Operational Commitment: active participation in virtual workshops and in-person networking summits.
• Vertical Alignment: business model must address a clear, scalable urban mobility, logistics, or clean energy problem.
• Diversity and Inclusion: commitment to inclusive hiring; applications from women founders and co-founders are welcomed.

Required Documents

• Online Candidate Profile: company structure, target audience, and market size.
• Technical Pitch Deck: problem, technology solution, traction to date, and business plan.
• Executive Summary: description of the business model and scalability of the technology.
• Incorporation Proof: official registration documents confirming legal status in an eligible European country.

Application GuidePhase 1: Eligibility and Incorporation Verification

1. Review the official Call Manual and Guide for Applicants to verify alignment with target criteria.
2. Confirm legal incorporation within an eligible EU Member State or Horizon Europe-associated country.
3. Verify that the core business operates within the approved urban mobility, energy, or logistics verticals.
4. Audit team structure to ensure co-founders are available for the ten-week program schedule.

Phase 2: Customer Discovery and Data

1. Gather existing customer validation data, pilot feedback, and revenue metrics to show early market traction.
2. Structure market analysis to define target customer segments and projected growth.
3. Conduct a competitive review to show how your technology improves upon existing mobility solutions.
4. Formulate a milestone plan for potential fifty-thousand-Euro follow-on funding.

Phase 3: Online Registration

1. Navigate to the official EIT Urban Mobility application.
2. Create a secure startup profile using a professional corporate email address.
3. Select the Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst page to begin the submission.
4. Invite key co-founders to complete relevant background fields.

Phase 4: Pitch Deck and Documentation

1. Refine the pitch deck to emphasize product scale, unit economics, and customer validation.
2. Convert pitch deck, incorporation proof, and founder profiles into high-resolution PDF files.
3. Ensure uploaded documents are clearly named and free of password restrictions.
4. Complete program budget forms detailing the use of the initial ten thousand Euros.

Phase 5: Submission and Interview Coordination

1. Review the completed application to correct any administrative or formatting issues.
2. Submit the application before the deadline on Wednesday August 26, 2026.
3. Monitor inbox for invitations to selection panels or matchmaking events.
4. Prepare presentation materials for the technical review committee ahead of the September startup date.

Timeline

• June 30 – August 26, 2026: Open call and online submissions.
• Aug 27 – Sept 15, 2026: Evaluation phase.
• Sept 27, 2026: Program start date.
• Dec 3, 2026: Demo Day and end of the cohort.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect country registration outside approved EU/Horizon Europe lists.
• Lack of problem clarity or defined urban mobility customer problem.
• Submitting as a late-stage company; program targets pre-seed and early-stage ventures.
• Unclear milestone targets for follow-on funding.
• Missing portal deadlines; ensure submission before August 26, 2026.

Deadline

Deadline: August 26, 2026.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

FAQ – Founder Catalyst

• Eligibility: open to pre-seed and early-stage mobility startups incorporated in EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries.
• Funding: initial ten thousand Euros investment with potential for fifty thousand Euros upon milestones.
• Duration/Format: ten-week hybrid program with in-person and virtual masterclasses.
• Final deadline: online portal closes on August 26, 2026.
• Non-EU startups: must be incorporated in EU or Horizon Europe-associated countries.
• Verticals: energy, decarbonisation, urban logistics, space tech, data, and AI-driven mobility.
• Revenue: not required but must show customer validation or early traction.
• Fees: no application or participation fees.
• Post-program: Demo Day and milestones lead to further investment opportunities.
• Application submission: via the official registration portal of EIT Urban Mobility.