Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst

About the Programme

By pairing Techstars' proven, mentorship-driven founder development model with EIT Urban Mobility, Europe’s largest innovation community for urban mobility, the partnership creates a founder pathway unlike any other in Europe. Through workshops, mentorship, and access to operators, investors, peers, cities, and pilot opportunities, founders gain the support and resources to accelerate their growth. Participating startups receive an initial €10,000 investment, with the chance to unlock an additional €50,000 by hitting agreed milestones. For full programme details and terms, visit the Call Manual.

FAQs

What are the key dates for the programme?

• Applications Open: June 29, 2026

• Applications Close: August 26, 2026

• Programme Start Date: September 28, 2026

• Programme End Date: December 2026

• Demo Day Date: December 3, 2026

What is the Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst?

The Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst is a 10-week hybrid pre-accelerator designed to support early-stage founders building scalable companies in the urban mobility sector. Through a mix of in-person and virtual programming, founders gain access to hands-on workshops, mentorship, pitch coaching, and a supportive founder community designed to accelerate their next stage of growth.

What are the key application and selection dates?

Applications will close on August 26, 2026. Interviews will take place on September 2 and 3, 2026, and we aim to complete the selection process by September 9, 2026.

Why should founders participate in this programme?

Founders will gain access to programming and support designed to help strengthen their businesses and prepare for future growth opportunities. This includes:

• A direct pathway to EIT Urban Mobility investment for startups that reach post-programme milestones

• Access to the Techstars global network and the EIT Urban Mobility ecosystem

• Live masterclasses and mentorship from experienced operators, investors and workshops

• Pitch coaching and storytelling support

• Peer learning and founder community

• Opportunities to connect with ecosystem leaders, mobility investors, and potential future partners

The programme is designed to help founders deepen customer understanding, refine their business models, improve go-to-market strategy, and build momentum.

Who is eligible for this programme?

We are looking for:

• Early-stage (pre-seed) founders building scalable companies in the urban mobility sector

• For-profit startups across a wide range of mobility verticals, including electrification and alternative fuels, AI-powered and connected mobility, urban logistics and last-mile solutions, shared and autonomous transport, and health and mobility technologies. 

• Companies with early traction, customer validation, or strong founder insight

• Founders who are committed to actively participating throughout the programme

• The startup must be legally incorporated in an EU Member State or a third country associated with Horizon Europe, as per the official list published by the European Commission

• Founding teams from across Europe, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from women founders and co-founders.

Companies that have previously participated in a Techstars Founder Catalyst programme, Techstars Accelerator and EIT Urban Mobility Accelerators are generally not eligible.

Is the programme industry-specific?

Yes. The programme is focused on the urban mobility sector. Mobility is a wide spectrum — eligible verticals include, but are not limited to, electrification and alternative fuels, AI-powered and connected mobility, urban logistics and last-mile solutions, shared and autonomous transport, and health and mobility technologies.

At what stage should a company be to apply?

Companies should be early-stage (pre-seed) and actively building and validating their businesses. Founders do not need to have raised funding, but should demonstrate strong potential, commitment, and some level of traction, customer discovery, or market validation in their application.

What types of sessions are included during the programme?

Throughout the programme, founders will participate in:

• Weekly masterclasses

• Pitch coaching and feedback sessions

• Mentor office hours and 1:1 meetings (over 50% of sessions are 1:1 format)

• Peer group sessions

• Networking opportunities

• Founder community events

Topics may include customer discovery, product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, storytelling, business model validation, financial modelling, and founder development.

Where will the programme be based?

Founders are expected to attend two in-person gatherings: Founder Retreat at Norrsken House Barcelona and the Tomorrow.Mobility conference from November 2–5, 2026.

Founder Retreat from December 1-2, 2026 & the Demo Day Showcase on December 3, 2026.

These in-person experiences are designed to foster meaningful connections with fellow founders, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners while providing access to Tomorrow.Mobility.

How many startups will be selected?

Up to 15 founders or startup teams are expected to be selected for Cohort 1 (2026). The programme will support 45 startups in total across three cohorts over three years.

Can co-founders participate in the programme?

Yes. While the programme is primarily designed for lead founders/CEOs, co-founders may participate in select sessions and programme activities.

When do sessions take place? Is there an attendance requirement?

Programming will generally take place on weekdays throughout the 10-week programme. Founders are expected to actively participate in masterclasses, mentorship sessions, pitch coaching, and key community events. Because the programme is highly collaborative, consistent participation is strongly encouraged.

How will startups be selected?

Applications will be evaluated based on several factors, including:

• Founding team strength and founder potential

• Market opportunity and innovativeness within the urban mobility sector

• Customer insight, traction and market validation

• Scalability of the business, financial projections and funding needs

• Clarity of vision and execution

• Quality and readiness of the applicant

• Strategic fit for the programme

Selections are made by a committee that includes external evaluators, Techstars representatives, and EIT Urban Mobility representatives using evaluation criteria. We also consider how much impact the programme could have on the company’s growth trajectory.

You can view the exact procedure, phases and scoring in Section 6 of the Call Manual.

Do founders need to be based in Europe?

The programme is focused on supporting Europe’s urban mobility startup ecosystem. Preference will be given to founders based in Europe or building meaningful connections to the European mobility market.

The startup must be legally incorporated in an EU Member State or a third country associated with Horizon Europe, as per the official list published by the European Commission.

Who is running the programme?

The programme is led by the Techstars team in collaboration with EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. It is delivered with support from mentors, investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders from across Europe’s mobility sector and the broader Techstars network.

Does the programme cost anything? Is there any equity exchange?

There are no upfront costs for startups to participate. Upon acceptance, startups sign a SAFE agreement with EIT Urban Mobility for €50,000, consisting of a €10,000 cash grant and €40,000 representing the value of the programme services provided. This SAFE converts under standard conditions.

As part of the programme, the founding team — together with EIT Urban Mobility and Techstars — defines post-programme milestones. Startups that hit those milestones in the 6 months following the programme receive an additional €50,000 investment from EIT Urban Mobility. This is not guaranteed — it is strictly contingent on meeting the agreed milestones.

What is the time commitment?

Founders should expect to commit approximately 10 hours per week throughout the programme (including masterclasses, mentor meetings, peer sessions, and independent work).

Please note that during the in-person components in Barcelona (November 2–5 and December 1–3), the time commitment will be full-time.

How can founders apply or learn more?

Applications for the Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst are now open.

To learn more about the programme, the application process, and whether it’s the right fit for your startup, join our live Applicant Information Session & Q&A on July 15. You’ll hear directly from the programme team and have the opportunity to ask questions.

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