A call for applications is currently open to strengthen Europe's innovation capacity and address significant urban mobility challenges. This initiative aims to fund early-stage ventures, including pre-seed, seed, and Series A companies, to stimulate growth and enhance the impact of EIT-funded research. It seeks to foster collaboration across industry, academia, cities, and startups, supporting the development of high-impact solutions that reduce congestion, lower carbon emissions, and improve safety, security, and accessibility. The program is designed to provide de-risked, high-quality investment opportunities aligned with the EIT Urban Mobility Financial Support thesis.
Financial Support and Investment Strategy
• Financial Support: EIT Urban Mobility will provide up to €2.5 million per company for startups developing breakthrough mobility solutions.
• Investment Role: The initiative aims to participate in ongoing funding rounds alongside venture capital or other private investors, fostering co-investment opportunities. EIT Urban Mobility will not typically lead a funding round or act as the lead investor, except in exceptional circumstances.
• Target Companies: The call is open to startups that are already engaged in an active funding round.
Focus Areas and Diversity
• Urban logistics
• Shared mobility and public transport
• Mobility data management
• Electrification of transport and alternative fuels
• Health and mobility
• Future Scope: The call may include specific topic scopes in the future to address key market opportunities or failures.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Proposals from diverse teams with clear strategies for inclusive innovation will be positively assessed during evaluation.
Eligibility Criteria
• Geographic Location: Applicants must be legal entities established in the Member States of the European Union and/or in Third countries associated with Horizon Europe.
• Fundraising Status: Must be a startup currently engaged in an active fundraising round (pre-seed/seed or Series A).
• Market Focus: Proposed innovations must target the Urban Mobility market.
• Application Frequency: Applicants may not apply to three consecutive cut-offs. After two consecutive submissions, at least one cut-off must be skipped.
• Portfolio Status: Applicants must not currently be part of the EIT Urban Mobility equity portfolio.
• Company Valuation: The company's pre-money valuation must not exceed €50,000,000.
• Founder Equity: Individual founders or the executive team must jointly hold more than 40% of the company’s equity before the current fundraising round.
• Product Stage: Applicants must have a prototype, pilot, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Application Deadlines
Funding is provided through an open application process with multiple cut-off dates throughout 2026. Additional dates for 2027 and 2028 are available in the call manual.
• 1st cut-off date: 23 February 2026
• 2nd cut-off date: 18 May 2026
• 3rd cut-off date: 31 August 2026
• 4th cut-off date: 16 November 2026
Application and Evaluation Process
• Step 1: Register on the EU Funding & Tender Portal to obtain a valid PIC number.
• Step 2: Register on the EIT Urban Mobility NetSuite Platform by submitting the Partner Information Form (PIF).
• Step 3: Log in to the EIT Urban Mobility NetSuite platform with your new credentials.
• Step 4: Locate the call for the currently open cut-off date under the 'Call for Proposals –> Open Calls' menu.
• Step 5: Submit the application form by the specified deadline.
• Post-Submission: Following the cut-off, EIT Urban Mobility will check proposals for eligibility and admissibility, followed by an evaluation of the content with the support of independent expert evaluators.
Resources and Contact Information
• Informational Webinars: An online information session will be hosted before each cut-off date. The recording from the session on 23 January 2026 is available online.
• Key Documents: Applicants should consult the Call manual, EIT Urban Mobility Strategic Agenda 2021-2027, application form guidance, appeal procedure, eligibility of expenditure, implementation handbook, and the Horizon Europe Model Agreement.
• Further Information: Additional details on startup funding can be found on the EIT Urban Mobility website, and insights into the portfolio are available in the 2025 Investment Portfolio Impact report.
• Support Contact: For any questions regarding general/technical procedures or call content, applicants may contact the Impact Ventures team at impact.ventures@eiturbanmobility.eu.
This initiative presents a significant opportunity for early-stage companies to secure substantial funding and co-investment, accelerating the development and deployment of innovative solutions for sustainable urban mobility. Interested parties are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines thoroughly to prepare their submissions for the upcoming deadlines.