Barcelona, Spain – June 2026 — Today, Techstars, a global startup accelerator and investor, and EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, an impact investor in mobility, announced a strategic three-year partnership to launch the Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst programme.

The partnership brings together two organisations with a shared belief in the future of sustainable urban mobility and the entrepreneurs behind it. By combining Techstars’ globally proven founder development model with EIT Urban Mobility’s European mobility ecosystem and investment platform, the organisations are coming together to create a new pathway for founders that does not exist anywhere else in Europe today.

Techstars has spent nearly two decades helping founders build and scale venture-backed companies, supporting more than 5,000 startups that have collectively raised over $32 billion in funding. EIT Urban Mobility has built Europe’s largest urban mobility innovation ecosystem, connecting startups with cities, corporates, investors, researchers, and public-sector leaders, enabling startups to pilot and scale their solutions in a real-life environment.

For early-stage mobility startups, access to capital, expertise, and community often determines whether an idea becomes a company. Through this partnership, founders will gain access to all three, creating a founder experience that extends far beyond traditional programming:

• A world-class founder development experience powered by Techstars’ globally recognised mentorship-driven model.

• Access to Europe’s largest urban mobility innovation ecosystem, connecting founders with potential customers, partners, investors, and pilot opportunities.

• A direct pathway to investment, providing founders with both immediate support and the opportunity to unlock additional capital as they progress.

Participating startups will receive an initial €10,000 cash investment through EIT Urban Mobility. Startups that achieve agreed milestones following the programme may become eligible for an additional €50,000 investment, creating a unique bridge between founder development and venture growth.

“Selecting Techstars as our partner was a clear choice. With nearly two decades of experience, their proven, mentorship-driven model gives us full confidence that participating startups will receive the tailored support they need to grow. Combined with EIT Urban Mobility's deep sectoral expertise and access to the European mobility ecosystem, we are offering early-stage innovators a truly unique platform to scale their ideas into market-ready solutions. ”

— Denise Xifara, Director of Impact Ventures, EIT Urban Mobility

“Great founders need more than capital. They need access to customers, mentors, partners, and a community that believes in their vision. By bringing together the strengths of Techstars and EIT Urban Mobility, we’re creating a platform that gives mobility entrepreneurs the support, network, and opportunities they need to build category-defining companies.”

— Katie Smith, Head of Startup Community, Techstars

Applications for the inaugural cohort are open, with the first cohort beginning in September 2026.

For full programme details, eligibility criteria, and application information, please visit the programme page.

About Techstars

Techstars helps founders succeed. Through our global accelerators, we invest in early-stage startups led by founders building a better future for everyone. We leverage our vast network of alumni, mentors, partners, and investors to support entrepreneurs and build thriving startup communities. Since 2006, we have invested in industry-defining companies, including Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, Alloy, and many, many more.

About EIT Urban Mobility

EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, works to accelerate the transition towards sustainable urban mobility and more liveable cities. As Europe’s leading urban mobility innovation community and one of the continent’s most active mobility investors, EIT Urban Mobility connects startups, cities, corporates, researchers, and public-sector organizations to drive innovation and create lasting impact across Europe.

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