EIT Urban Mobility, 8200 Impact and CityZone Join Forces to Build Synergies in Israel for the Global Mobility Startup Ecosystem
TEL AVIV, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, announced today that it is joining forces with 8200 Impact and its partner CityZone to act as its ecosystem agent in Israel for 2023. This collaboration aims to build bridges between the European and the Israeli mobility ecosystems, to support startups from both sides, and strives to unlock the untapped potential of the mobility sector.
Following the announcement of its collaboration with the Paris Ecosystem, in August this year, EIT Urban Mobility, is reaching out to collaborate with Israel’s vibrant startup ecosystem for strategic interventions, knowledge sharing and investment portfolio support. Israel boasts the highest startup density per capita in the world and the highest gross domestic spending on R&D in the OECD. In 2021, it raised a record of USD 26.5 billion in venture capital funding. Alongside fields like cybersecurity, fintech, IT & data infrastructures, Israel’s smart mobility ecosystem is gaining serious momentum in recent years, and includes today over 600 startups, and is home to renowned companies such as Waze, Mobileye and Moovit, and many more.
Amongst other activities, 8200 Impact and CityZone will hold workshops on impact investments for investors and startups, networking events and an exclusive two-month acceleration program for the most promising European and Israeli startups focusing on ‘Inclusive Mobility’. On top of that, EIT Urban Mobility will conduct strategic investments in two early-stage Israeli startups recommended by 8200 Impact and CityZone. The promising companies will have access to capital of up to 500.000 euros, as well as piloting opportunities in leading European cities and fast-track introductions to the largest pan-European mobility network.
Fredrik Hånell, Impact venture director at EIT Urban Mobility: “A diverse, well-functioning and dynamic ecosystem is crucial for start-up growth: for better access to diverse and bigger markets, industry leaders, support organizations, talent, knowledge, and capital. In EIT Urban Mobility we welcome this new collaboration with 8200 Impact and CityZone, to provide services both to mobility start-ups in Israel’s vibrant ecosystem, and to our European equity portfolio start-ups interested in Israel’s market and knowledge.”
Since its creation, EIT Urban Mobility has already invested 4 million euros in 45 mobility startups from 16 European and associated Horizon2020 countries, including Israel. Thanks to the intervention and expertise of the 8200 Impact and CityZone, EIT Urban Mobility will be able to better target the ventures that have innovative solutions with high impact potential on tomorrow’s mobility.
Contacts
Keren Beit Cohen ‐ E: [email protected]
