During a press conference in Strasbourg on Wednesday 7 February, Karima Delli, the Chairperson of the European Parliament's transport committee, and Violeta Bulc, the European Commissioner for Transport, announced the names of the 10 European companies that have been shortlisted for the European Startup Prize for Mobility.
This prize was launched by Karima Delli on 7 December last and aims to reward start-ups active in the innovative and clean transport field. It is sponsored by the CEO of the Blablacar car share company, Frédéric Mazzella, and by Ms Bulc.
The objective is to create a “European Silicon Valley" as asserted by Ms Delli, who also affirmed that today there are "28 Silicon Valleys” active in the European Union.
After having launched a call for candidacies, almost 500 start-ups submitted their dossiers. Among them, 10 companies based in the EU were selected for the final, which will award prizes to four start-ups. The selection committee will examine the economic viability of the companies, their innovative approach and sustainability and environmental and social indicators.
Representatives from these 10 companies will be invited over the next few months to several technological exhibitions in Europe, where they will meet investors and potential partners and clients.
During the final on 22 February in Brussels, the four winning companies will receive logistical and legal support from Boston Consulting Group, Parallel Avocats and the Grimaldi Studio. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau and Camille-Cerise Gessant).