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Urban Mobility Disruptor
From Research to Real-World Impact in Urban Mobility
Overview
ACADEMICS, RESEARCHERS & SCIENCE-BASED INNOVATORS! START YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY TODAY
Urban Mobility Disruptor is a unique Europe-wide program designed to help researchers, academics, and early-stage innovators turn breakthrough ideas into entrepreneurial success. It supports those developing solutions to shape smarter, cleaner, and more connected cities. Whether you are advancing new technologies or pioneering mobility concepts, the program equips you with the mindset, skills, and network to move from the lab to the marketplace and contribute to the shift toward sustainable urban mobility.
Funded by EIT Urban Mobility, the program is free for all selected participants. It places a strong focus on supporting researchers from EIT RIS countries and guides them through a structured, three-stage journey — from developing an entrepreneurial mindset to validating market fit and engaging with industry stakeholders.
Applications Deadline
September 16, 2025
Duration
3 Months
Langage
English
Price
Free
Location
-Roadshow: In-person and online
-Bootcamp: September 2025 | Online
-Market discovery journey: October – November 2025 | Online
-Final Event: November – December 2025 | In-Person in Lisbon, Portugal
For More information
urban.mobility@bgi.pt
Who Should Apply?
• Researchers and tech transfer professionals
• PhD candidates, postdocs, and professors
• Academic teams with innovations in urban mobility, engineering, sustainability, or smart cities
• Priority given to applicants from EIT RIS countries.
• No startup is required — just your research and ambition.
Want to learn more?
Attend a roadshow
The Roadshow offers a sneak peek into the entrepreneurial mindset, giving you the chance to explore how innovation can help amplify the impact of your research. It’s designed to equip you with the key concepts and motivation to start your innovation journey and find how the impact of your work can go beyond the lab.
You’ll also discover how the Urban Mobility Disruptor Program can help take you further — providing tools, mentors, and pathways to turn your ideas into action and scale your innovation.
Attend one of our Roadshow events — online or in person — between April and July 2025. Each session lasts approximately three hours and offers an engaging introduction to the UMDisruptor journey.
• Meet researchers who’ve made the leap into entrepreneurship
• Learn how the program works and what you can gain
• Explore how your research could lead to real-world impact
A validated business case for your research
Practical entrepreneurial skills
Connections with EIT Urban Mobility funding programs and pilot partners
Exposure to the European innovation ecosystem
Certification of participation (for Bootcamp & Market Discovery Journey)
For the top 15 teams: a chance to pitch at the Final Demo Day in Lisbon, Portugal
Program timeline & structure
Talk to usPhase 1: Bootcamp
September 2025 | Online
A 12-hour bootcamp delivered across four live sessions over three weeks. This online training covers market research, IP strategy, funding pathways, communication, and pitch development, helping researchers think and act like entrepreneurs. By the end of the bootcamp, you will not only sharpen your (non-scientific) pitch but also identify potential target markets and draft a clear roadmap to validate your market fit.
Phase 2: Market Discovery Journey
October – November 2025 | Online
The top 15 teams selected from the Bootcamp phase will engage in weekly mentoring sessions, connect with industry stakeholders, and explore pilot opportunities. This phase is focused on refining their value proposition and testing market fit.
Phase 3: Final Pitch Event
November – December 2025 | In-Person in Lisbon, Portugal
A high-profile, in-person event where the finalist teams will pitch their innovations to an audience of city officials, investors, corporate partners, and the EIT Urban Mobility ecosystem. A launchpad for future growth and collaboration.
Prof. Özge Akbulut
Your research belongs in the world not just the journal. It’s not enough to publish. As scientists, we owe it to the public to turn knowledge into impact.”
Prof. Özge Akbulut is a materials scientist and professor at Sabancı University, with academic roots at MIT and Harvard. Her work spans biomedical devices and advanced manufacturing — all driven by one goal: turning science into real-world solutions.
She is the founder of Surgitate, a company producing realistic surgical training models used by medical professionals around the world. Her groundbreaking innovations have earned her recognition from the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), including the prestigious RIS LEADERS award for her work in sustainable ceramics manufacturing.
Prof. Akbulut is proof that the lab is just the beginning — and that researchers can be some of the most powerful innovators of our time.
Focus Area - Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Startup - Surgitate
Country - Türkiye
Dr. Clément Lemardelé
Vaive Logistics, S.L., Co-founder
Clément Lemardelé is an expert in mobility and logistics, holding a PhD in logistics modeling and optimization from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). With a dual academic background in Civil Engineering from Centrale Supélec (France) and UPC, his research focuses on innovative last-mile logistics solutions, particularly the integration of autonomous delivery robots with urban micro-hub networks.
He is the co-founder of Vaive Logistics, a startup advancing sustainable last-mile delivery through automation and data-driven optimization. His expertise in technical innovation, project leadership, and strategic planning plays a critical role in shaping Vaive Logistics’ growth and in driving real-world impact across the logistics sector.
Focus Area - Last Mile Logistics
Startup - Vaive Logistics
Country - Spain
See RIS eligibility for 2025–2027
EU Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia
Horizon Europe Associated Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine
Outermost Regions: Guadeloupe (France), French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain)
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to usWhich countries are considered part of the EIT RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme)?
-EU Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia
-Horizon Europe Associated Countries: Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine
-Outermost Regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France), The Azores and Madeira (Portugal), The Canary Islands (Spain)
Is there a prize for the winning team?
While the program does not offer a monetary prize, the top-performing team will receive expert support to apply for future opportunities within EIT Urban Mobility. This includes tailored guidance to navigate funding, piloting, and acceleration programs.
Do I need a startup to apply?
No. You do not need to have a registered company. This program is designed for researchers, academics, and innovators with promising projects, prototypes, or early-stage technologies.
Can I apply as a team?
Yes. Teams are welcome to apply. Each team should assign a lead applicant who will be the main point of contact.
What language will the program be delivered in?
The entire Urban Mobility Disruptor Program — including the Roadshow events, Bootcamp sessions, and Final Pitch Event — will be delivered in English.
Is the Urban Mobility Disruptor program free to attend?
Yes, the program is free for all selected participants. It is fully funded by EIT Urban Mobility and program partners. We just ask for your commitment and motivation.
How will my research and intellectual property be protected during the UMDisruptor Program?
Your research confidentiality is a priority. While you are free to choose what details you share during the program, all mentors collaborating with research teams in the UMDisruptor Program are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to ensure your intellectual property remains protected.
Do I need a visa to participate in the in-person events?
Participants from outside the EU may require a visa to attend physical sessions. While the program does not facilitate visa applications directly, we will provide an official invitation letter confirming your selection and participation in the program, which you can include in your visa application.
Will I receive a certificate for participating?
Yes. Participants who complete the Bootcamp and/or Market Discovery Journey will receive a certificate of completion.
Are travel and accommodation costs covered for the final pitch event in Portugal?
Travel and accommodation costs for the final pitch event will be initially paid by the participants themselves but can be reimbursed based on eligibility. Specifically, five teams from each region will be selected to attend the final event in Lisbon, Portugal, and each of these teams will be reimbursed up to €500 in total (for economy-class travel and three-star hotel accommodation) upon presenting valid receipts.
In this program, regions are defined as follows:
-South West Europe: Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain
-South East Europe: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Türkiye
-North East Europe: Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Ukraine
Can I reapply if I’m not selected this year?
Yes. We encourage you to stay connected with us and apply again in future rounds. You can also follow our partner channels to explore other EIT Urban Mobility programs.
