The Financial Times, in collaboration with Statista and Sifted, has published the second edition of its Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs 2025 ranking. This list highlights 150 hubs (across all sectors) evaluated by experts : investors, entrepreneurs, and academics, for their ability to support emerging businesses.
While Germany leads the ranking with UnternehmerTUM and the United Kingdom boasts the highest number of hubs (29, mostly in London), the European ecosystem dedicated to sustainable mobility stands out as a key driver of innovation.
But faced with such diversity, entrepreneurs may wonder: which ecosystems offer the best opportunities for funding and networking in the mobility sector? Where can they find an ecosystem that supports sustainable innovation and new transport technologies? And most importantly, are the top-ranked hubs always the best fit for my startup?
That’s why, let’s take a closer look at the 8 leading European hubs dedicated to mobility.
8 – Trenlab Renfe
On the last step of this TOP 8, we find Trenlab Renfe. Launched in 2018 in Madrid, Spain, Trenlab is the accelerator of the railway company Renfe, focusing on innovative solutions for rail transport and urban mobility. It supports start-ups developing technologies to enhance railway infrastructure, optimize passenger flow management, and improve travel experiences.
7 – Carnet
Ranked 7th, Carnet, founded in 2015 in Barcelona, Spain, is an innovation hub specializing in urban and sustainable mobility. In collaboration with SEAT and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, it supports start-ups working on shared vehicles, micromobility, and smart transport solutions. Carnet plays a crucial role in developing urban pilot projects.
6 – EIT KIC Urban Mobility
Just outside the TOP 5, EIT KIC Urban Mobility, established in 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, aims to make cities more sustainable. Each year, it launches a series of mobility-focused calls for projects to support startups in key areas: urban logistics, public transport, shared vehicles, inclusive mobility, and more.
In 2022, EIT Urban Mobility introduced its Accelerator Programmes, designed to support early-stage startups for six months as they rethink urban transport systems. These programs combine personalized coaching, a full range of acceleration services, and privileged access to “Living Labs” to test and refine their solutions. The 2025 call for projects is now open and revolves around three main themes: Future Mobility, Inclusive Mobility, and Smart Mobility.
5 – DB Mindbox
Entering the TOP 5, we start with DB mindbox (Berlin, Germany). Since 2015, DB mindbox, the Deutsche Bahn accelerator, has supported startups developing technologies for rail transport and smart infrastructure. More than just an accelerator, DB mindbox also serves as Deutsche Bahn’s coworking space in Berlin, where startups and DB employees collaborate on innovations for the core rail business, particularly those based on digital technologies. The program features an intensive 100-day support period, allowing startups to test their innovations in a real-world railway environment, closely aligned with Deutsche Bahn’s operations.
4 – Startport
In 4th place, Startport, founded in 2017 in Duisburg, Germany, focuses on logistics and port mobility solutions. Based in Duisburg, Europe’s largest inland port, the hub supports start-ups working on intelligent supply chains, autonomous vehicles, and sustainable transport solutions.
3 – BFA Business Factory Auto
In 3rd place at the foot of the podium, BFA Business Factory Auto, created in 2016 in Vigo, Spain, is a hub dedicated to automotive innovation. Supported by the Galician government and Stellantis, it helps start-ups develop technologies for connected vehicles, electromobility, and smart manufacturing. Its program combines mentorship, funding, and access to industrial infrastructure.
2 – Via ID
At the forefront, in 2nd place, is Via ID (Paris, France). Since 2010, Via ID has established itself as the leading investment fund and startup accelerator for mobility in Europe. In partnership with Mobilians, Via ID co-founded the Moove Lab in 2017, a six-month acceleration program for mobility and automotive start-ups, hosted at Station F. That same year, it also co-founded the European Startup Prize for Mobility alongside Karima Delli, former Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, and the Boston Consulting Group, to support European start-ups focused on sustainable mobility. In figures, Via ID means more than 20 active investments, including Heetch, Klaxit and Getaround, and over 300 companies supported.
“Seeing Via ID make its debut in the Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs ranking by the Financial Times is a great recognition, reflecting over 10 years of hands-on experience. With conviction and pragmatism, we have built a strong community of entrepreneurs in France and across Europe, working to accelerate the development of sustainable mobility. This distinction reaffirms our commitment to supporting startups with a concrete, field-driven approach. Congratulations as well to our partners UTUM and STATION F, who confirm their position among the top European hubs!”
— David Schwarz, General Manager, Via ID
1 – Startup Autobahn Powered by Plug and Play
In pole position is Startup Autobahn (Stuttgart, Germany), founded in 2016 by Plug and Play in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, ARENA2036, and the University of Stuttgart. Startup Autobahn is Europe’s leading open innovation platform in the mobility sector. Supported by industrial giants such as Daimler, Porsche, and Bosch, along with 29 other active partners, it connects top-tier start-ups with leading companies to co-develop innovative solutions in mobility, production, sustainability, and more.
Since its creation, it has accelerated 289 start-ups, completed 380 pilot projects, and organized 223 virtual events. Its intensive acceleration program provides start-ups with direct access to the R&D resources of industrial partners, with a particular focus on connected mobility technologies and autonomous vehicles. Notable collaborations facilitated by Startup Autobahn include ClimaCell, an American start-up redefining weather data, and Porsche, which integrated real-time weather data into the Porsche Roads app.