The application period is now open to become one of the startups accelerated by Trenlab, Renfe's new startup accelerator, which will be developed by Wayra at its headquarters on Gran Vía (Madrid), Telefónica's open innovation hub. Interested startups can register from October 15th until November 26th at www.trenlab.es.
The call, aimed at startups worldwide in seed and early stage phases, presents three major business challenges to the entrepreneurial community: Digital Mobility, Digitalization of Operations, and On-Demand Logistics. Startups will have to address these challenges with the aim of reinventing the travel experience for Renfe customers, flexibly adapting Renfe's logistics offering to the demand for freight transport, and maximizing the potential of digital technologies to manage operations in real time. The selected startups will receive a personalized acceleration plan, with a monetary prize of up to €50,000, administrative and legal support, supplementary training, and a networking platform to help develop their projects. The project will also contribute to incorporating entrepreneurial methodology, knowledge, and culture into the Renfe Group, as well as identifying and fostering internal innovation and talent.
Trenlab, Renfe's new accelerator with Wayra
Presented at South Summit, Renfe's new accelerator will run for the next two years and aims to boost the company's digital transformation and strengthen its position ahead of the upcoming liberalization of the passenger rail market, in accordance with the European Union's Fourth Rail Package.
TrenLab is activated under an open collaboration formula in the development of disruptive ideas that add new value to the mobility and transport market as a central part of Renfe's activity. It will boost early-stage business initiatives, allow companies to incorporate knowledge, accelerate adaptation to the current technological environment, and advance the digital transformation of the railway system, always taking the needs of customers and users as a reference point. Digitalization is at the heart of TrenLab's objectives, exploring areas such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS), Blockchain, artificial intelligence solutions, and Big Data. The acceleration program is aimed at any project in its initial stages, with growth potential, an innovative character, and compatibility with the Renfe Group's corporate purpose. More information: www.trenlab.com