Following the success of its two previous editions, TrenLab, Renfe's accelerator developed by Wayra España, is launching its third call for applications today to attract and boost the most promising startups in the mobility sector. For this edition, TrenLab aims to address three major challenges related to the mobility sector: digitalization, communication, and customer experience. The accelerator seeks to focus on the user to create services that provide added value, better understand their needs and opinions, and obtain new sources of business data that expand management and analytical capabilities. The jury will assess the growth and scalability potential of the startups, as well as the differentiating value they bring to the market. The call is aimed at startups from around the world in seed and early stage.
The winners of the last edition, Imotion Analytics, Obuu, Ossicles and Showleap, are now working at the Wayra Spain hub on Gran Vía. They were selected from among more than 170 participants, and are now part of TrenLab along with Limmat Group, Zeleros, Nixi1, selected in the first edition. Since joining TrenLab, these startups have connected with leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, worked on business development with Renfe, and received individualized training in financing, sales, team building, branding, networking, communication, and other key areas for scaling their startups. Specifically, Iomob is currently involved in the development of Renfe's mobility-as-a-service platform, 'Renfe As A Service' (RaaS).
As a reward, the winning startups of this new edition will be able to access business opportunities with Renfe and Wayra/Telefónica. In addition, they will receive a personalized acceleration plan, a cash prize of up to €50,000, supplementary training, and access to Wayra's global network, which has 11 hubs distributed across 10 countries, representing a great networking opportunity. With this project, the Renfe Group will be able to incorporate entrepreneurial methodology, knowledge, and culture into its business structure. Renfe's Director of Strategy and Development, Manel Villalante, announced today at South Summit 2019 the new TrenLab call for applications, which will be open until December 3rd. Startups interested in applying can do so at www.trenlab.es. Villalante also announced today ‘Renfe as a Service’ (RaaS), a new ‘mobility as a service’ platform developed with TrenLab’s startup, Iomob.
TrenLab was launched a year ago, at the South Summit 2018, with the aim of driving Renfe’s digital transformation and strengthening its position ahead of the upcoming liberalization of the passenger rail market.