Driving Innovation Forward: PowerHUB-BuildINN Academy and Engaged Investments Conference Ignite the Future of Mobility
Prague recently became the center of attention for the mobility innovation world as it hosted the Engaged Investments Conference alongside the PowerHUB-BuildINN Academy. The event took place from October 23-24, 2024, and gathered Europe’s most ambitious startups, eager to present their solutions and connect with key investors. Over two days, participants engaged in masterclasses, workshops, and pitching sessions, leaving the event equipped with fresh insights and promising connections.
The first day was dedicated to an intense PowerHUB-BuildINN Masterclass, which focused on refining value propositions. This is not just about showing what you have, but about proving that what you bring to the market is truly disruptive and relevant. The startups, guided by seasoned mentors, dived deep into strategies on how to validate their ideas in a fast-evolving market. It wasn’t merely theoretical but a real-life exercise for them to sharpen their business ideas. This wasn’t the first time these entrepreneurs gathered; they built on lessons from a previous kick-off meeting earlier this summer, but this was where things got truly serious.
On the second day, the focus shifted towards real-world exposure, starting with the EIT Urban Mobility Scale-Up pitching session. From 13:30 to 15:00, the most disruptive mobility startups in the program had their moment to pitch in front of a panel of investors and industry leaders. These sessions, mandatory for EIT Urban Mobility participants, were critical—each pitch represented months of work, distilled into a few high-stakes minutes. But this was only one part of the day. Entrepreneurs also attended expert workshops, preparing them for the challenges ahead, and the event built up to the prestigious Startup World Cup. The day ended on a high note, with a cocktail reception that opened the floor for further networking in a more relaxed environment.
PowerHUB played a vital role throughout the event. Organizing and delivering a full day of intensive training through the PowerHUB-BuildINN Academy, PowerHUB made sure startups were not only ready to pitch but had a clear strategy to stand out. This continuation of training, following the summer kick-off, proved key in helping these startups adapt their value propositions to the dynamic needs of investors and the market. Beyond that, PowerHUB secured exclusive stage time for the EIT Urban Mobility scale-ups, ensuring they were front and center during the conference’s most critical showcase moments.
It was a busy room, not just with entrepreneurs but also with investors, representatives from EIT Urban Mobility, and key industry partners, including CARNET, UTUM, NFF, and Fraunhofer. Everyone present had one thing in common: they were looking for the next big idea in mobility. The event gave the startups access to people who could be the key to their future success, and for the investors, it was an opportunity to see the cutting-edge innovations that will likely shape the future of mobility.
Once again, this event showed the importance of collaboration and the unique role that structured programs like EIT Urban Mobility play in supporting young startups. For these entrepreneurs, the journey doesn’t stop at having a brilliant idea. It requires continuous learning, refinement, and—most importantly—connections. With the help of PowerHUB and its strategic partners, this program continues to provide a crucial bridge between groundbreaking innovations and the financial and strategic backing necessary to bring them to life.
The two days in Prague were not just an event—they were part of an ongoing journey. The EIT Urban Mobility Scale-Up program continues to be a leading platform, supporting mobility startups with all the resources they need to grow and thrive.
This project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. EIT Urban Mobility acts to accelerate positive change on mobility to make urban spaces more liveable. Learn more: eiturbanmobility.eu