WATCH EXPO 2023

How we will give you wings

  • 100,000€ investment between cash and acceleration services
  • Improve your product, business model and learn the best strategies from top-notch mentors and speakers
  • Present your product to top automotive and mobility companies in the world to get feedback and work together
  • The best startups of the batch get the chance to receive a follow-on investment of up to 500.000€ at the end of the program

What we are looking for

Startups will be evaluated by Plug and Play Italy and its international mobility-focused offices (Silicon Valley, Detroit, Stuttgart), CRIT Research, CDP Venture Capital and a panel of industry experts.

Startups incorporated in Italy, or willing to open a legal entity in Italy.

A motivated team with relevant education and experience. A successful startup is not a part-time job!

No fear to dream big: appetite for exponential growth.

Technologies, products or services able to revolutionize the way people move around.

Clear vision and ability to execute. We are looking for people able to turn a cool idea into a disruptive reality.

Relevant projects in the mobility or automotive industry.

A minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3-4 is preferred for hardware projects.

Products and services targeting large markets. Local can be a good start, global must be your target.

FAQs

  • How will Motor Valley Accelerator (MVA) invest in my startup?

    If selected, MVA will invest between 90,000€ and 112,000€ in the form of a convertible security (a part of which in acceleration services). The deal is very similar to an American SAFE (ie. Simple Agreement for Future Equity), whereby it involves limited paperwork, limited legal fees and no upfront equity transfer (as this will be happening upon raising a further capital increase round).
  • What is the time commitment required during the program?

    We have schedule made of office hours, mentorship sessions and workshops. This means approximately one full working day per week. Our main goal is that your focus is on building the product, and we encourage you to do it at the Motor Valley Accelerator's offices.
  • Do we have to be in Modena for the acceleration program?

    Yes. At least one member of the founding team will be asked to be in Modena for attending the activities related to the program. The use of the office space and its services for the rest of the week is not mandatory, but recommended to take full advantage of our support every day of the program. The reason we require your presence on site is to maximise exposure to other entrepreneurs and access the network of mentors, industrial partners and program managers when needed.
  • What language will be used during the program?

    English is the primary and official language for all communications and activities related to Motor Valley Accelerator program.
  • Does our company need to be incorporated before applying to the program?

    It is recommended, but not mandatory. If selected, the startup will be able to access the program by committing to incorporate as an Italian legal entity within a fixed date jointly agreed.
  • Can I apply if I am not based in Italy?

    Yes you can. In case you will be selected, you will need to promptly start the incorporation process for an Italian legal entity in order to receive the investment and attend the program.
  • We would like to apply. Is the confidential information we are sharing safe?

    Everything you will be providing through our application form will be treated with full respect of confidentiality, and will only be shared with the people involved in the selection process.
  • We have applied, what happens now?

    Once the call for applications is closed (January 29th 2023), the top 20 applicants will be asked to present their company during the Motor Valley Accelerator Selection Day, in virtual mode. The startups will be pitching in front of an audience of investors, advisors and corporate partners, which will jointly be selecting the 10 startups that will access the program.
  • We are already in talks with other potential investors (or we have already received funding from other investors). Can we still apply for the program?

    Yes, we are totally open to co-investments. Should this be your case, please mention it when filling in the application form and tell us, if non-confidential, the amount they plan to invest or have already invested in your company.

Partners and Investors

We are proudly betting on Italian mobility innovators with a prestigious group of founding partners
Initiative by
Accelerator and co-investor
Technical management
Founding investors

Our Portfolio Startups

Here are the protagonists of Motor Valley Accelerator, the startups.
Meet the industry innovators that made it into the selection and graduated from the program.

2electron
Patented software technology to bring back driving emotions, such as gear shifting, on electric vehicles. High end simulator-grade sounds and vibrations are the icing on the cake.

Carchain
Carchain is a software startup allowing OEMs (through APIs) or private users to digitize vehicles' records using blockchain technology via Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Green Independence
Green Independence recycles CO2 emissions and exploits solar energy to achieve decentralized, off-grid and cost-effective green hydrogen production.

Invisens
Invisens develops automotive and smart cities radars, focusing on low-cost and versatile radars for the growing sensor fusion systems market.

Newtwen
Newtwen has the goal of facilitating the large-scale deployment of digital twin technology for the electric transition, implemeting precise virtual sensors that can run on embedded hardware.

Novac
Novac focuses on a B2B activity supplying all-solid-state supercapacitors, that are safe and mouldable on every surface.

Ohoskin
Ohoskin patented a sustainable and vegan leather-like material made with byproducts of oranges and cacti (food and cosmetic industries) triggering a true circular economy.

Reefilla
Reefilla offers an ecosystem of advanced charging devices for EVs managed by an IoT cloud platform, enabling a new paradigm called "charge delivery".

Fast Charge Engineering
Focused on Electrification technologies, in particular EV battery packs and super capacitors, thanks to their direct liquid cooling tech.

Galvani Power
Lithium-iON modular batteries for off-highway and niche applications.

GeDy TrAss
Gearbox and power transmission static and dynamic design that takes hours instead of weeks.

HMDrive
Enabling AR experience through Head Mounted Displays on vehicles, from sport cars for training to off-road vehicles for safety and productivity.

Inventio.ai
Tailor-made industrial apps sewing together the best UX technology and deep learning: Inventio.ai enables any operator to train ML models and teach by examples to machines new tasks.

Racing Teams App
End-to-end race engineering and logistics software for racing teams, designed by race engineers for race engineers, to cover any aspect of testing, qualifying and race days.

ReCarbon
ReCarbon’s mission is to develop a one-stop and sustainable solution for the industrial re-use of carbon fibers and other advanced materials.

Vizen Analytics
Demand and lead times forecasting for automotive supply chain disruptions through AI models using internal and external data.

ACUS
Acus offers high-quality reusable molds for unique value composites parts to increase sustainability while reducing costs.

AS.CAR.I
AS.CAR.I is developing AI-based Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that harness autonomous driving technologies for high-performance cars.

Bettery
Bettery is working to bring on the market a sustainable and high energy density flow battery. The special design associated with the electrochemical characteristic creates an energy vector for batteries, changing the paradigm in energy storage and distribution.

Emsense
Emsense develops software to enable contactless radar based in-cabin health monitoring to save lives before, during and after traffic accidents.

EYE2DRIVE
EYE2DRIVE has developed a silicon-based solution inspired by the human eye that combines a unique imaging technology and AI.

Luchs Security
Luchs Security offers a compliance-focused cybersecurity testing platform for car components and IoT devices to comply with standards like ISO/SAE 21434, GB/T 38628 or JASPAR ST.

Open Energy
Open Energy provides sustainable B2B solutions for logistics, MaaS, and corporate fleets, featuring HyperSwap for the lowest Total Cost of Ownership and infrastructure cost, energy storage capability.

èlevit
èlevit is an exclusive touch technology to produce Smart Surfaces using materials such as glass. Their mission is to innovate how consumers interact with everyday products.

The program in a Nutshell

Weekly Workshops

Practical workshops in product development, growth, IP protection, as you’ll learn how to scale your business, get more funding and address key business challenges. The industry leaders will have the mic.

Prove your value and get funded

If selected, an initial small amount funding will allow your team to focus on the 5-month program. Additionally, up to 500.000 Euros are available as follow-on investment for the most promising companies.

Office space

As part of the program you will have access to our office in Modena, a brand new office space equipped with everything you need to be 24/7 focused on growing your business. You will also be granted on-demand access to the other offices in Italy (Milan, Turin) and worldwide in the Plug and Play's network.

International Network

You will have the opportunity to connect with VCs, angel investors, successful entrepreneurs, and industry experts. Check out our locations. Attendance (virtual or physical, according to safety measures) to Startup Autobahn EXPO is part of the plan too: fasten your seatbelts!

Partnership opportunities

You'll have the chance to meet with our corporate partners to potentially develop a Proof of Concept and establish a relationship to strategically support the goals of the company and validate your product.

A team you can count on

As your early investors, our team will always have your back, even after the program ends. Count on our expertise to help you with connections, business strategies, etc.

Program Timeline

Batch 2023

Call for Applications

OPEN

Submit your application during the application window to have the chance to be selected for the Motor Valley Accelerator program.

Last day to Apply!

CLOSE

Hurry up! This is the last day to apply. If you missed the application window, the next call will be one year from now.

Launch Event

PROGRAM START

The launch event in Modena with the selected statups will be the first chance to present your projects to our corporate partners and establish a connection with them. This also marks the kick off for the program.

Acceleration Program

Work on your product in our office space with the MVA team support, attend weekly workshops and connect with our corporate partners to explore collaborations. Attendance (virtual or physical, according to safety measures) to Startup Autobahn EXPO in Stuttgart is planned too!

EXPO Day

PROGRAM END

All good things come to an end... but it's just the beginning! We will be eager to support you from now on, as part of our portfolio companies. The best projects will be rewarded with the opportunity of a follow-on investment up to 500.000€!


Meet our team


Enrico Dente
Enrico holds a MS in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University of Turin. His previous experience includes a research role at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a CTO role in a power conversion and wireless power transfer startup. He joined the Open Innovation industry through a period spent in Silicon Valley, after which he established the Motor Valley Accelerator’s office and program in 2021.

Camila Tellez
Having lived in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Camila gained a deep understanding of different cultures both in a sociological and business perspective. She is passionate about sustainability, social impact, and the use of technology to improve societal challenges. At MVA, Camila is responsible for the development and deployment the acceleration program, as well as the key events of the year.

Allegra Marini
Allegra holds a MS in International Management, with a first entrepreneurial experience in the automotive field through the TACC program of Modena University. She then worked as Application Manager in the blockchain industry before joining MVA as Ventures and Innovation Advisor, where she's active in scouting activities and assisting portfolio startups in the access to equity-free funding opportunities.

Leonardo Vegezzi
Management engineer passionate about Management and Finance, Leonardo is an energetic and enthusiastic person, provided with a solid quantitative background. He joined MVA as Ventures Associate, supporting the technology scouting activities, the startup selection process and the investment procedures.

What are you
waiting for?

Applications for Batch 2023 are now closed.

Get ready for 2024, we are looking for you! Applications will be open again in early 2024.