Live broadcast from the Unicorn Stage, Beato Innovation District Lisbon
14 April 2026 @ 19h00-20h30 CET

Opening Ceremony of the European Startup Prize for Mobility 2026 (7th edition)

Under the patronage of Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon

About the prize

The European Startup Prize for Mobility is Europe’s largest acceleration and investment-readiness programme dedicated to smart and clean mobility startups.

Co-Founded in cooperation with European Parliament and supported by major European institutions and industry leaders, the Prize identifies the most promising mobility startups across Europe and connects them with high-level investors, corporates, and policymakers.

Over six editions, the Prize has supported more than 100 top startups, helping them scale, raise funding, access markets, and shape the future of European mobility.

The 7th edition will continue this mission — at a time when Europe’s industrial sovereignty, climate transition, and innovation leadership are more strategic than ever.

Why watch?

This Opening Ceremony convenes political and economic leadership from across Europe, featuring contributions from major European institutions and leading industry actors.

We will hear from representatives of the European Commission, European Investment Bank, European Parliament, City of Lisbon, Principality of Monaco, Mastercard, TUM Venture Labs, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, Voies Navigables de France (VNF), Luxinnovation, Technoport, Groupe ADP, Brisa and many others!

The event is designed for:

  • Mobility and climate tech startups considering applying to the 7th edition.
  • Investors and corporates seeking deal flow in transport, infrastructure and urban mobility.
  • EU policymakers and innovation stakeholders.
  • Anyone interested in the intersection of clean mobility, industrial strategy, and European competitiveness.

Applications to the 7th edition will officially open on the day of the ceremony and remain open until mid-June.

Moderator

  • Marianna Evenstein – News Anchor, DW

Introduction

  • Karima Delli – President and Co-Founder, European Start Prize for Mobility
  • Nic Knapp – Managing Director, TUM Venture Lab Mobility (Prize Co-Founder)
  • Gil Azevedo – Executive Director, Unicorn Factory Lisboa (event Co-Host)
  • Dan Sobovitz – Managing Director, European Startup Prize for Mobility

Keynote Speaker

  • Maria Luisa Aldim – Lisbon City Councilor, in charge of innovation

Agenda

Panel Discussion 1 – What your country can do for you. How can the public sector actively support European mobility innovation?

  • Tilly Metz – Member of the European Parliament, Geens/EFA
  • Giorgio Travaini – Executive Director, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking
  • H.E. Mr. Henrique de Polignac Mascarenhas de Barros – Ambassador of Monaco to Portugal (TBC)
  • Perrine Lavelle – Head of European Affairs, French River Mobility Authority
  • Orkun Ozbatur – Manager, Start-up Relations, Luxinnovation
  • Erez Arye – Head of the Automobility Incubator, Technoport Luxembourg
  • Prof. Laurence Tubiana – CEO, European Climate Foundation
  • Jean Todt – Special Envoy for Road Safety, United Nations

Panel Discussion 2 – What the market actually wants. How do corporates and capital providers engage with mobility startups?

  • Claudia Machado – Head of Group Strategic Innovation, Brisa Group
  • Emile Craysaac – Mobility and Intermodality, Group ADP
  • Friedo van Gelder – Vice President, Urban Mobility, Mastercard
  • Lara Amini – Co-Founder & Managing Director, Loxo

Panel Discussion 3 – Before you apply: Criteria. Stages. Acceleration. What does the 7th edition actually entail?

  • Karima Delli – President and Co-Founder, European Start Prize for Mobility
  • Nic Knapp – Managing Director, TUM Venture Lab Mobility (Prize Co-Founder)
  • Dan Sobovitz – Managing Director, European Startup Prize for Mobility

Maria Luisa Aldim (Keynote Speaker)

Lisbon City Councilor, in charge of innovation

Tilly Metz

Member of the European Parliament, Greens/EFA

Karima Delli

President and Co-Founder, European Start Prize for Mobility

Nic Knapp

Managing Director, TUM Venture Lab Mobility

Gil Azevedo

Executive Director, Unicorn Factory Lisboa

Dan Sobovitz

Managing Director, European Startup Prize for Mobility

Giorgio Travaini

Executive Director, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking

H.E. Mr. Henrique de Polignac Mascarenhas de Barros (TBC)

Ambassador of Monaco to Portugal

Perrine Lavelle

Head of European Affairs, French River Mobility Authority

Orkun Özbatur

Manager, Start-up Relations, Luxinnovation

Erez Arye

Head of the Automobility Incubator, Technoport Luxembourg

Prof. Laurence Tubiana

CEO, European Climate Foundation

Claudia Machado

Head of Group Strategic Innovation, Brisa Group

Friedo van Gelder

Vice President, Urban Mobility, Mastercard

Lara Amini

Co-Founder & Managing Director, Loxo

Emile Craysaac

Mobility and Intermodality, Group ADP

Jean Todt

Special Envoy for Road Safety, United Nations

Marianna Evenstein

Moderator, News Anchor, DW

Date

14 April 2026

Time

19h00 – 20h30 CET (Brussels Time)

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No registration is required for this event.

This event will be broadcast live from the Unicorn Stage, Beato Innovation District Lisbon.

Catch the live-streaming on this page and on The Brussels Times social media channels.


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