inVest – Urban Mobility Accelerator

• Weekly workshops focused on idea validation, MVP, and business model development
• One-on-one mentoring with international and local experts
• Final pitch event with access to the EIT Urban Mobility network
• Direct collaboration with local municipalities for urban testing

inVest connects innovators, cities, and economic actors across the West Region to transform urban mobility. The program supports early-stage founders, enables real collaboration with municipalities, and contributes to a green, digital, and inclusive transition.

Urban mobility in Romania is at a crossroads. Challenges like pollution, congestion, and the lack of modern, integrated transport alternatives are growing more complex in the face of rapid urbanization, aging infrastructure, and unequal access to services. As cities become denser and more central to economic and social life, the pressure on mobility systems intensifies.

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According to the United Nations, by 2050 nearly 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, adding approximately 2.5 billion more people to cities across the globe. This makes mobility not just a technical issue, but a critical pillar of social and economic infrastructure — one that influences access to education, healthcare, jobs, and inclusive public spaces.

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Romania’s urban centers, such as Bucharest, already reflect the urgency of this transition. In 2024, the TomTom Traffic Index ranked Bucharest as the 5th most congested city in the world, with drivers spending over 150 hours a year stuck in traffic. For many, the car has become a “second home” — a space where large portions of daily life unfold, often at the cost of time, health, and quality of life. Road traffic also remains a major source of air pollution, a top public health threat across the EU, contributing to over 300,000 premature deaths annually due to pollutants like PM2.5,

NO₂, and O₃.

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On top of that, urban mobility in Romania is marked by deep inequalities. Many urban and peri-urban neighborhoods lack efficient, affordable mobility options, isolating vulnerable groups — including the elderly, youth, and low-income populations — from vital opportunities.

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While local governments are increasingly open to smart mobility solutions, startups often struggle to gain market access, pilot their innovations in real-life settings, or connect to European ecosystems that could accelerate their growth.

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This is where inVest comes in.
The inVest Urban Mobility Accelerator bridges the gap with a structured program combining funding, hands-on mentoring, and access to the EIT Urban Mobility network. It gives Romanian startups the tools and partnerships they need to test, scale, and integrate their solutions — not just locally, but across Europe’s evolving urban landscape.

Primary beneficiaries:

• Early-stage teams building mobility startups
• European startups seeking to expand and validate their solutions in Romania

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‍Secondary beneficiaries:

• Citizens
• Municipalities in the West Region
• Urban planners, investors, and other local mobility stakeholders
• Communities looking for smart, green, and accessible mobility solutions