The Volkswagen Mobility Challenge is returning to the region this year and is looking for young entrepreneurs based in the UAE or KSA that have an idea or early-stage innovation aimed at changing the world of mobility.  Startup ideas should fit in one or more of the following themes: car sharing, mobility services, parking management, In-car delivery, car connectivity, multi-platforms transportation, last-mile management, and ride-hailing.

Who can apply?

• Startup ideas that leverage tech in the mobility sector
• Passion for Tech and innovation and the automotive industry
• Drive to turn their ideas into real, scalable business ventures.

Finalists who submitted the most relevant, innovative and creative ideas will get treated to a round of workshops in January 2020 aimed at providing the tools needed to prepare startups for their pitch including value proposition, target market, competitive advantage, overall business model, innovation/scalability, and relevance to the “mobility” theme.

10 startups will have a few weeks after the workshops to hone their presentations for the Pitch Day happening on February 9, 2020, where the 5 finalists will be selected. Once selected, finalists will have a few days to make their last-minute tweaks before the public pitch competition in front of the official jury at STEP Conference in Dubai, taking place on February 12, 2020.

Winners will enjoy the following awards:

• Desking and business license/company setup provided by Dtec
• A Volkswagen car leased for 1 year to your team
• A trip to Germany to meet with some of the greatest minds in mobility and smart cities from the Volkswagen Group.

*All finalists will receive LinkedIn Premium accounts & free mentoring/ prototyping sessions. 

Important dates: 

• Application deadline -  November 30th, 2019.
• Finalists Announced -  December 10th, 2019.
• Pitch practice day with 10 teams – February 9th, 2020.
• Step Day 2 and Final teams pitch challenge – February 12th, 2020.

Find out more, and submit your application before the deadline on December 14.