Micromobility Startup Challenge

Thank you for your applications!

the startup challenge by

The fight against climate change is one of the greatest challenges we have to face in the 21st century, and the decarbonization of mobility is essential for this. Transport is responsible for a quarter of global CO2 emissions and a large part of pollution in urban environments. For this reason, the electrification of transport is the only way to address both problems with a common origin through electric vehicles, which improve energy use and efficiency.

The Iberdrola Group is committed to the electrification of transport and to an ambitious Sustainable Mobility Plan which aims to install nearly 150,000 private electric vehicle charging points, more than 2,500 on public roads in Spain and Portugal, and more than 2,300 fast, super-fast and ultra-fast charge points by 2023.

The explosive growth of micromobility makes it a key sector in the cities of the future. It is estimated the sector will be worth between 300 billion and 500 billion euros by 2030.

Nowadays, most of these vehicles belong to different companies that offer sharing services for bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, and mopeds, although the number of individuals or companies that decide to acquire ownership of these types of vehicles is also increasing significantly.

Vandalism has sometimes become a problem in some areas where users park bicycles, scooters, and motorbikes on the street. Moreover, since there is no specific parking for these vehicles, abandoned scooters and motorbikes left in the middle of the pavements of large cities are becoming a problem.

Moreover, most of the vehicles that are parked on the street belong to micro-mobility operators and do not have access to a charging point, which implies a significant maintenance cost for these companies.

Iberdrola is therefore looking for parking, storage, and charging solutions for micromobility that favor the electrification of urban transport.

Parking & Storing

Solutions that guarantee the safe storage of scooters and bicycles and other shared vehicles against theft and vandalism, integrating the corresponding custody systems (i.e. padlocks).

Charging

Solutions providing charging points for private users and fleets of shared vehicles, not depending on the manufacturer’s charging system. Possible adaptation to motorbikes and mopeds will be positively assessed.

Digitalization

Digital solutions that enable easy integration with mobile devices via an app.

Your Solution

If your solution has a value proposition for micromobility that favors the electrification of urban transport, we want to know!

Winning this Challenge will award you with signing a collaboration agreement for the development of a proof-of-concept. The PoC will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from the Iberdrola Smart Mobility team. Additionally, Iberdrola covers the costs and provides you with the necessary technical support, giving access to infrastructures and real data to test the solution.

Pilot Project

Sign a collaboration agreement with Iberdrola. The project costs are covered & you will get full technical support to test your solution.

New Clients

When the pilot project succeeds, Iberdrola will add your solutions to its service territory and relevant companies within the group.

Scaling

When the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola may offer you the opportunity to scale up your solution by means of commercial agreements.

Possible Investment

When you win, PERSO, the Venture Capital arm of Iberdrola, might consider investing in your solution as well.

Timeline

5 July 2021
Applications Open

30 July 2021
Application Deadline

September 2021

Evaluation Finishes

2021/2022

Pilot Project

Contact Iberdrola
IberdrolaChallenge@iberdrola.es

FAQ

See our responses to some of the most common questions or view our Terms & Conditions.

What is the background of this Challenge?

The fight against climate change is one of the greatest challenges that humanity will have to face in the 21st century, and the decarbonization of the economy and mobility is essential for this. The Iberdrola group has been pioneering the energy transition for 20 years and is a leader in renewable energies.

In this context, transport is responsible for a quarter of global CO2 emissions and a large part of pollution in urban environments. For this reason, the electrification of transport is the only way to address both problems with a common origin through electric vehicles, which improve energy use and efficiency.

Currently, the electrification of road transport, particularly in urban areas, involves the penetration of Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) such as bicycles, scooters, and electric motorbikes. Mobility in this type of vehicle is not only more efficient and environmentally friendly but also greatly helps to relieve congestion in cities during heavy traffic, therefore helping to improve air quality.

The explosive growth of micro-mobility makes it a key sector in the cities of the future. It is estimated the sector will be worth between 300 billion and 500 billion euros by 2030, while public transport is currently losing market share.

Nowadays, most of these vehicles belong to different companies that offer sharing services for bicycles, scooters, motorbikes, and mopeds, although the number of individuals or companies that decide to acquire ownership of these types of vehicles is also increasing significantly.

Vandalism has sometimes become a problem in some areas where users park bicycles, scooters, and motorbikes on the street. Moreover, since there is no specific parking for these vehicles, abandoned scooters and motorbikes left in the middle of the pavements of large cities are becoming a problem for the public administration (i.e. city councils), users, and micro-mobility sharing companies.

In this reality, most of the vehicles that are parked on the street belong to micro-mobility operators and do not have access to a charging point, which implies a significant maintenance cost for these companies, adding to the challenge of maintaining their fleets with optimal charge levels so that users can get the best out of the vehicles.

In the case of private users, they are currently resorting to taking their vehicles inside their offices or homes in order to address both the issues of secure parking and storage and charging. This practice can be somewhat inconvenient when space is limited and/or the vehicle is not easily transportable.

Iberdrola is therefore looking for parking, storage, and charging solutions for micromobility that favor the electrification of urban transport.

Why is Iberdrola the right partner for my company?

The Iberdrola Group is no stranger to collaborating with startups. The group actively seeks to generate mutually beneficial partnerships and to facilitate the implementation of the best ideas.

Iberdrola is committed to the electrification of transport and to an ambitious Sustainable Mobility Plan which was launched in 2016 and aims, among other things, to install nearly 150,000 private electric vehicle charging points, more than 2,500 on public roads in Spain and Portugal, and more than 2,300 fast, super-fast and ultra-fast charge points by 2023.

Working with the renewables leader is the perfect test bed for your solution!

What solutions are you looking for?

Iberdrola is looking for parking, storage, and charging solutions for micromobility that favor the electrification of urban transport.

The following value propositions will be considered, among others:

1. Solutions that guarantee the safe storage of scooters and bicycles against theft and vandalism, integrating the corresponding custody systems (i.e. padlocks).
2. Solutions providing charging points for private users and fleets of shared vehicles, not depending on the manufacturer's charging system. Possible adaptation to motorbikes and mopeds will be positively assessed.
3. Digitalization of the solution and integration with mobile devices via an app.

It would be advantageous if your solutions:
• Guarantee cybersecurity and protection of users’ personal data
• Allow remote control (availability and booking) and occupancy detection
• Are capable of detecting squatting or intruders
• Optimize the use of land and modular designs

What are the Challenge's key benefits for me?

When you win the Challenge, the main prize will consist of you signing a collaboration and proof of concept agreement with Iberdrola/Perseo.

For the collaboration of the pilot project, Iberdrola will:
• assume the costs of the collaboration and the proof of concept
• provide you with the necessary technical support to test the solution proposed
• give you access to equipment, appliances, infrastructure, high technology sites and joint work areas
• provide you with a real environment and real data to test your solution

Additional benefits include:
• scaling your solution by means of commercial agreements directly or indirectly through another Iberdrola group company
• a possibility for investment in your company through PERSEO
• adding your solution to Iberdrola's service territory if the PoC succeeds

What do I need to know about the Pilot Project?

The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract with Iberdrola and be able to test their solution in a real environment.

For the collaboration of the pilot project, Iberdrola will:
• assume the costs of the collaboration and the proof of concept
• provide the necessary technical support to test the solution proposed
• give access to equipment, appliances, infrastructure, high technology sites, and joint work areas
• provide a real environment and real data to test the solution

The pilot project will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from the Iberdrola.

Can I submit more than one proposal?

You are welcome to submit more than one proposal, just make sure to submit a separate application form for each.

When is the application deadline?

The application period for this challenge ends on 30 July 2021 (31 July 2021 at 00:00 GMT).

How will the applications be evaluated?

The evaluation of your proposal will take into account:

• Investment and operating costs
• The maturity and suitability of the proposals for different models
• Simplicity of implementation and scalability
• Ease of use and integration with Iberdrola’s portfolio of services
• Applicability and ability to reach agreements with global partners
• The business model and value proposition for the end-user
• The degree of digitalization of the proposal

All submissions will be evaluated by Iberdrola's Smart Mobility team.