EIC and STARTUP AUTOBAHN link European deep tech start-ups with automotive incumbents at Stuttgart Multi-Corporate Day

On 4 and 5 June 2025 the European Innovation Council ran an EIC Multi-Corporate Day in partnership with STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play. The two-day acceleration activity brought 11 EIC-funded start-ups from seven countries to the STARTUP AUTOBAHN Expo Summit in Stuttgart. The format paired the selected start-ups with decision-makers from several large automotive and automation companies including ZF, Eberspächer, DXC Technology, Motherson, OPmobility, SEAT and Togg. The stated objective was to identify pilot projects, co-development opportunities, procurement routes and potential strategic investments.

What happened in Stuttgart

The activity is part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services, an umbrella of support that aims to move EIC-backed innovations from grant to market. STARTUP AUTOBAHN is an innovation platform that specialises in connecting start-ups with corporations across mobility and manufacturing. The Multi-Corporate Day combined curated pre-selection of start-ups with one-to-one meetings and pitching sessions aimed at aligning startup solutions with corporate innovation priorities. The EIC provided preparatory training, mentoring and pitch dry-runs to the selected teams ahead of the meetings.

Why corporates take part and what they expect

Corporations attend curated events like these to shorten scouting cycles and stress-test potentially disruptive suppliers without running an open call procurement process. For corporates the immediate benefits are rapid access to pre-screened technology, concentrated meetings with potential pilots and a chance to surface product fit or integration challenges early. From the start-ups' perspective the event offered direct access to procurement and R&D decision-makers, potential corporate pilots and introductions into supply chains.

Start-up technologies on show and why they matter

The 11 start-ups reflected a broad set of technical approaches that map onto several pressing industry needs for automotive and mobility platforms. Those needs include stronger in-vehicle compute and security, lighter and more conductive materials, sensing improvements for autonomy and advanced driver assistance, and digital traceability for complex supply chains and regulatory compliance.

Preparation and support for start-ups

Selected EIC-backed start-ups received preparatory services from the EIC. That included mentoring, pitch training and dry runs to sharpen business narratives and technical demonstrations. Start-up representatives reported that this preparation increased meeting efficiency and produced higher quality discussions with corporate teams than generic conference networking.

Voices from participants

Corporate and start-up participants highlighted practical value while also flagging that early engagement is just the first step in a long adoption path. Urszula Kosidlo, Head of Open Innovation at Motherson, said that being part of the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme gives access to pre-selected, well-prepared start-ups which increases efficiency and that she hopes initial discussions will lead to proof-of-concept collaborations. Scantrust's Director of Sales EMEA, Helen Pfennig, said the Corporate Day was a ‘door opener’ and that the team had multiple valuable meetings. Tangio's Head of Innovation Programs, Joe Johnson, praised the EIC's preparation and support for enabling a clear connection with potential partners.

What the EIC promises and what to watch for

The EIC frames these corporate days as part of a systematic approach to corporate–startup engagement under its Business Acceleration Services. The BAS offers a mix of market access, procurement support, investor readiness and international trade fair exposure. The EIC reports measurable outputs from BAS activities such as one-to-one meetings, deals and follow-ups. Such figures are useful, but they do not by themselves guarantee scaled revenue for start-ups.

Risks, limitations and realistic timeframes

Corporate days and curated matches are necessary but not sufficient conditions for industrial adoption. Early-stage pilots often stall when the corporate partner lacks a clear procurement path, when safety or regulatory certifications are costly, or when supply chain integration proves complex. Deep tech start-ups face technical validation barriers, long sales cycles and the need to meet automotive standards. The gap between pilot and scaled deployment can be 12 to 36 months or longer, depending on the solution and the regulatory environment.

A pragmatic approach to collaboration requires clear definitions of success for pilots, shared expectations on IP and data rights, and transparent follow-up mechanisms. The EIC and STARTUP AUTOBAHN provide convening power and preparatory coaching. Ultimately the outcome depends on whether corporates will convert proof-of-concept success into procurement commitments or equity-led partnerships.

Practical takeaways for start-ups and corporates

For start-ups: be explicit about the problem you solve for the corporate buyer, provide realistic timelines and show measurable KPIs for pilots. For corporates: understand the difference between a technology demonstration and a supplier-ready solution, and prepare internal sponsorship and procurement routes before running pilots. For both parties: agree on IP, data sharing and evaluation criteria up front.

Conclusion

Events such as the EIC Multi-Corporate Day with STARTUP AUTOBAHN are practical mechanisms to speed up discovery and initial alignment between deep tech start-ups and large industrial buyers. The EIC provides useful scaffolding through pre-selection, coaching and follow-up pathways. That said, organisers and participants should avoid overselling early meetings as proxy for scaled commercialisation. The real test will be follow-through: whether pilots move to procurement, whether investments follow, and whether start-ups can navigate certification and industrialisation hurdles.

For start-ups seeking similar exposure the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme remains an open route. Corporates interested in joining the Trusted Corporate Network can apply through the EIC channels and must be prepared to commit the internal processes that convert initial meetings into funded pilots and supply contracts.

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