What Autotech Council does

Autotech Council is a privately-held, membership-based community organization founded in 2012 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, that curates introductions between automotive OEMs, Tier 1 vendors, mobility investors, and startups working on transportation innovation. Operating with a small team of 1-10 employees, it runs monthly Startup Review and topic-focused Innovation Review meetings at member-owned venues across Silicon Valley (Hyundai CRADLE, Volkswagen Innovation Center, Bosch, SRI/PARC), with additional programming in Detroit and Tokyo and global reach via CES, Sensors Converge, ACT Expo, and Mobile World Congress debriefs. The organization introduces more than 100 curated companies to members each year and facilitates 250-300 pre-screened 15-minute private meetings through its MatchMaker service, anchored by an annual flagship Demo Day & Science Fair now in its 11th year.

The underlying platform is non-proprietary: the council operates a Member Portal, Member Library with 500+ keyword-searchable startup decks (referenced as "1000s" in some materials), and a Member Lounge for virtual networking, all built on third-party event infrastructure (Cvent). Its technology moat is curation and community rather than software. Revenue is generated from four primary streams: undisclosed annual corporate membership dues from vetted members (Ford, NVIDIA, Bosch, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Goodyear, Elektrobit, dSPACE, Kanematsu, and others), pay-per-event registrations ($200 for Innovation Reviews, $40-50 for Science Fair expo passes), MatchMaker service fees ($995 for non-members; included free for members), and a tiered sponsorship menu ranging from $5K branding sponsorships to $30K custom events. Strategic partnerships with SRI International, UK Department for International Trade, Propulsion Québec, Cleantech Council, Telecom Council, LG NOVA, COVESA, and Business France extend programming into adjacent mobility verticals and international markets.

Name

Autotech Council

Legal name

Autotech Council

Website

https://autotechcouncil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Autotech Council is a Silicon Valley-based, membership-driven community organization founded in 2012 that curates introductions between automotive OEMs, Tier 1 vendors, mobility investors, and startups through monthly meetings, an annual Demo Day, and a MatchMaker service facilitating 250-300 private meetings per year.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunnyvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Corporations with demonstrated commitment to mobility innovation pay annual membership dues to access monthly meetings, the presentation library (1000s of startup decks), MatchMaker service, member portal, and networking community. Membership is restricted to companies demonstrating active startup partnership, investment, or tech scouting programs.
2. Meeting Registration Fees: Public meetings and Innovation Reviews charge registration fees. Examples include Big Battery Tech Innovation Review at $200, Science Fair expo passes at $20-50, and MatchMaker Service at $995 for non-members. Member registration to regular meetings is included with membership.
3. Sponsorship & Hosting: Topic/Meeting sponsorship starts at $10K with speaking opportunities and hosting options. Branding sponsorship from $5K for demo and networking opportunities. Annual events sponsorships from $5K. Custom meetings starting at $20K and custom events from $30K including webinars, demos, exhibits, and MatchMaker services.
4. Demo & Exhibit Fees: Companies pay to exhibit at Annual Demo Day & Science Fair. Options include regular tables, upgraded tables, parking lot demos, and startup packages with stage time. Exhibitors receive unlimited MatchMaker introductions included with their package.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Autotech Council operates a membership-based community that connects early-stage mobility and transportation startups with carmakers (OEMs), Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility investors. It curates monthly Startup Review Meetings, topical Innovation Review Meetings, an annual Demo Day & Science Fair, a MatchMaker one-on-one meeting service, and post-tradeshow debriefs to facilitate partnerships and deal flow across the global mobility ecosystem.

Product overview

Autotech Council is a membership-based community platform that connects mobility industry innovators with carmakers, Tier 1 vendors, and investors through monthly meetings and annual events. The core offering consists of Startup Review Meetings (multi-topic rapid-fire company pitches), Innovation Review Meetings (topic-focused sessions on AI, batteries, sensors, etc.), and an Annual Demo Day & Science Fair. The platform is supported by the MatchMaker Meeting Service (curated 1-on-1 introductions), Member Portal (startup discovery), Member Library (500+ startup presentations), and Member Lounge (virtual networking). Members also access Tradeshow Debriefs, Speaking Opportunities, and Demo/Exhibit options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Innovation in Motion: Registered trademark of the Autotech Council

Products and services

• Corporate Membership Annual subscription for automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility investors that grants access to all council meetings, the MatchMaker service, the member portal, library, lounge, and tradeshow debriefs.
• Startup Review Meetings Monthly meetings where vetted mobility startups pitch and receive feedback from executives of carmakers, Tier 1 vendors, and investors. Designed to surface deal flow and partnership opportunities.
• Innovation Review Meetings Topic-focused deep-dive meetings on emerging mobility themes (autonomy, electrification, AI, shared mobility, etc.) bringing together corporate members and selected startups.
• Annual Demo Day & Science Fair Yearly showcase where member companies and vetted startups exhibit technology demos to the broader council ecosystem, attracting attendance from investors, OEMs, and Tier 1s.
• MatchMaker Meeting Service Curated one-on-one introduction service that schedules targeted private meetings between member corporations and selected startups or partners based on stated technology or business needs.
• Tradeshow Debriefs Post-conference recap sessions that synthesize the key technologies, themes, and companies presented at major automotive/mobility tradeshows such as CES.
• Event Sponsorship Sponsorship packages (e.g., for the annual Demo Day & Science Fair and other events) that give companies visibility with the council's membership of OEMs, Tier 1s, startups, and investors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members meet 100+ new technology companies per year through introductions and meetings
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SRI InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2025SRI International hosts Autotech Council's Annual Demo Day & Science Fair. The 10th Annual Science Fair in 2025 was hosted by SRI International at their facility. The 11th Annual Demo Day & Science Fair in October 2026 will be hosted at the SRI/PARC Campus in Palo Alto, California.
• UK Department for International TradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bringing UK mobility companies to Silicon Valley through virtual trade missions. The tailored access provided to UK companies was described as one-of-a-kind by Rebecca Saletta, Vice Consul, Head of Automotive, West Coast.
• Propulsion QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Québec's smart and electric transportation ecosystem resulted in successful virtual trade mission connecting Québec companies with the California market. CEO Sarah Houde reported reinforced collaborations between the two innovation ecosystems.
• Cleantech CouncilmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint meetings on Battery Tech, EV Charging, and sustainable procurement. Cleantech Council invites Autotech Council membership to join innovation reviews on energy storage and charging solutions. Cross-promotion of meetings and shared member benefits.
• Telecom CouncilmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint debrief sessions after major tradeshows including Mobile World Congress Barcelona and MWC Las Vegas. Autotech Council members join Telecom Council sessions to discuss connectivity and wireless industry news affecting automotive.
• Avanta VenturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAvanta Ventures sponsors Spotlight Series meetings including sessions on City Mobility Management, Long Haul, Last Mile, and Transportation-as-a-Service. Hosts virtual meeting rooms for roundtable discussions on mobility innovation segments.
• Sensors ConvergemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutotech Council brings Startup Review format to Sensors Converge conference. Mini startup reviews on the show floor introduce automotive sensors startups to Autotech Council members and interested Sensors Converge attendees. Partnership includes free public registration to startup review sessions.
• ACT ExpomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutotech Council presents Startup Review on the Expo Hall Theater at ACT Expo, the largest fleet technology show. Session open to anyone registered for ACT Expo with member discount code 26AE-AUTOTECH for $100 off conference passes.
• COVESA (Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOVESA hosts networking reception and demonstration showcase at CES 2026 featuring 65+ showcases from connected vehicle ecosystem including MEDC-sponsored connected mobility pavilion, in-vehicle payment, EV charging, and autonomous vehicle demonstrations.
• Business FranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness France hosts Automotive Networking Reception at CES 2026 (Thursday, Jan 8, 5-7pm, West Hall Booth 4131) connecting Autotech companies from France who are exhibiting and taking meetings at CES.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cleantech Council: Sister council organization that co-hosts meetings with Autotech Council on Battery Tech, EV Charging, and sustainable procurement. Uses the same monthly-meeting, curated-introduction, and membership model for clean technology buyers and sellers.
• Telecom Council: Sister council organization that runs joint tradeshow debriefs with Autotech Council (Mobile World Congress, CES). Applies the same member-based introduction and MatchMaker-style format to the telecom ecosystem.

Others

• Business France: Government trade agency that partners with Autotech Council to host CES networking receptions for French mobility startups. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler that channels international mobility startups into U.S. buyer networks.

Broad incumbents

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Large Silicon Valley accelerator and corporate innovation platform running a dedicated Mobility & Automotive program. Comparable because it connects global OEMs (Toyota, Porsche, Daimler) with mobility startups via structured deal-making and demo days.
• COVESA (Connected Vehicle Systems Alliance): Alliance of automakers, suppliers, and tech companies collaborating on connected vehicle standards. Strategic partner of Autotech Council that hosts CES showcases; comparable as a membership-based automotive ecosystem convener.
• SAE International: Established global automotive professional association serving engineers, OEMs, and suppliers with events, standards, and networking. Comparable as a long-standing membership-driven community serving the automotive technology ecosystem.
• Informa Tech Automotive Group (TU-Automotive / AutoTech Detroit): Major B2B events organizer running flagship automotive technology conferences and expos. Comparable because it monetizes automotive innovation discovery through paid events and memberships rather than membership dues.

Emerging players

• Techstars Mobility (now Techstars Industries): Global accelerator with automotive and mobility cohorts connecting early-stage startups with corporate partners (Ford, BMW, Honda historically). Comparable because it curates startup-to-corporate deal flow in mobility.
• Actuate (formerly Autotech Ventures): Mobility-focused venture firm and community bridging startups with corporate strategic investors. Comparable because it curates deal flow between mobility startups and OEM/Tier 1 corporate venture arms.
• MobilityXlab: Corporate-backed mobility accelerator founded by CEVT, Ericsson, Polestar, Veoneer, Volvo Cars, and Zenseact. Comparable as a curated program matching mobility startups with large OEM and Tier 1 buyers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2853943
• Xx.com/autotechcouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autotech Council