DRIVE TLV
DRIVE TLV is a Tel Aviv-based innovation hub, founded 2017, that connects smart mobility startups with global corporate partners (OEMs, Tier 1s, mobility players) through its FastLane program, coworking space, and sister VC Next Gear Ventures.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersTel Aviv, Israel
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DRIVE TLV does
DRIVE TLV is an Israel-based innovation hub, founded in 2017 in Tel Aviv, that connects early- and mid-stage smart mobility startups with global mobility corporations seeking external innovation. The company operates as a two-sided marketplace across verticals including electrification, connected and autonomous vehicles, drone aviation, smart cities, insurance, logistics, semiconductors, and communication. Its core product offering centers on the FastLane program, which matches startups with global OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility players (Honda, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group, Hyundai, GM, Hertz, NXP, Novelis, Ituran, Goodyear, Afifi, Mayer) to expedite commercialization. Adjacent offerings include a dedicated coworking space, a 'Drive Shift' content/blog platform, an alumni job board at jobs.drivetlv.com, and Next Gear Ventures — a sister VC fund providing early-stage investment into portfolio startups.
The underlying technology is best described as a relationship and program management platform rather than a software product: the hub's 'proprietary features' (FastLane, Next Gear Ventures, Coworking Space) are integration and ecosystem mechanisms with no disclosed APIs, SDKs, or proprietary algorithms. GTM is predominantly channel-partner driven: the BD team engages global corporates directly while running cohort-based startup selection, with corporate partnership announcements and thought-leadership content (LinkedIn, Instagram, newsletter) supporting top-of-funnel awareness.
The revenue model is hybrid and not publicly disclosed. The company monetizes through professional services for startup acceleration, facilitation fees/sponsorship from corporate partners, and equity participation through Next Gear Ventures. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and no funding rounds, revenue figures, or valuation data are available in the input. DRIVE TLV is privately held (legal entity: Future Smart Mobility Center Ltd.) with no parent company and no IPO trajectory indicated.
DRIVE TLV firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DRIVE TLV
- Legal name
- Future Smart Mobility Center Ltd.
- Website
- https://drivetlv.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DRIVE TLV is a Tel Aviv-based innovation hub, founded 2017, that connects smart mobility startups with global corporate partners (OEMs, Tier 1s, mobility players) through its FastLane program, coworking space, and sister VC Next Gear Ventures.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where DRIVE TLV is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tel Aviv
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
DRIVE TLV business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Startup Acceleration Services: Drive TLV provides startups with strategic guidance, mentorship, and connections to global corporations to help them commercialize their technologies. Revenue appears to be generated through facilitating partnerships and investments rather than direct fees.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
DRIVE TLV product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DRIVE TLV is a smart mobility innovation hub based in Tel Aviv that connects early- and mid-stage mobility startups with global corporations (OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility players) to facilitate partnerships, pilots, and commercialization. It operates the FastLane program for corporate-startup collaborations, runs Next Gear Ventures as its sister VC fund providing early-stage investment, and maintains a dedicated coworking space for mobility entrepreneurs.
Product overview
DRIVE TLV operates as an innovation hub focused on sustainable, smart mobility, offering a multi-component platform consisting of the core Innovation Hub (connecting corporations with startups), the FastLane program for expedited commercialization with global mobility players, Next Gear Ventures (sister VC fund for early-stage investment), a dedicated coworking space, a knowledge/blog platform, and a job board for alumni companies. The ecosystem spans verticals including electrification, autonomous driving, drones, aviation, smart cities, insurance, logistics, and semiconductors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FastLane: Program for startups to collaborate with global companies and expedite commercialization with major corporations, OEMs, and Tier 1 mobility players.
- Next Gear Ventures
Products and services
- DRIVE TLV Innovation Hub An innovation hub focused on sustainable, smart mobility that brings together corporations and startups to create meaningful collaborations and market-ready solutions. Targeted at early- to mid-stage mobility startups and global corporate partners.
- FastLane Program A program enabling startups to collaborate with major corporations, OEMs, Tier 1s, and leading mobility players to expedite the commercialization of their technologies. Designed for mobility startups seeking enterprise customers.
- Next Gear Ventures
Companies that use DRIVE TLV
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DRIVE TLV technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DRIVE TLV partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- NXP SemiconductorscoreCollaboration to accelerate technological advancements in Autonomous Driving, Radar Systems, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and AI-enabled automotive use cases. Drive TLV facilitates connections between NXP and startups with relevant capabilities.
- EIT Urban MobilitycoreFirst-time partnership between Drive TLV, Next Gear Ventures, and EIT Urban Mobility (European Institute of Innovation and Technology). Creates bridge between European and Israeli mobility ecosystems, expanding access to markets, investors, and startups.
- Next Gear VenturescoreSister VC of Drive TLV that actively invests in state-of-the-art mobility solutions, ensuring high-potential startups receive resources to scale. Part of the de-risk model that puts relationships and traction first.
- HondamajorGlobal automotive OEM partner accessing Israeli mobility innovation through Drive TLV ecosystem
- Volvo CarsmajorGlobal automotive OEM partner in Drive TLV ecosystem seeking mobility innovations
- HyundaimajorGlobal automotive OEM partner accessing mobility technology innovations through Drive TLV
- General MotorsmajorGlobal automotive OEM partner in the Drive TLV innovation ecosystem
- Volvo GroupmajorCommercial vehicles and mobility partner within Drive TLV ecosystem
- HertzmajorRental and mobility services partner accessing Drive TLV innovations
- NovelisminorMaterials partner for mobility innovation ecosystem
- IturanminorLocation-based services partner in mobility ecosystem
- AfifiminorInsurance partner in Drive TLV mobility ecosystem
- GoodyearminorTire and mobility solutions partner
- MayerminorMobility industry partner
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DRIVE TLV competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform with dedicated Mobility and Smart Cities verticals that matches startups with corporate partners (OEMs, Tier 1s). Closest direct competitor to DRIVE TLV's corporate-startup matchmaking model, with a much larger global footprint.
- Startup Autobahn: Stuttgart-based startup platform backed by Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, and others, focused exclusively on mobility and automotive. Directly comparable to DRIVE TLV's FastLane program in structure and corporate sponsor mix.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network with mobility-focused programs (e.g., Techstars Mobility) offering mentorship and corporate connections to early-stage startups. Closely mirrors DRIVE TLV's startup acceleration service combined with corporate partner access.
- BMW Startup Garage: BMW Group's in-house startup engagement program that scouts mobility startups and runs pilots with them. Operates the same corporate-startup matchmaking model as DRIVE TLV, though as a captive OEM initiative rather than an independent hub.
- Porsche Ventures: Corporate venture arm of Porsche investing in mobility, automotive tech, and sustainability startups. Comparable to Next Gear Ventures as a corporate-affiliated investment vehicle, with similar focus areas to DRIVE TLV's verticals.
- Toyota Ventures: Toyota's early-stage venture fund investing in autonomous mobility, robotics, AI, and sustainability — overlapping materially with DRIVE TLV's portfolio themes and corporate-startup bridging model.
- URBAN-X by MINI: Accelerator focused on urban mobility and city solutions, backed by MINI/BMW. Operates a similar cohort-based startup program targeting smart mobility startups with corporate mentorship.
- Highway1 (Plug and Play Mobility): Mobility-focused accelerator program now under Plug and Play, providing mentorship and corporate introductions to transportation startups. Directly overlaps with DRIVE TLV's FastLane program structure.
Broad incumbents
- Honda Innovations (Honda Xcelerator): Honda's open-innovation arm and a current DRIVE TLV corporate partner; provides in-house startup engagement and pilot programs. Comparable as a corporate-startup bridging channel but operating as a captive OEM program.
Emerging players
- Innovation Endeavors: Deep-tech venture firm with notable mobility and autonomy investments, founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Operates an ecosystem-and-investment model similar to DRIVE TLV/NGV but at larger fund scale and broader sector scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DRIVE TLV social profiles
Digital presenceDRIVE TLV financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DRIVE TLV leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DRIVE TLV funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DRIVE TLV M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DRIVE TLV
What does DRIVE TLV do?
DRIVE TLV is a smart mobility innovation hub based in Tel Aviv that connects early- and mid-stage mobility startups with global corporations (OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility players) to facilitate partnerships, pilots, and commercialization. It operates the FastLane program for corporate-startup collaborations, runs Next Gear Ventures as its sister VC fund providing early-stage investment, and maintains a dedicated coworking space for mobility entrepreneurs.
Is DRIVE TLV a public or private company?
DRIVE TLV is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DRIVE TLV founded?
DRIVE TLV was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DRIVE TLV based?
DRIVE TLV is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, in the Middle East region.
How does DRIVE TLV make money?
One revenue line is on record: startup Acceleration Services.
Who are DRIVE TLV's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Plug and Play Tech Center, Startup Autobahn, Techstars, BMW Startup Garage, Porsche Ventures, Toyota Ventures, URBAN-X by MINI and Highway1 (Plug and Play Mobility). Honda Innovations (Honda Xcelerator) is listed as a broad incumbent. Innovation Endeavors is listed as an emerging player.
Does DRIVE TLV have an API?
No public API is recorded for DRIVE TLV.