IMPACT Connected Car
IMPACT Connected Car is an EU-funded (Horizon 2020) startup acceleration program under ISDI Accelerator that provides up to €60,000 in equity-free grants, mentoring, and corporate coaching to 60+ connected-vehicle startups across Europe and Israel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IMPACT Connected Car does
IMPACT Connected Car is a vertical-specific startup acceleration program operated under ISDI Accelerator (legal entity Internetsia S.L., headquartered in Madrid, Spain) and funded by a €2.1 million grant from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 INNOSUP Initiative (grant agreement No. 731343). The program targets early-to-growth-stage startups and SMEs developing technologies and services across six connected-vehicle verticals: Safety and Security, Driver Assistance, Well-being, Mobility Management, Vehicle Management, and Infotainment. Selected startups receive up to €60,000 in equity-free grant funding (not equity investment), six months of delocalized acceleration delivered remotely through the in-house AcceleraThor platform, a week-long Digital Bootcamp at ISDI Madrid, business coaching led by ISDI, technical coaching from European automotive clusters led by CTAG, and access to a 140+ mentor network.
The program's competitive positioning rests on its consortium structure, which combines ISDI's digital business school capabilities, FundingBox's open-call platform, Mobile World Capital Barcelona's event access, corporate coaching from Groupe PSA, Ferrovial Servicios, FIA Region I and Toyota Motor Europe, and FIWARE open-source technology integration. Across its three-year run the program received over 500 applications from 41 countries in its first open call, accelerated 60+ startups from 12 European countries and Israel across multiple batches of 14 startups each, and reported that portfolio companies subsequently raised €183 million in funding with a Net Promoter Score of 92.
The underlying business model is grant-funded program management rather than commercial SaaS or fee-for-service acceleration. Revenue mechanics depend on winning EU/public innovation grants (Horizon 2020 in this case) and corporate partnerships, with monetization occurring through management of the cohort program and showcase events (4YFN Barcelona, Autonomy Paris) rather than through equity, carry, or subscription fees from startups. The program was awarded European Commission Project of the Year 2019 and ISDI Accelerator was ranked Top 5 Public Business Accelerator globally by UBI Global in 2019-2020, providing third-party validation that supports future grant applications.
IMPACT Connected Car firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IMPACT Connected Car
- Legal name
- Internetsia S.L.
- Website
- https://impact-accelerator.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- IMPACT Connected Car is an EU-funded (Horizon 2020) startup acceleration program under ISDI Accelerator that provides up to €60,000 in equity-free grants, mentoring, and corporate coaching to 60+ connected-vehicle startups across Europe and Israel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IMPACT Connected Car industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Acceleration Services
- NAICS
- Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Driver Behavior Scoring & Coaching Platforms (TLAEANAB), EV Platform/Skateboard & Chassis Integration Manufacturing (IMACACAI)
Keywords
Where IMPACT Connected Car is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
IMPACT Connected Car business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- EU Grant Funding Distribution: IMPACT Connected Car distributes equity-free funding to selected startups and SMEs as part of a Horizon 2020 / INNOSUP funded project. Funding is awarded in stages upon completion of program milestones, not as investment in exchange for equity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Standard acceleration funding — up to €60,000 equity-free per selected startup |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
IMPACT Connected Car product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IMPACT Connected Car is a startup acceleration program that supports SMEs and early-stage companies developing connected vehicle, autonomous driving, and smart mobility technologies. Selected startups receive up to €60,000 in equity-free grants, structured business coaching led by ISDI, technical coaching from European automotive clusters, and introductions to corporate partners such as PSA Group, Ferrovial Servicios, and FIA. The program operates via open calls, a week-long Digital Bootcamp, and a six-month delocalized acceleration track delivered through the proprietary AcceleraThor management software.
Product overview
IMPACT Connected Car is a startup acceleration program (not a single product) focused on the connected vehicle and mobility sector. It operates through a structured 3-stage smartization program offering equity-free funding up to €60,000 per startup, combined with business coaching led by ISDI and technical coaching from European automotive clusters. The program covers six specialized verticals (Safety and Security, Driver Assistance, Well-being, Mobility Management, Vehicle Management, and Infotainment), and accelerates startups through Digital Bootcamps, mentoring networks, and corporate partnerships with major automotive brands. The program distributed €2.1 million in equity-free funding across 31 startups from 12 European countries and Israel, and received recognition as Project of the Year 2019 from the European Commission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IMPACT Connected Car: Acceleration program focused on connected vehicles, driverless transportation, connected cars, and innovative experiments in the automobile industry.
- IMPACT Growth
- IMPACT RobotUnion
- UNICEF Lab
- Toyota Startup Awards
Products and services
- IMPACT Connected Car Acceleration Program A six-month delocalized acceleration program for SMEs and startups developing connected vehicle, autonomous driving, and smart mobility solutions. Selected participants receive up to €60,000 in equity-free funding, business coaching from ISDI, technical coaching from European automotive clusters, and introductions to corporate partners such as PSA Group, Ferrovial Servicios, and FIA.
- Digital Bootcamp Week-long intensive onboarding event for startups accepted into the IMPACT Connected Car program, featuring expert workshops, mentor matching, product demos, and networking with corporate partners.
- Pioneer Awards Recognition program awarding the most promising startup from each acceleration batch with a €15,000 prize and the opportunity to participate in major mobility events such as Autonomy Paris.
Quantifiable outcome
- €2.1 million in equity-free funding distributed across 60+ startups over three years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use IMPACT Connected Car
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
IMPACT Connected Car technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature2 records
IMPACT Connected Car partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Toyota Motor EuropecoreToyota Motor Europe partnered with ISDI Accelerator to launch the Toyota Startup Awards, targeting inclusive mobility startups. Eight startups were invited to exhibit at 4YFN Barcelona 2020, with winners receiving fast-track entry to the Toyota Accelerator Program powered by ISDI Accelerator.
- Kotra (Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency)minorKotra, the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, partnered with ISDI Accelerator to launch its first softlanding program in Spain, helping Korean tech startups (DoubleMe, Dtonic, 12CM) enter the Spanish and European market.
- 4YFN (4 Years From Now)core4YFN is the startup business platform of Mobile World Capital Barcelona that enables startups, investors, and corporations to connect. IMPACT Connected Car startups showcase at 4YFN events annually and participate in Demo Days.
- ISDIcoreISDI (Instituto Superior para el Desarrollo de Internet) is the digital business school leading the business coaching and acceleration program for IMPACT Connected Car. ISDI designs and delivers the high-performance training curriculum and provides access to its mentor network and digital ecosystem.
- FundingBoxcoreFundingBox serves as the coordinator of the IMPACT Connected Car program, managing the open call platform and community for startups and SMEs to join the program and win public EU funding.
- Mobile World Capital BarcelonacoreMWCapital connects IMPACT Connected Car startups to the best international events including 4YFN Barcelona, providing a platform for startups to showcase their solutions and network with investors and corporations.
- Groupe PSA (Peugeot Citroën)corePSA Group is one of the corporate partners providing coaching and mentorship to IMPACT Connected Car startups. As a major European automotive manufacturer, PSA Group offers industry expertise and potential pilot opportunities for connected car startups.
- Ferrovial ServicioscoreFerrovial Servicios is a corporate partner providing coaching and mentorship in the IMPACT Connected Car program, focusing on mobility and infrastructure aspects of connected vehicle solutions.
- FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)coreFIA Region I provides expertise on consumer protection, road safety, and mobility policy, supporting startups with insights from the automotive and mobility consumer perspective.
- FIWARE FoundationcoreFIWARE Foundation provides open-source technology integration support for IMPACT Connected Car startups, enabling them to leverage FIWARE's Cloud-based smart solutions platform for developing connected car applications.
- CTAG (Centro Tecnológico de Automoción de Galicia)coreCTAG serves as the lead technical coaching provider, offering automotive technology expertise and validation support to startups in the connected car and smart mobility space. Hosted the Disruptive Bootcamp for the first batch.
- HEVO PowerminorHEVO Power was a pioneer success case and partner of IMPACT Connected Car, having developed an innovative wireless charging solution for electric vehicles.
- Little Electric CarsminorLittle Electric Cars was a pioneer success case and partner of IMPACT Connected Car, being the first Spanish manufacturer of all-electric cars.
- BotcarminorBotcar was a pioneer success case and partner of IMPACT Connected Car, providing smart driving and monitoring solutions that allow traditional cars to be adapted into connected cars.
- Argus Cyber SecurityminorArgus was a pioneer success case and partner of IMPACT Connected Car, offering advanced cybersecurity systems to protect connected cars from hackers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
IMPACT Connected Car competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Elemental Excelerator: US-based impact accelerator with mobility, energy, and climate portfolios; less European overlap but functionally comparable in deploying non-dilutive capital against corporate and government pilots.
Direct peers
- Techstars: Techstars operates multiple mobility and automotive-themed accelerators with equity-for-funding models and global corporate partnerships, directly competing with IMPACT Connected Car for startups and corporate sponsors in the mobility space.
- Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global corporate accelerator with vertical programs and corporate-startup intermediation; competes with ISDI Accelerator for European corporate innovation budgets and startup deal flow.
- FundingBox: FundingBox is both a core partner of IMPACT Connected Car and itself an EU-grant-distributing platform running open calls and equity-free acceleration — a sibling/competitor entity in the same INNOSUP-style acceleration ecosystem.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play runs a flagship Connected Car / Mobility accelerator program that pairs startups with OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers for pilots — the most direct functional comparator to IMPACT Connected Car's vertical-specialist, corporate-sponsored model.
- Startupbootcamp Mobility: Startupbootcamp runs a dedicated Smart Transportation & Mobility accelerator offering mentorship, office space, and seed funding — comparable vertical focus, European footprint, and corporate-partner-driven GTM to IMPACT Connected Car.
- EIT Urban Mobility: EU-backed mobility accelerator and innovation hub funded through EIT / Horizon Europe that runs acceleration programs across European cities — directly comparable as a publicly-funded, EU-grant-driven mobility accelerator.
- DRIVE TLV: Israel-based mobility and smart transportation accelerator with deep auto industry ties; competes with IMPACT Connected Car for the same Israeli and European connected-car startup pool referenced in IMPACT's country mix.
Others
- ISDI (parent context): ISDI is the operating parent of IMPACT Connected Car and itself runs digital business school and accelerator programs — adjacent enabling context but not a true peer.
Broad incumbents
- MassChallenge: Global non-equity accelerator with a mobility vertical that draws top startups and corporate partners; competes with IMPACT Connected Car for global mobility deal flow and recognition in accelerator rankings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IMPACT Connected Car social profiles
Digital presenceIMPACT Connected Car financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IMPACT Connected Car leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
IMPACT Connected Car funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IMPACT Connected Car M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IMPACT Connected Car
What does IMPACT Connected Car do?
IMPACT Connected Car is a startup acceleration program that supports SMEs and early-stage companies developing connected vehicle, autonomous driving, and smart mobility technologies. Selected startups receive up to €60,000 in equity-free grants, structured business coaching led by ISDI, technical coaching from European automotive clusters, and introductions to corporate partners such as PSA Group, Ferrovial Servicios, and FIA. The program operates via open calls, a week-long Digital Bootcamp, and a six-month delocalized acceleration track delivered through the proprietary AcceleraThor management software.
Is IMPACT Connected Car a public or private company?
IMPACT Connected Car is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was IMPACT Connected Car founded?
IMPACT Connected Car was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is IMPACT Connected Car based?
IMPACT Connected Car is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does IMPACT Connected Car make money?
One revenue line is on record: EU Grant Funding Distribution.
Who are IMPACT Connected Car's main competitors?
Elemental Excelerator is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Techstars, Wayra (Telefónica), FundingBox, Plug and Play Tech Center, Startupbootcamp Mobility, EIT Urban Mobility and DRIVE TLV. ISDI (parent context) is listed as an others. MassChallenge is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does IMPACT Connected Car have an API?
No public API is recorded for IMPACT Connected Car.
What industry is IMPACT Connected Car in?
IMPACT Connected Car's product category is Startup Acceleration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs, with a secondary code of TLAEANAB, Driver Behavior Scoring & Coaching Platforms. Its NAICS code is 525.