We accept applications from established startups or founder teams.

Eligible startups must be located in the following regions: European Economic Area, Switzerland, UK, Middle East, China.

We are not exclusively seeking fully orchestrated solutions; we welcome unique components that can drive innovation within the search fields. Whether it's a groundbreaking technology or a complete end-to-end experience, we are looking for contributions that will help us redefine luxury wellbeing on the road, including:

• Applications: Enhancing driver experiences, infotainment, route planning, community building etc. that elevate the journey for drivers and passengers
• Enabling technologies: Including AI, AR, MR, and multi-sensory orchestration solutions that push the boundaries of automotive innovation and personalization
• Wellness, health and aftermarket devices: Innovations that promote health, relaxation, and overall wellbeing for drivers and passengers
• Novel materials: Solutions that offer exclusive, high-end enhancements and comfort.

The Startup Challenge follows a dynamic two-stage approach to identify the startup partners for next-generation wellbeing experiences within and around the vehicle:

Stage 1: Submit the application form on the website, along with an extended idea/pitch deck by September 20th, 2024* to startupchallenge@porsche.digital. The deck should provide a detailed overview of the proposal, highlighting the innovation and its potential impact, and include images, technical details, and other supporting materials. Additionally, it must contain company information such as details about the founding team, technology, financing rounds, and traction to date.

Be prepared for potential queries from the Porsche Digital Startup Challenge team after submission. Your application will be thoroughly screened by our team, in collaboration with selected Porsche business units from pre-development and customer resorts that evaluate the applications. The top-scoring startups will then advance to Stage 2.

Stage 2: Join the Virtual Pitch session, where you'll have the opportunity to present your solution and engage in a Q&A with Porsche's innovation leaders of the business units partners.

The winners of the Startup Challenge will be determined by their performance in the virtual pitch session, the quality of the Q&A and the overall innovation relevance for Porsche.

The winners of the Startup Challenge will participate in an on-site use case workshop with select Porsche business units and innovation leaders in Germany in Q4 2024. Though not a formal proof of concept (PoC), this workshop will feature in-depth discussions that could pave the way for a PoC initiative or commercial collaboration.
During the use case workshop, the winners have the opportunity to showcase their solutions to Porsche innovation leaders, highlighting unique features, benefits, and potential automotive applications. They will engage in collaborative brainstorming sessions to identify potential use cases for their technology within Porsche’s products and services. In-depth technical discussions will be held to explore the feasibility of integrating their solutions into Porsche’s existing systems. Startups will also receive constructive feedback from Porsche business units and innovation leaders, providing valuable insights on optimizing their solutions. Additionally, there will be ample networking opportunities with key stakeholders within Porsche.

After submitting your application, you will receive an intake confirmation email from us.

By October 1st, 2024 (23:59 CET), you will be notified if you have qualified for the Virtual Pitch Day. An update on the application status will be provided to all participants, whether they advance or not.

The assessment process is staged, with specific criteria for each phase. The following evaluation criteria are key factors for us:
Stage 1 Evaluation Criteria:

• Accuracy: Completeness and correctness of materials
• Readiness: Product development stage and market preparedness
• Innovativeness: Originality, creativity, and "blue space" opportunities
• Technology: Integration of cutting-edge tech and competitive advantage
• Wellbeing: Impact on human comfort, happiness, and holistic wellbeing
• Feasibility: Compatibility with Porsche’s environment and ease of implementation

Stage 2 Evaluation Criteria:

• Pitch: Presentation quality, time management, and next steps
• Q&A: Clarity, depth, and effectiveness in addressing concerns
• Relevance: Alignment with Porsche’s strategic priorities and innovation goals

Reach out to startupchallenge@porsche.digital for more information.