Deutsche Bahn

DB mindbox

Berlin, Germany

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About Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn is Germany's national railway operator, headquartered in Berlin, running passenger and freight transport across the country.

How Deutsche Bahn works with startups

DB mindbox is Deutsche Bahn's startup hub, based at Berlin's Jannowitzbrücke station and running since 2015. Its core offering is a 100-day programme in which startups test their technology on real DB data and infrastructure, with guided access to DB experts and decision-makers. Since launch it has run more than 250 startup projects out of over 5,000 applications, with about 60% leading to a follow-up cooperation. Its open calls are typically non-equity: EUR 25,000 with no equity taken, Berlin office space, mentorship.

Source: dbmindbox.com

Reported program details

Since 2015
250+ startup projects
Typically non equity
100 day programme

Reported figures and terms may describe an earlier period. Confirm current availability with the team.

Collaboration process

Apply within call window
Candidates announced
Pitch at Selection Day
100-day pilot with DB experts

Source: dbmindbox.com

Areas of interest

AI & Data
Computer Vision
IoT & Sensors
Robotics
Predictive Maintenance
Geospatial & Positioning
Connectivity
Digital Twins/BIM
Smart Mobility
Others (Climate & Energy Tech, Construction Tech, Cybersecurity, HR Tech)

Open calls

Current Calls:

Check current availability ↗

Selected startup collaborations

sma dev

DB Leverages AI: How the Innovation Project DB ECHO Helps Reduce Disruptions in Germany’s Rail Network

https://sma-dev.de/cases/innovationsprojekt-db-echo-ki-im-einsatz-in-den-bereichen-logistik-und-verkehr/

LiveEO

Satellite imagery + ML for vegetation management and storm-risk detection along the rail network

https://www.live-eo.com/case-study/safe-railways-healthy-forests-with-deutsche-bahn

amberSearch

GenAI for DB Regio customer service: retrieve relevant internal knowledge and help generate responses to customer inquiries.

https://amber.de/en/db-mindbox/

Senf

BIM-based citizen participation for infrastructure projects. Developed through the DB mindbox challenge, then piloted by DB on the Anckelmannsplatz–Rothenburgsort rail expansion in Hamburg. Senf reports 1,000+ participants

https://www.senf.app/de/industries/bim

These are selected publicly described collaborations, not a complete procurement record or a measure of spending.

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