TrenLab Renfe

Renfe is the main passenger and freight rail transport company in Spain. As a pioneer in innovation, Renfe created in 2018 the open innovation programme TrenLab, with the aim of revolutionizing the mobility sector by developing disruptive and innovative solutions. TrenLab seeks to implement innovative solutions to improve the company’s operational processes, enhance the customer experience and promote sustainability initiatives through digital transformation. The participating startups tap into a wide range of opportunities to grow their businesses: to start with, they receive 50,000 euros to develop their pilots in close collaboration with Renfe’s experts. They also benefit from acceleration services such as ad-hoc mentoring, workshops and masterclasses on several business fields, access to ecosystem events and networking opportunities; as well as office space. At the end of the programme, they are eligible for a contract worth 1M euros with Renfe. Since 2018 TrenLab delivered five cohorts, received over 1,100 applications out of which 22 high-growth startups joined the programme. Renfe’s commitment to innovation is reflected on the 2.3M euros invested in pilots with startups and more than 4.7M euros spent in contracts after the startups’ successful performance throughout the programme. We are proud of having accelerated high-growth startups with 91% success rate that contribute positively to the Spanish economy by creating over 325 jobs and by capturing external investment worth 22M euros overall.