YMN Impact Challenge 2027
Real problems.
Young teams.
The UITP stage.
Ten interdisciplinary teams work for five months on challenges from transport operators, cities and mobility companies. The best five pitch live at the UITP Summit 2027 in Hamburg. Choose how you take part.
Final live at the UITP Summit 2027, Hamburg
Let the next generation
solve your problems.
Bring in your real challenges — ten interdisciplinary teams of young talent from the mobility industry work on a solution for months. Fresh thinking, real prototypes, zero risk for you. Final at the UITP Summit 2027.
Final live at the UITP Summit 2027, Hamburg
In 2 minutes, non-binding.
Two short questions — that's all it takes. We'll come back to you with the next steps and an invitation to a digital info session.
- 01Your company / organisation
- 02What problem should the teams solve?
- You have a challenge that needs fresh ideas?
- Not sure? We'll help sharpen your pain point together.
- After that, you decide in your own time.
- Present your challenge in Hamburg in 2027!
- Applications open until 15.10.
A real problem.
Freshly solved.
What is a pain point?
A pain point is a real, unsolved challenge from your working day — strategic, operational or technical. You bring it in, and a team of young talent turns it into their project over several months. You get a fresh perspective, concrete prototypes, and access to exactly the minds who will shape the industry of tomorrow.
You sketch your pain point — rough is fine. We sharpen it together.
A team picks your pain point and turns it into their challenge project.
Design thinking, prototyping & coaching — you're there as mentoring partner.
Results pitch — the top 5 live at the UITP Summit 2027 in Hamburg.
topicat the Summit
Who is this for?
From global group to city authority
If you're moving something in mobility and you have a real challenge, you fit — regardless of size or sector.
Transport associations, corporate groups and OEMs looking for a fresh view on entrenched questions, and wanting to meet young talent.
Growth companies in mobility who want reach, recruiting access and additional thinking power for their roadmap.
Cities, authorities and municipal operators who want to improve citizens' mobility and involve the next generation.
This is what it looked like up close
From the first idea sketch to the final at the UITP Summit — moments from the 2025 premiere.
What came out of 2025
Real pain points.
Real projects.
Three of the challenges our teams worked on at the UITP Summit 2025:
Facilitating PTOs in planning mixed-fleet operations — how autonomous and conventional fleets can be planned together.
Autonomous mobilityHow to market sustainable mobility offers so that people actually use them.
SustainabilityRide hailing for vulnerable minorities — safe, inclusive ride services for groups in particular need of protection.
Inclusion»With our team we were able to develop a concept for successful marketing strategies in mobility. It was especially exciting to look at international markets and approaches and to present our findings at the Summit. The support from YMN was great too, with input on design thinking and experienced mentors. For 2027 I'm looking forward to working directly on companies' concrete challenges and achieving even more impact.«
Partners of the premiere
In 2027 we're doubling to 10 teams — and there's room for your brand right at the front.
»Mobility needs new perspectives, good ideas and people who are ready to take responsibility for the future. The Young Mobility Network brings young talent together and creates space for exchange and connection. Already at the UITP Summit 2025 the network showed the potential of the industry's next generation. All the more I'm looking forward to meeting again in 2027 and I'm very curious about the new ideas and impulses!«
Roadmap to Hamburg 2027
From the idea to the final
Your next step
After your application: 30 minutes online, we sharpen your pain point and clarify everything else. You'll get the appointment by email.
- Until 15.10.2026Non-binding applicationAnswer 3 questions — then a digital info call.
- Oct–Dec 2026Pain points & teamsFinalising the challenges, applications and selection of the 10 teams.
- Jan 2027Kickoff eventPartners pitch their pain points, teams form, challenges are chosen.
- Feb–Mar 2027Workshops & coachingDesign thinking, prototyping, business model, check-ins.
- Apr 2027Semi-final (online)10 → 5 teams, jury plus audience voting.
- Jun 2027Final & award ceremonyLive at the UITP Summit Hamburg.
The team behind
the challenge
Regional Hub Manager Hamburg sophie.grahl@young-mobility-network.com
Apply now and let the next generation solve your problems.
Apply, non-binding, until 15.10.2026Organiser
City Host
Patronage
Local Hosts
YMN Impact Challenge 2027 · For students and young professionals
Real mobility
problems. Your
team. The UITP
stage.
Join one of ten interdisciplinary teams, take on a real challenge brought in by a transport operator, city or mobility company — and work on it for five months with coaching and mentors. The best five teams pitch live at the UITP Summit 2027 in Hamburg.
Final live at the UITP Summit 2027, Hamburg
Why join
Not a case study.
A real problem someone needs solved.
Transport operators, cities and mobility companies bring challenges they haven’t solved yet. Your work lands on their desk — not in a drawer.
The top five teams present live in Hamburg in June 2027 — in front of the people who run public transport around the world.
Workshops on design thinking, prototyping and business models, regular check-ins, and experienced mentors from the industry at your side.
Work directly with partner companies, team up with peers from other disciplines and cities, and join a community with hubs from Berlin to London to India.
Who it’s for
You’re early in your career and want to move mobility forward.
Students and young professionals, with no age limit — from any discipline. Teams are deliberately mixed, because good mobility solutions need more than one perspective. No mobility background? Bring yours.
The facts
- Eligibility
- Students and young professionals. No age limit.
- Time commitment
- Jan–Jun 2027, about 3 hours per week
- Format
- Kickoff online, workshops online, final in Hamburg
- Language
- German, English, or both
- Costs & travel
- No participation fee. Travel to the final in Hamburg is not covered.
What teams worked on in 2025
Big questions.
Your answers.
In 2027, the challenges come straight from industry partners — and are revealed at the kickoff in January.
How can operators plan mixed fleets, where autonomous and conventional vehicles run side by side?
Autonomous mobilityHow do you market sustainable mobility so that people actually switch and use it?
SustainabilityWhat does a safe, inclusive ride service look like for groups that need particular protection?
InclusionYour route to Hamburg
Six stops.
One final.
No team and no fixed topic required. If you already have either, say so on the form. Otherwise the ten teams form at the kickoff, when partners pitch their pain points and you choose your challenge.
- Until 31.10.2026ApplyA short application. Tell us who you are and what you’d bring to a team.
- Oct–Dec 2026SelectionWe review applications, confirm participants and finalise the challenges with our partners.
- January 2027Kickoff, onlinePartners pitch their pain points, teams form, and each team picks its challenge.
- Feb–Mar 2027Workshops & coaching, onlineDesign thinking, prototyping, business modelling and regular check-ins with your mentor and partner.
- April 2027Semi-final (online)All ten teams pitch. A jury plus audience voting picks the five finalists.
- June 2027Final & awards at the UITP SummitLive on stage in Hamburg — in front of the global public transport community.
Questions you probably have
Before you apply.
Do I need a team to apply?
No. A team is not required, and neither is a fixed topic. If you already have one, note it on the form. Otherwise the ten teams form at the kickoff in January 2027 — mixed across disciplines and backgrounds.
Which challenges will there be?
The 2027 pain points are being finalised with partners from corporates, startups and the public sector between October and December 2026. They’re revealed at the kickoff.
Can I do this alongside my job or studies?
Yes. Plan on about 3 hours per week from January to June 2027. The kickoff and the workshops are online.
Do I need to be a YMN member?
No. The challenge is open to students and young professionals, with no age limit.
Who pays for travel to Hamburg?
You do. There is no participation fee, and travel to the final is not covered.
How are the finalists chosen?
At the online semi-final in April 2027, all ten teams pitch. A jury together with audience voting selects the five teams that go to Hamburg.
Your seat on the team starts here.
A few short questions — no CV, no cover letter. We’ll get back to you with next steps and an invite to a digital info session.
- 01Your name
- 02Where you are based — city / country
- 03Your background, experience and interests in mobility
- 04Student, young professional, both, or other
- 05What you are interested in
- 06German, English, or both
- 07Do you already have a topic?
- 08If yes, describe it — optional
- 09Do you already have a team?
- No team and no fixed topic required.
- No CV, no cover letter.
- Next step is a digital info session.
- The best five teams pitch in Hamburg in June 2027.
- Applications open until 31.10.
Questions? Talk to us.
The team behind
the challenge
The Impact Challenge is a cooperation between the Young Mobility Network and UITP.
Regional Hub Manager Hamburg, YMN sophie.grahl@young-mobility-network.com
Apply now and take a real problem to the UITP stage.
Apply as participant, until 31.10.2026Representing a company or city?