Future of Operations & Maintenance 2024

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Mitarbeiter bei Oberleitungsarbeiten
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We are excited to run the Future of Operations & Maintenance (FOM) program again in 2024 together with our strong partners DB NetzDB Fernverkehr and DB Station & Service.

This 100 day signature program gives startups the chance to customize and live-test their solutions to real challenges that DB is facing. What is in it for you?​

  • Exclusive access to DB experts, data and markets
  • EUR 25,000 funding, no equity taken
  • Exclusive access to a network of selected coaching and mentoring experts​

​You will be supported by a dedicated DB mindbox startup manager and will have 24/7 access to our coworking space.​

This is a great opportunity to lay the foundation for joint projects and successful long-term collaboration with Deutsche Bahn Group, Europe’s largest mobility and infrastructure provider.​

Questions? Check out our FAQs.

01 – Mobile service facilities

DB Netz operates many remote service facilities that currently could benefit from mobile technologies to improve working conditions, increase time efficiency and reduce long term costs.

Do you have an innovate hardware solution that can help us and our partners at DB Netz to reach these goals and upgrade a crucial part of our infrastructure?

Mitarbeiter bei Oberleitungsarbeiten
Zug bei Einfahrt in Bahnhof
Elektro-Stecker

02 – Improved information technologies

We are looking for innovative and cutting-edge solutions to improve our information technologies. Together with DB Netz and DB Fernverkehr we want to help our employees manage the day-to-day operations by equipping them with tools that make it possible to better create, access and understand information.

Show us what you can offer!

Bau-Einsatzbesprechung - DB Bahnbau
Person in Leitstelle

03 – Inspection of concrete railway sleepers

Regular inspection of our infrastructure is crucial for a well functioning rail network, but with over 33.000 km these processes require a lot of time and human resources. One of these processes is the inspection of concrete rail sleepers, where workers visually check every sleeper for crack formations. Thus, a highly manual process might benefit significantly from the incorporation of complementary state-of-the-art technology.

With our partners at DB Netz we are looking for your smart solutions to automate this process and increase the efficiency of the inspection.

Betonschwellen
Gleismesszug der DB Netz Instandhaltung mit einer Lok der Baureihe 182 auf Tour
Baubesprechung

04 – Novel facility maintenance

Processes to clean and maintain certain parts of our railway stations are often labor intensive and therefore require a lot of time and resources.

Together with our partner DB Station & Service we‘re a looking for new, innovative ways to clean and inspect our railway stations. The goal is to introduce new tools and systems to improve the cleanliness of our train stations.

Rinne im Boden
Mitarbeitende auf der Baustelle
Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Mitarbeiter bei der Güterwagenaufarbeitung

05 – Advanced train station security

With ever growing passenger numbers the need for advanced facility management tools and methods arise. Together with DB Station & Service we are searching for new digital and flexible solutions to improve our railway stations and safety standards.

DB Sicherheit Mitarbeitende
DB Sicherheit - Brandwache

Timeline

03. Dec. 2023 – Application deadline


Last day to apply for the program (eod).

22. Dec. 2023 – Announcement of candidates


Invitation of selected teams.

29. Jan. 2024 – Selection day


Pitch your solution live on stage to a expert jury and audience in Frankfurt am Main.

19. Feb. 2024 – Start of program


Start of the 100-day Proof-of-Concept (PoC) to develop and test a prototype in cooperation with DB.

28. May. 2024 – End of program


End of 100-day Proof-of-Concept and presentation of results in May 2024.