New boost for startups: Toyota Open Labs launches a second cohort to transform mobility and create a sustainable future.
- The Toyota Open Labs platform connects start-ups with business units across the Toyota group
- It is designed to help startups that are ready to scale up and contribute to a sustainable future
- A new programme has been launched covering 6 strategic categories, selected companies will develop Proof of Concepts and showcase the result at the Demo Day in September 2025.
Brussels, 25 October 2025 – Toyota Motor Europe and partners launched an open call Thursday for the second cohort of the Toyota Open Labs innovation platform. The initiative aims to connect startups with business units across the Toyota group and support their ambitions to scale up and contribute to a sustainable future.
This second programme will empower startups looking to scale their innovative solutions and contribute to a sustainable future. Selected companies will work with key Toyota business units on six strategic categories:
- EV (Electric Vehicle) Energy Ecosystem: Technologies and systems to facilitate energy transition, including grid balancing, energy management, smart charging, and vehicle-to-grid energy transfers.
- Hydrogen Ecosystem: Solutions supporting the development of a hydrogen economy.
- Carbon Capture and Reduction: Technologies to help reduce carbon emissions.
- Circular Economy: Systems for recovery, recycling and reuse of vehicles and components.
- Smart Communities: Solutions supporting vehicle sharing, subscriptions and mobility hubs.
- Mobility for All: Solutions to overcome mobility barriers and address ageing society needs.
Cross cutting each of these categories are critical themes that will amplify our efforts in these areas including AI, education and inclusivity.
Toyota Open Labs partners include Toyota Tsusho Europe, the trading and supply-chain arm of the Toyota group, KINTO Europe, the Toyota group’s mobility brand, Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth-stage venture fund, and Toyota Mobility Foundation, a non-profit foundation by Toyota.
To solve the challenges society is facing, we are transforming to more sustainable ways of managing energy as well as developing a truly circular business model. We can’t do this alone; we need the best minds and technologies out there to come and collaborate with us.
Selected startups will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse network of advisors and mentors, opening new avenues of growth. They will be able to enhance their business strategy and investment opportunities, make informed product improvements, and build relationships to help make a global impact.
Participants will develop a Proof of Concepts, explore market routes and partner with the Toyota ecosystem. Each will receive development support and a chance to showcase their technology at the 2025 Demo Day.
Thanks to a well-structured and unique process, Toyota Open Labs enables both the business unit and the startup to have clear expectations and deliverables, to achieve their respective goals and ideally catalyse a long-term collaboration and business relationship. I'm excited to work closely with Open Labs startups as we continue to shape the future of mobility together.
Applications for this cohort will run until the 20th of December, selected companies will be informed in February 2025, and we plan the Demo Day in September/October 2025.
For more information about the Toyota Open Labs platform and to apply for the programme, please visit toyotaopenlabs.com.
About Toyota Motor Europe:
Toyota Motor Europe oversees wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles in Europe. The company employs over 27,000 people and has invested more than €10 billion in Europe since 1990. For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com.
About Toyota Open Labs:
Toyota Open Labs is an open innovation platform that unites startups with business units across the Toyota ecosystem to scale innovation and lead the market into the next phase of mobility. The program aims to power Toyota's transformation to a mobility company by deepening its expertise across energy, the circular economy, carbon-neutral technologies, smart communities and mobility for all initiatives. Partner companies include Toyota Motor Europe, Toyota Tsusho Europe, KINTO Europe, Toyota Mobility Foundation, and Woven Capital. Learn more at toyotaopenlabs.com.