On the Road with ecopals: Innovation After the IRF 2025 Start-Up Label Win
Interview with Fabian Zitzmann, Managing Partner from ecopals.
Last 4 December, during the IRF 2025 Annual Conference, ecopals was named the winner for IRF Start-Up Label 2025. We caught up with them to talk about their work and how IRF is supporting their efforts to better the mobility and transport sectors.
To begin, could you briefly introduce ecopals?
ecopals develops technologies that reduce the dependence of road construction on fossil raw materials. Asphalt traditionally consists of aggregates and bitumen, a petroleum-based binder whose performance is enhanced through newly produced polymers. Both components are cost-intensive and associated with a significant carbon footprint. This is precisely where ecopals comes in. We process recycled plastics into a high-performance asphalt additive called EcoFlakes. In asphalt mixtures, EcoFlakes replace virgin polymers and simultaneously substitute a share of the bitumen, without compromising quality or durability. The result is longer-lasting roads, lower CO₂ emissions and reduced total lifecycle costs of infrastructure.
Our asphalt technologies were developed in close collaboration with leading German research institutions, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology and the University of Kassel. Today, EcoFlakes are used in more than 40 projects across seven countries, ranging from heavily trafficked motorways and logistics hubs to bus stops and municipal roads.
What problem is ecopals addressing?
Road construction is often perceived as a conservative industry, yet it is of critical importance. It shapes the carbon footprint of entire economies, consumes vast quantities of raw materials and is increasingly affected by rising costs. To date, the industry relies on newly produced polymers to enhance pavement performance. This approach is neither environmentally nor geopolitically sustainable. With EcoFlakes, we demonstrate that identical performance can be achieved using recycled plastics. In doing so, we address two challenges at once. We reduce the consumption of fossil resources while giving recycled plastics a new and valuable purpose. At the same time, we extend the service life of roads and lower maintenance and rehabilitation efforts. This makes road construction not only more climate-friendly, but also more economically efficient.
Where do you see ecopals in the coming years? What are you working on at the moment?
Our focus is on international scaling, building on Germany as our domestic market. Sustainability targets and rising cost pressure are not unique to Germany but shape road construction markets worldwide. Across regions, public authorities and private asset owners seek solutions that use materials more efficiently while improving the performance, resilience and service life of infrastructure. In the coming years, we aim to establish EcoFlakes as a globally recognised standard solution for polymer-modified asphalt based on recycled materials.
To achieve this at scale, we have deliberately built capabilities that go beyond a single product or application. While road construction remains our focus, we see significant untapped potential for environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials across a wider range of industries. To systematically unlock this potential, we rely on our in-house software to assess material formulations before physical production and testing. Our cloud-based virtual laboratory predicts rheological, structural-mechanical and physico-chemical properties, enabling data-driven decisions at an earlier stage and significantly shortening development cycles. This capability extends beyond road construction, as core material performance characteristics are decisive in many industrial applications.
What has been the most important lesson learnt from implementing your technology across different countries and project types?
One of the most important lessons has been that performance-based innovation travels better than purely regulatory-driven solutions. While standards, specifications and approval pathways differ significantly from country to country, the core challenges are remarkably similar: rising costs, limited resources and the need for durable infrastructure. Projects in different regions have shown us that once decision-makers see reliable performance data and real-world references, openness to recycled-material solutions increases rapidly. This has reinforced our focus on close collaboration with local partners as the foundation for successful international deployment.
What does IRF offer in terms of supporting and strengthening ecopals’ work?
The IRF represents a network that is unique within the road and infrastructure sector. Decision-making in this industry is strongly relationship-driven. Therefore, progress is often enabled through personal exchange rather than purely formal processes. The IRF brings together precisely those stakeholders, public authorities, operators and industry leaders, who shape infrastructure development globally, in a way that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
For ecopals, this network is highly valuable. Beyond the visibility created by sharing member news within and beyond the Federation, we are particularly looking forward to active exchange, informed feedback and learning from experienced practitioners. At the same time, the reputation of the IRF and the perspectives of its members provide important third-party validation, which supports trust-building and accelerates adoption when entering new markets.
Photo from ecopals
Ecopals Awarded the IRF Start-Up Label 2025 at the IRF Annual Conference
Ecopals, a German innovator in sustainable road construction materials, has been awarded the IRF Start-Up Label 2025, announced yesterday, 4 December, during the closing plenary of the IRF Annual Conference.
The recognition highlights Ecopals’ contribution to a more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible future for road infrastructure.
Born out of a university project and strengthened through scientific collaboration with institutions such as the Fraunhofer ICT and the University of Kassel, Ecopals has rapidly emerged as a leading voice in circular, climate-conscious road construction. The company transforms non-recyclable plastic waste into EcoFlakes, an asphalt additive that replaces virgin plastics and a portion of crude oil-based bitumen.
This approach not only upcycles waste but meaningfully reduces the carbon footprint of road construction by up to 30% while enhancing road durability.
EcoFlakes improve the performance of asphalt through greater resistance to rutting, extended service life, and reduced bitumen emissions, offering a compelling alternative for road authorities and contractors seeking sustainable materials without compromising quality or safety. Ecopals’ work with the Fraunhofer Institute ensures that the product meets the rigorous technical and legal standards required for road construction in Europe.
The IRF Start-Up Label, now in its 5th edition, reflects the International Road Federation’s commitment to advancing innovation across the global road sector. This year’s call for applications drew submissions from five continents, centred particularly on sustainability, efficiency and road safety.
The finalists from this year include Abley SafeCurves, Blue Eye Highway, Bitchem Asphalt Technologies Ltd., DataMobilize and Ernkate Limited.
Ecopals’ selection as an IRF Start-Up Label recipient reinforces the importance of sustainable materials in shaping the future of road construction and underscores how innovation can transform global challenges like plastic waste into practical, high-value infrastructure solutions.
Introducing the IRF Start-Up 2025 Finalists
We are pleased to announce the finalists for the IRF Start-Up Label 2025.
The 5th edition of the Start-up Label was launched in May to highlight the IRF’s commitment to innovation and its active engagement with the global start-up community.
Applications closed with submissions from five continents, focusing primarily on road safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Following a competitive selection process, six finalists have been shortlisted, with one outstanding start-up set to be proclaimed the winner of the IRF Start-up Label 2025 during the IRF 2025 Annual Conference.
Abley Limited - SafeCurves
https://abley.com/en-us/
Abley is a New Zealand-based consultancy specialising in transport planning, road safety, geospatial technology and location intelligence. Since 2003, we’ve partnered with governments and organizations across New Zealand, Australia, North America and Asia to deliver pragmatic, people-focused transport solutions. Guided by the Safe System approach, we develop strategies and infrastructure that enhance safety, access, and mobility. Our multidisciplinary expertise helps clients make data-driven decisions, reduce costs, and create more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive transport systems for current and future generations.
Blue Eye Highway
https://www.blue-eye-highway.com/
Blue Eye Highway is an award-winning road safety start-up developing the world’s first passive black ice detection road stud. Our patented system uses cryogel technology to provide a visual warning when roads are icy - no power, sensors, or connectivity required. Designed for retrofit, our device improves safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians while supporting climate resilience and smart infrastructure goals. With trials planned across the UK and Ireland, we are shaping the future of road safety infrastructure.
DataMobalize
https://datamobilize.net/
DataMobilize is a youth-led start-up based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. It is dedicated to improving road safety through digital innovation. Its flagship Road Safety Observatory - the first in Cameroon, available via a mobile app and website, enables real-time reporting of hazards, reliable data collection, and actionable insights to guide safer mobility policies. By placing young people at the heart of road safety solutions, DataMobilize fosters evidence-based decision-making and contributes directly to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
EcoPals GmbH
www.ecopals.de/en
We are Ecopals, a clean tech company transforming plastic waste into high-performance additives for road construction.Through our flagship solution, EcoFlakes, we help asphalt producers reduce reliance on virgin materials, cut production costs, and lower carbon emissions. Built on a circular value chain, we partner with recyclers and industry leaders to deliver scalable, locally adaptable solutions. With proven results on public and private roads, we are driving a more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient future for infrastructure.
Green Bitumen
https://bitchem.com/
BitChem Cold Mix DBM (Dense Bituminous Macadam) and BC (Bituminous Concrete) are sustainable bituminous layers developed by BitChem, a pioneer in green road technologies. Using its patented tailor-made cold mix, BitChem enables aggregate coating at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for heating. This cold mix technology supports the construction of base (DBM) and surface (BC) courses in flexible pavements, ideal for low to medium traffic corridors and green road initiatives, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional hot mix applications.
ErnKate LIMITED
https://www.ernkate.com/
Ernkate Limited, established in 2011 in Zambia, is an innovative ICT company dedicated to enhancing road safety. The organisation develops unique products such as vehicle speed monitoring, road condition alerts, and IoT solutions to reduce road traffic crashes and save lives. Its mission is to achieve zero road traffic incidents through reliable technology and proactive safety services. With a skilled team, Ernkate serves transport agencies, government bodies and the public, committed to making roads safer through innovative solutions.
By obtaining the IRF Startup Label, companies benefit from IRF’s official endorsement for one year. This will demonstrate credibility and earn sustainable trust with the company's stakeholders. The endorsement includes benefitting from IRF’s most valuable assets, which include knowledge, expertise, exposure and networking opportunities.
TDRI Solutions Wins 2024 Edition of the IRF Start-up Label
In a landmark announcement during the Gala Dinner on 16 October at the IRF World Congress 2024, held in Istanbul from 15 to 18 October, the International Road Federation (IRF) named TDRI Solutions as the winner of the fourth edition of the IRF Start-up Label. The award was presented to TDRI’s CEO, Damian Butters, by IRF President Dimitris Mandalozis, marking a significant achievement for this New Zealand-based start-up.
TDRI Solutions has quickly become a beacon of innovation in the transportation sector, offering groundbreaking solutions for road maintenance and infrastructure management. By leveraging advanced traffic data analytics and non-invasive moisture measurement technology, TDRI Solutions is transforming how governments and organisations enhance road safety and urban mobility. With a focus on moisture monitoring and data-driven insights, they are paving the way for safer, more resilient, and efficiently maintained road networks.
Now in its fourth iteration, the IRF Start-up Label continues to support and propel promising start-ups in the transportation sector. Launched by the IRF in 2021, this initiative aims to foster innovation and drive change in the transport industry. Winners of the label gain exclusive access to the IRF’s extensive resources for one year, including expert knowledge, networking opportunities, and increased visibility within the global transport community.
TDRI Solutions: The data you need to build resilient roads. A moisture digital twin for your network.
We spoke with Damian Butters, CEO of TDRI Solutions, to learn more about their innovative approach and future plans:
What problem is TDRI Solutions addressing, and how are you solving it?
"We're very excited to share our subsurface moisture measurement solution with the world. There are many great technologies out there for building better roads, but what lies beneath the surface is often overlooked. The current method for measuring moisture—digging a test pit—is impractical at scale. Our non-invasive, high-speed moisture measurement solution allows us to create complete digital twins of moisture in road networks. This is a key indicator of accelerated pavement failure and can be used to inform drainage maintenance and design, addressing the root cause of pavement issues."
What motivates the TDRI Solutions team to grow and scale rapidly?
"We see a tremendous opportunity globally. In New Zealand, we've had fantastic opportunities to validate our product with innovators, and now we’re eager to share it on a global scale where climate change makes moisture related issues including flooding and freeze/thaw cycles more impactful every year. What excites us most is not only improving pavement quality and infrastructure now but also creating something truly resilient for future generations."
Where do you see TDRI Solutions in the coming years?
"In the next few years, our focus is on expanding beyond New Zealand. We have a great opportunity in the USA currently, from there we’re excited to explore opportunities in Europe and beyond. What I’ve learned since entering the infrastructure industry is that it takes a global community to adopt and understand new technologies. The IRF and the Start-up Label programme provide the perfect platform to start these conversations and build an understanding of how to use digital moisture twins to their full potential."
How can the IRF help your business?
"Through the IRF, we have access to a network of industry leaders, government executives, and professionals with extensive experience. This enables us to share our solution and also receive invaluable feedback on how we can refine and best offer it to the world. It’s a tremendous opportunity to learn from those who deeply understand the industry."
Learn more: https://www.tdrisolutions.com/
Meet the Finalists of the IRF Start-up Label 2024 Edition
The International Road Federation (IRF) is excited to announce the three finalists for the 2024 IRF Start-up Label, who will present their innovative solutions at the IRF World Congress 2024, taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye from 15 to 18 October.
The IRF Start-up Label initiative, launched in 2021, is dedicated to supporting and promoting groundbreaking start-ups in the mobility sector. We look forward to seeing how these finalists will contribute to the future of transport systems and drive meaningful change in the industry.
Finalists of the IRF Start-up Label are selected through a rigorous evaluation process. Each application is meticulously reviewed by a panel of IRF experts, who assesses various factors including impact on key IRF areas, environmental and social implications, level of innovation, market traction, and the founders’ profiles.
Meet the finalists competing for the 2024 IRF Start-up Label:
TDRI Solutions
TDRI Solutions is a company dedicated to transforming road safety and infrastructure management through innovative digital solutions. They specialise in developing advanced traffic data analytics, intelligent transport systems, and smart city applications that help governments and organisations improve road safety, optimise traffic flow, and enhance urban mobility. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning, TDRI Solutions aims to create safer and more efficient road networks globally.
Numerico Technologies
Numerico Technologies is a leader in developing advanced solutions for intelligent transportation systems. By harnessing AI, machine learning, and data analytics, they provide innovative tools to improve traffic management, enhance road safety, and support smart city planning. Their technology aims to create more efficient, sustainable, and safer transport networks by enabling better decision-making for urban mobility and infrastructure development.
RoadVision AI
RoadVision AI leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to transform road safety and traffic management. Specialising in real-time road monitoring and predictive analytics, they offer solutions that detect hazards, optimise traffic flow, and support infrastructure maintenance. By providing actionable insights through AI-driven technologies, RoadVision AI aims to make roads safer and more efficient, contributing to the development of smart, resilient transportation systems.
IRF Unveils Winner of the 2023 Edition of the IRF Start-up Label
In a landmark announcement during the virtual IRF Annual Conference 2023 on 21-22 November, the International Road Federation (IRF) announced BANF as the winner of the third edition of the IRF Start-up Label. As a South Korean start-up, BANF has emerged as a beacon of innovation in the transportation sector, offering a groundbreaking solution to address tire-related issues and enhance fleet efficiency.
In its third iteration, the IRF Start-up Label continues to be a driving force in supporting and propelling prominent start-ups within the transportation sector. Launched by the IRF in 2021, this initiative is committed to providing a much-needed boost for innovation and change in the transport industry. The label grants winners exclusive access to the IRF's invaluable assets for a year, including unique knowledge and expertise, broad networking capabilities, and extensive exposure.
BANF: Revolutionising Road Safety and Enhancing Road Management
The BANF team shared with us more about their background and goals for the future, here are some key insights:
What is the problem BANF is trying to solve and how are you doing it?
Based on the most recent data from AAA, 44 million drivers had to fork over money last year for vehicle repairs after an unwelcome encounter with a pothole. Drivers across the nation fall victim to these asphalt atrocities, but some states present a bigger pothole problem than others.
CCTV and Lidar are currently employed for pothole detection, with a primary focus on assessing the location of the potholes. If a pothole is shallow, vehicles can traverse it without leading to significant accidents. Consequently, Road Managers utilse these technologies to detect numerous potholes along various routes. However, determining which potholes pose a greater risk or should be prioritised for repair remains a challenge. The BANF tire sensor, however, provides valuable information by accurately measuring the depth of potholes and determining the coefficient of friction as a mu(µ) value.
This capability allows real-time detection not only of pothole depths but also of critical situations such as black ice and asphalt overheating. As a result, the BANF tire sensor contributes significantly to road safety by enabling timely identification and response to potential hazards on the road.
What is motivating the BANF team to grow and scale rapidly?
Our company name, BANF, is actually an acronym for ‘Begin A New Future.’ If we call the seatbelt the first generation for vehicle safety, and the airbag the second, BANF wants to make the tire safety system the third generation. After 3 years, we want to expand to each major region (China, USA, and Europe) and achieve a 0.5% market share of the entire trucking market.
Where do you see BANF in the next years?
BANF is currently in the process of building and developing partnerships with companies and significant players in the automotive, autonomous vehicle and tire industries. BANF seeks to be a global leader in the Autonomous Truck Tire Monitoring System collaborating with international partnerships.
North America accounts for 50% of the global share of self-driving trucks. BANF is actively marketing in the US Market and looking for potential US-based partners to share its Autonomous Truck Tire Monitoring System with the world.
BANF's victory in securing the 2023 IRF Start-up Label marks a significant milestone in their journey to revolutionise road safety and fleet efficiency. The collaboration with the IRF is poised to amplify the impact of BANF's innovative solution, contributing to a safer and more efficient future for the transportation industry.
Learn more: https://www.banf.co.kr/
IRIS, Winner of the 2022 Edition of the IRF Start-up Label
After a thorough selection process that closed on 31st August 2021, the IRF announced during the its Annual Conference 2022 held in Marrakech on 6 October, the winner of the 2022 Edition of the IRF Start-up Label: IRIS
The IRF Start-up Label is an initiative launched by the International Road Federation (IRF) in 2021, with the objective of supporting the most prominent start-ups in the sector and give the transport sector that much-needed boost for innovation and change.
Awarded Start-ups will benefit from IRF’s most valuable assets for three consecutive years: unique knowledge and expertise, broad networking capabilities, and extensive data services.
We asked the IRIS team some questions about their product and team. Here is what they told us:
1. What problem is IRIS trying to solve, and how are you doing it?
Maintenance is critical to the safety and resilience of our infrastructure, yet most technology that gathers asset condition data is expensive or impractical at scale. Our award-winning solution enables infrastructure owners and operators to monitor concessions at a lower cost by using dash cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect events, hazards, and defects in real time. Roadway data is automatically collected by patrol fleets equipped with our AI dashcams and is uploaded to our proprietary data pipelines where it is processed into actionable insights and visualised to our client's existing systems, requirements, and specifications.
Additional benefits to the technology includes frequent reporting on industry standard pavement assessment indexes, right-of-way inventories and assessments and real time mobility data such as vehicle, ped and bike counts, all in one pass.
Solving the data gap in concessions and roads management is our focus and we have worked extremely hard in ensuring that our solutions drive bottom line impact and contribute to ESG aspirations of our clients and partners.
2. What is motivating the IRIS team to grow and scale rapidly?
The transport sector is responsible for a quarter of the world’s greenhouse emissions, 75% of which come from road transport. Increasingly, extreme heat and storms are putting roads, bridges, water systems and other infrastructure under stress. The Covid-19 pandemic added another dimension to these existing challenges and highlighted the need for sustainable, and practical technologies that help build better, more resilient infrastructure and proactively maintain existing assets to enhance quality and resilience.
This ongoing transformation, recovery and resiliency are fuelled by the “oil” of the 21st century, Data. IRIS is committed to delivering to policymakers, concessionaires, and infrastructure owners the data they need to prioritise infrastructure maintenance and investments intelligently, objectively, and sustainably - and the time to act is now.
What excites us here at IRIS is that the roads industry recognises the need for urgency and has embraced our technology as a part of a greater strategy to de-carbonise their operations, optimise their fleets, and proactively maintain their assets. IRIS is well poised to rapidly capitalise on this ongoing market shift towards automation, digitalisation, and long-term sustainability.
Tell us more about the IRIS team.
The IRIS team is composed of civil engineers, geospatial and computer scientists who are all passionate in ensuring that the infrastructure we invest in today will fit the needs of present and future generations.
Where do you see IRIS in 10 years?
IRIS is committed to take the roads, tunnels, and concessions industry towards the 21st century and beyond. In 10 years we see IRIS as the premier provider of smart cities' data encompassing government, infrastructure, transportation, utilities, natural resources, renewable energy, and other verticals. Moreover, we are capitalising on the global movement towards zero-emission vehicles by 2030 and are partnering with auto manufacturers to integrate IRIS’ technology into in-cabin camera systems of connected, autonomous and electrified vehicles to automatically collect critical pavement, right-of-way and infrastructure asset data through our proven shared revenue model.
Embedding IRIS’ technology into the connected vehicles of the future will enable unprecedented data collection at a massive scale – enabling real time roadway data queries and infrastructure assessments, eliminating entire patrol and inspection fleets and reducing carbon footprints of governments and concessionaires globally.
Together with the Global Infrastructure Hub, the International Road Federation, and our global partners, our mission is to improve the lives of people around the world who just like us depend on reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to move forward.
Meet the Finalists of the IRF Start-up Label 2022 Edition
Transforming mobility requires more than just technology and infrastructure. Transforming mobility requires innovation on all fronts: in the way we think, we plan, we design, and we deliver and manage transport systems.
The International Road Federation (IRF) believes that one way to boost that lack of innovation and needed change in the mobility sector is through start-ups. That is why, the IRF continues to support the most prominent start-ups in the sector through its initiative launched in 2021, the IRF Start-up Label. Awarded Start-ups will benefit from IRF’s most valuable assets for three consecutive years: unique knowledge and expertise, broad networking capabilities, and extensive data services.
The applications for the 2022 IRF Start-up Label closed on 31st August, the date after which they went through a thorough assessment process. Each application was examined by a pool of IRF experts in charge of delivering a global evaluation of the company. Some of the criteria taking into consideration is: impact on IRF’s key fields of action; environmental and social impacts; level of innovation and the company’s capacity to protect it; market traction, its viability and scalability; and founders’ profiles.
The six finalists competing for the IRF Start-up Label will be pitching their companies at the upcoming IRF Annual Conference taking place in Marrakech on 6 October. Registration for the event is free, but make sure to secure your spot! Visit the event page to learn more.
Meet the six finalists competing for the 2022 IRF Start-up Label:
AIWaysion
AIWaysion, founded in 2021 by researchers at the University of Washington, United States, provides smart mobility solutions for safer and more efficient transportation. AIWaysion’s next-generation connected vehicles products leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer vision, edge computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are ideal to serve the diverse needs of smart transportation.
Edge Vision
Edge Vision is a technology company that strives to improve transportation by digitising real-world, real-time transportation data and automating traffic flow management. Its edge AI-powered software provides insightful data to solve complex mobility problems, make intersections safer and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
IRIS
Maintenance is critical to the safety and resilience of infrastructure, yet most technology that gathers asset condition data is expensive or impractical at scale. IRIs' award-winning solution enables cities to monitor road infrastructure at a substantially lower cost by using dash cameras with artificial intelligence to detect road hazards and defects in real time.
GoodVision
GoodVision Ltd was founded with the ambitious goal to help cities and the transportation industry increase their efficiency, via advanced technology and artificial intelligence. Their software combines AI and Big Data analytics to create a unique, intelligent solution for adaptive traffic control and urban planning, allowing traffic to flow based on more accurate traffic insights.
Kerbed It
Kerbed IT specialises in utilising existing infrastructure, in particular kerbs, to develop innovative, disruptive and cost-effective multi-beneficial housing systems primarily aimed at private and public road networks. Its solutions support the growing needs for Electric Vehicles, specialist lighting solutions and enable stakeholders to deploy IoT, smart road, connected and autonomous vehicle technologies at unprecedented rates and a far lower cost than any other alternative available.
Transconomy
Founded in 2022, Transconomy specialises in automatically extracting infrastructure assets and creating accurate GIS-based asset inventories from roadway images using Artificial Intelligence. Its solution streamlines the asset inventory process and work in harmony to provide innovative and cost-effective ways to perform data collection, processing, analysis and visualization.
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Introducing Valerann, IRF Start-up Label Winner
The IRF Start-up Label is a recently launched IRF initiative designed to support high-potential mobility start-ups, help them showcase their credibility, and further build trust with their clients, investors, and employees. Winners of the label will benefit from IRF’s official endorsement for three consecutive years in which they will gain professional mentoring, exposure to relevant stakeholders in the IRF Network and assistance with bespoke actions aligned with start-up’s priorities.
In 2021, the International Road Federation partnered with the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-up Contest to give one of the 18 finalists of the Season 5 Contest the possibility to obtain its IRF Start-up Label. As a result, IRF together with the jury of international experts comprising representatives of FIA Smart Cities Partners, FIA Member Clubs and other organisations, selected Valerann as the recipient of the label.
When it comes to transforming mobility, data becomes a key element to assess and quantify the gap between where we stand and where we want to be – but that is not enough. In order to fully transform mobility, we need more innovative companies to change the way we think, we plan, we design, we deliver, and we manage transport systems. We believe Valerann to be one of them, we see their potential to think out of the box and bring that innovation we need, by transforming data into intelligence.
In a nutshell, Valerann is an innovative cutting-edge Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) SaaS company that empowers control centres and road operators around the world by providing an intelligent traffic management platform, Lanternn by Valerann™.
We asked the Valerann team some questions about their product and what they are trying to solve, but most importantly from where the true essence of Valerann comes. Here is what we got:
1. Could you tell us in a few words what Valerann is about?
Valerann stands for certainty through data. Today, road operators have access to near limitless data. Yet, time after time we see these operators resort to manual and labour-intensive methods to identify, locate, verify and respond to events. Most operators still use phone calls as their primary means of detection and patrol as their main way of verifying accidents. This is not because they do not have access to data. Rather, it is because they do not trust the data to make critical decisions; the loops are not calibrated, the cameras are not aligned, open sources are too noisy… there is always a (good!) reason why they do not rely on these individual sources of data to make life or death decisions. We fix that. We created a platform that automatically collects, analyses, fuses, and verifies all of the relevant data sources. This allows the operators to make faster and better decisions, in real time; saving lives, time, and money.
2. To understand it better, could you give us one example of a problem one of your clients has encountered and how has Valerann helped him?
One of our clients had needed to improve their response to incidents. We worked with them to analyse 10 years of historical data and created a machine learning module that predicted what areas had the highest likelihood of an accident given traffic flow, weather, visibility, road works, time of day, etc. This helped them deploy their patrol more effectively, prioritise response more deliberately, focus their attention to the right place at the right time, which ultimately helped reduce reaction times and increase safety
3. Now let’s talk about the Valerann team. How was Valerann born and why is your team the perfect fit for the solution you propose?
Valerann was created 5 years ago. We actually started by looking into the world of in-road sensors to help collect high fidelity data from the road, but soon understood that the problem was not the lack of data, it was the lack of trust in existing data. We have built our team around this concept with experienced tech executives, PhDs, ITS experts and more. However, our team is not yet complete. We are hiring across the board, so go check out our website!
4. What are your expectations as an IRF Start-up Label Winner?
The recognition from IRF is already a huge boost to our credibility and visibility in the market. It is an honour. We hope that we can also work with IRF to connect with partners who would find our offering valuable and help us connect with the right people there to smoothen the process.
5. Where do you see Valerann in 10 years?
In 10 years Valerann will allow operators of all sizes; from National motorway authorities to small municipalities the ability to actively manage their road; making it safer, greener, and less costly. We will do this through a completely virtual control centre that sources (anonymous) information from vehicles, social media, navigation apps, and public contributors. No setup time, no integration fees. Go on the Valerann website, select your road areas, and we will instantly generate your virtual control centre and allow you to start managing your road
Michael Vardi
CBO at Valerann
Gabriel Jacobson
CEO at Valerann
Daniel Yakovich
COO at Valerann
Ran Katzir
CTO at Valerann
IRF and the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-up Contest Announce New IRF Start-up Label Winner: Valerann
The International Road Federation (IRF) and its recently launched IRF Start-up Label collaborated with the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest to identify and support Valerann as a winner of the IRF Start-up Label.
The IRF Start-up Label is a recently launched IRF initiative designed to support high-potential mobility start-ups, help them showcase their credibility, and further build trust with their clients, investors, and employees.
In 2021, the International Road Federation partnered with the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-up Contest to give one of the 18 finalists of the Season 5 Contest the possibility to obtain its IRF Start-up Label.
IRF took part in the jury of international experts comprising representatives of FIA Smart Cities Partners, FIA Member Clubs and other organisations, and selected Valerann as the recipient of the label. Valerann is an innovative cutting-edge Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) SaaS company that empowers control centres and road operators around the world by providing Lanternn by Valerann, an intelligent traffic management platform.
As a winner of the label, Valerann will benefit from IRF’s official endorsement for three consecutive years. During the first year, they will gain professional mentoring on a topic of their choice provided by IRF experts. Valerann will also be invited to participate in IRF networking events, providing them exposure to relevant stakeholders. During the second and third year, the IRF will assist with bespoke actions aligned with the start-up’s priorities.
For more information, please contact the International Road Federation at info@irfnet.ch.
About IRF
The International Road Federation (IRF) is a global, independent, not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Active since 1948, IRF is a membership-based organisation, representing leading corporate and institutional players drawn from the road and mobility sectors worldwide. Its mission is to promote the development of roads and road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all. Its approach is centred on key strategic components of knowledge transfer & information sharing, connecting people, businesses, and organisations, and working on policy & advocacy.
About the FIA
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world’s leading mobility organisations. Founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris and Geneva, the FIA is a non-profit organisation. It brings together 244 Member Organisations from 146 countries on five continents. Its Member Clubs represent over 80 million road users and their families. The FIA promotes safe, sustainable and accessible mobility for all road users around the world.
About the FIA Smart Cities Initiative and the Global Start-up Contest
Created in 2017 as part of the FIA Smart Cities initiative aiming to help cities define new models for more sustainable urban mobility, the FIA Smart Cities Global Start-Up Contest selects each year 18 finalists and four winners among promising mobility-focused start-ups from the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Powered by MassChallenge, it gives the finalists a platform to grow their network and visibility by connecting them to key mobility stakeholders in multinational corporates, government, and public institutions.
