Whilx Wins the PIONEER AWARD – Start-up Competition 2026
The PIONEER AWARD – Start-up Competition 2026 took place on September 9, 2026, at the Agora Stage during Automechanika Frankfurt. Organised by HEY/PIONEER in collaboration with Automechanika Frankfurt, the competition brought together innovative start-ups working across mobility, automotive, logistics, workshop technology, energy and the circular economy.
Whilx Technologies was named the winner of this year’s competition. The company is developing a deep-tech automotive platform for autonomous tyre-pressure optimisation. Its technology combines real-time tyre intelligence with intelligent optimisation to improve vehicle safety, energy efficiency, tyre wear and overall vehicle performance.
repareo was awarded second place. The Munich-based company provides OSCAR, a digital operating system for workshops. The platform combines online booking, calendar management and DMS integration, helping workshops automate administrative processes, manage capacity more efficiently and access additional lead channels.
In addition to Whilx and repareo, the following companies presented their solutions during the Start-up Competition:
CARA 8 offers an AI operating system for service and aftersales processes in dealerships and workshops.
ChargeBIG develops scalable EV charging infrastructure with a centralised system and intelligent load management for locations with large numbers of parked vehicles.
Getminds.ai uses AI-generated synthetic target-group panels to deliver qualitative market and audience insights more quickly.
Willidrop digitises vehicle transport across Europe with an AI-powered platform for dispatch, carrier matching, pricing and tracking.
WrenchLane develops AI-powered workflows for vehicle diagnostics, servicing and repairs in the automotive aftermarket.
Edelschrauber provides an AI-powered platform that helps workshops speed up diagnostics, simplify service processes and access technical knowledge.
GetCarl is developing a digital employee for dealerships and workshops that handles incoming calls and messages, coordinates appointments and routes customer enquiries.
Jury
The pitches were assessed by an expert jury representing the mobility, automotive and innovation sectors:
Dr. Carla Woydt, Co-Founder of CEEZER
Niels Christ, CEO of ELISO
Christopher Zippert, Managing Director & Publisher of Crain Communications GmbH
Heike Rust, Group Treasury Manager of Sunday Natural
Dr. Jan-Christoph Rickers, Founder of MOBILITY.FUND
Philipp Grosse Kleimann, Corporate Executive Vice President & General Manager Lifecycle and Mobility of MAHLE Aftermarket GmbH
Stefan Müller, CEO of B&M Marketing GmbH
Dr. Veronika Wright, Founder of Electrification Academy
Dr. Nils Schaupensteiner, CEO & Co-Founder at reziprok society
Dr. Hans Hamer, CEO HEY/PIONEER
The evaluation focused on the degree of innovation, relevance for the future of mobility, feasibility and market potential of the presented solutions.
The programme was hosted by motorsports enthusiast and TV host Lina van de Mars.
The PIONEER AWARD – Start-up Competition provides emerging companies with an opportunity to present their technologies and business models to an audience of industry representatives, SMEs, investors and media. This year’s finalists demonstrated the increasing relevance of artificial intelligence, data integration, automation, energy efficiency and digital workshop processes across the mobility sector.
