Future of Operations & Maintenance 2027

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DB mindbox is excited to run its Future of Operations & Maintenance (FOM) 2027 program! Together with our strong partners DB InfraGO and DB Energie, we are looking for exciting startup solutions for various use cases. DB InfraGO is the rail infrastructure company of Deutsche Bahn Group, responsible for operating, maintaining, and expanding Europe’s largest rail network. Its duties include providing high-quality infrastructure for railway undertakings, managing over 33,000 km of track, operating around 5,400 stations, and producing timetables. DB Energie is Deutsche Bahn Group’s energy provider, supplying electricity and fuels for rail operations and planning, building, and maintaining the associated energy infrastructure.

This 100-day program gives startups the chance to customize and live-test their solution to real challenges that DB is facing. Selected teams will enter a 100-day Proof of Concept (PoC) with DB to further develop and test their solution. 

What’s in for you?

  • Exclusive access to DB experts, data and networking opportunities
  • Prize money of 10.000€ (up to 25.000€ in total, depending on the specific requirements of the use case)
  • Professional coaching sessions – including pitch preparation before the Selection Day, individual sessions during the PoC, and presentation training ahead of the Day-100 Final Event
  • 24/7 access to our coworking space ​at our loving office site at Berlin Jannowitzbrücke
  • You will be supported by a dedicated DB mindbox startup manager

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.​

You have questions about the program?Check out our FAQs or send an e-mail to the program manager Viviane Elhaus dbmindbox@deutschebahn.com. Furthermore, we will start with weekly Q&A session soon. We look forward to answering all your questions!

01 – Digitally record and track train drivers’ route knowledge

In order for train drivers to be able to drive on routes safely and independently, they need knowledge of route-specific characteristics, the so-called "route knowledge".​

Train drivers must know the signals, speeds, gradients, braking distances, stations and local characteristics of a route and acquire the knowledge regularly or obtain it through regular train rides. This is particularly complex when it comes to changing routes. ​

Today, the proof is partly done via PDF: forms are sent, filled out after the journey and then manually transferred to a dispatching tool. The media disruption causes effort, delays and errors. Solutions are needed that digitize and automate recording, transmission and tracking as much as possible.​

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Automatically record and document route knowledge​ ​

How can completed journeys and the acquisition or maintenance of route knowledge be recognised and documented as automatically as possible? GPS, timetable or operating data as well as simple confirmation by the train drivers are conceivable. The recorded data should be reliably assigned to the correct route and transmitted to a dispatching system or a connected system without having to be manually entered again. The aim is to find end-to-end solutions that replace the current process and create a comprehensible, rule-compliant database.​

Predictive monitoring and planning of route knowledge​

How can existing route knowledge data be used to identify impending processes at an early stage and to provide targeted support for the preservation of knowledge? Solutions are being sought that inform train drivers and dispatchers in good time of missing or expiring knowledge, make suitable journeys visible for knowledge retention and take existing route knowledge into account in operational planning. The aim is to avoid short-term bottlenecks and unnecessary manual checks and to support dispatching with foresight.​

Other solutions​

Do you have another innovative approach to make acquiring, maintaining, proving or monitoring route knowledge easier and more reliable? We are open to solutions that go beyond the approaches described, for example intelligent data linking, automatic plausibility checks, digital reminders or new possibilities for integrating existing systems and processes. It is crucial that the approach can be tested in practice in railway operations.​

Timeline

06.12.2026 – Application deadline

Last day to apply for the program (eob.)

18.12.2026 – Announcement of candidates

Invitation of selected teams is expected to take place an December 18, 2026

End of January 2027 – Selection day

Pitch your solution live on stage to a jury and audience in Berlin. The Selection Day is held end of January, 2027.

End of February 2027 – Start of program

The program starts with an onboarding week where you'll get to know DB mindbox and the department of DB InfraGO / DB Energie behind your use case. Together, you'll define your goals and officially kick off the 100-day project.

Beginning of July 2027 – End of program

End of 100 day Proof-of-Concept (PoC) and presentation of results is expected to take place in early July 2027.