Future of railroad construction industry 2024

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DB Bahnbau Gruppe - Oberbauschweißen
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Calling all innovators that want to contribute to a more sustainable, modern and technologically advanced railroad construction industry with Deutsche Bahn Group and strong industry partners from Zukunftsinitiative Bahnbau (ZIB)!​

For the 3rd time we are hosting a batch together with our partners from the rail construction industry and planning offices from the industry initiative ZIB. Together with companies like KAF FalkenhahnLEONHARD WEISSINROS LACKNERRhomberg Sersa Rail Group as well as Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes, DB InfraGO and DB Bahnbau Gruppe and many more, we want to face today‘s challenges in railroad construction industry. ​

In 2024, we are focusing on four major topics:​

  • Equipping construction workers with state-of-the-art technology​
  • Enabling sustainable and climate-friendly construction​
  • Improving the industries’ attractiveness from an employee point of view​
  • Applying innovative technologies to the construction industry​

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

  • Access to construction company & DB experts and data​
  • Access to a network of selected coaching and mentoring experts​
  • EUR 25,000, no equity taken​
  • Coworking Space at our loving office site at Berlin Jannowitzbrücke​
  • 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 leading construction companies as well as Deutsche Bahn Group, Europe’s largest mobility and infrastructure provider.

If you have any question regarding our program, join our weekly open Q&A session on thursdays from 12.00 – 12.45 pm CEST here. We are happy to answer all of your questions!

01 – Work simplification in the construction industry – from planning to construction site ​

Construction site workers face enormous challenges during their work. In addition to physically demanding tasks, they also have to retain an extensive knowledge in their memory. For this reason, we are looking for solutions to improve working conditions on the construction site. This includes measures for physical support, such as assistance systems like exoskeletons, as well as for mental support, such as easily providing necessary information on work processes. Work simplifications for employees in planning offices are also welcome!

Der Laufroboter „Spot“ wird im Instandhaltungswerk in Mainz-Bischofsheim bei der DB Cargo getestet.
DB176744
Symbolbild - Künstliche Intelligenz bei der DB - KI gestützte Leitstelle
Bagger

02 – Green construction site & planning processes

The era of sustainable construction sites has begun and the impact on the environment becomes a critical aspect in every decision. From planning to the use of sustainable materials, there is tremendous potential for innovative collaboration with startups. Solutions for ‘Green Construction Sites’ are sought after, aiming to make construction projects carbon neutral. Let’s make construction sites and planning greener together!

Holz
Investitionen in das Netz der DB InfraGo (Symbolaufnahme)
Instandhaltungsarbeiten im Nord-Süd-Tunnel der Berliner S-Bahn im Februar 2024
Bildschirm

03 – Employer attractiveness: culture, retention, knowledge​

The shortage of skilled workers is omnipresent and also affects the rail construction industry and planning offices. On one hand, we are looking for solutions to help reduce knowledge loss and better distribute knowledge among employees. On the other hand, we are seeking solutions to reduce turnover by strengthening employer attractiveness and working conditions.

Mann sitzt im Büro vor einem Monitor
Auszubildende von LEAG und Deutscher Bahn in der Ausbildungswerkstatt Jänschwalde
DB Bahnbaugruppe - Oberbauschweißen
Drei Personen schaune bei einer Videokonferenz auf einen Monitor

04 – Innovative technologies for the construction industry and planning

Welcome to the future of the construction industry – from planning offices to construction execution! We are committed to innovation to transform the industry and set new standards. For this purpose, we are seeking startup solutions in several areas: efficient capturing of existing buildings through groundbreaking technologies, creation of an open exchange platform to foster ideas and innovations, as well as startups for identifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities to protect the digital infrastructures of construction projects.

Baureihe 152 der DB Cargo mit einem Güterzug auf der Werrabrücke in Oberrieden
Zwei Bauarbeiter prüfen Laptop
Grafik Technik Chip
Nahaufnahme Code auf Laptop

04 – Further Use Cases

For Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes we are looking for startups in the fields of predictive maintenance for bridges. By employing advanced analysis and prediction methods for bridges, maintenance costs can be reduced, downtime minimized, and the lifespan of infrastructures extended. For DB InfraGO we are looking for solutions that ensure that there is enough power supply on construction sites. As construction sites are off-grid, we are looking for solutions where the energy is produced and stored on site.  Furthermore, we are interested in solutions that can prevent from cable theft on construction sites as well  as innovative approaches to load, lift and position heavy components.

Die Insel Fehmarn mit ihrer "Vogelfluglinie"
 Gleisbauarbeiten Riedbahn zwischen Riedstadt und Goddelau
Nahaufnahme Mast vor Himmel mit Sonne
Transport von Torsionsbalken für Lärmschutzwände

Timeline

14. Jul. 2024 – Application deadline


Last day to apply for the program (eod).

16. Aug. 2024 – Announcement of candidates


Invitation of selected teams is expected to take place mid-August (tbc).

05. Sep. 2024 – Selection day


Pitch your solution live on stage to a expert jury and audience in Berlin.

14. Oct. 2024 – Start of program


Start of the 100-day Proof-of-Concept (PoC) to develop and test a prototype in cooperation with DB is expected to take place in October (tbc).

05. Feb. 2025 – End of program


End of 100-day Proof-of-Concept (PoC) and presentation of results is expected to take place in February 2025 (tbc).