AAA Northeast Invests in Local Talent To Find Solutions That Shape the Future of the Automotive Ecosystem

In full transparency, the following is a press release from AAA Northeast

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BOSTON –  Research on electric vehicle access has identified a gap between what consumers need to feel comfortable transitioning to an electric vehicle and what is offered in the marketplace. In an effort to respond to this need, AAA Northeast in collaboration with Innovation Studio are launching DRIVING 2043, an  accelerator program to support local startup founders within AAA Northeast’s territory who are developing and scaling new automotive solutions.

DRIVING 2043 is the inaugural program for this collaboration which seeks to identify solutions that support the transition to electric vehicles. It will offer intensive training for up to 10 entrepreneurs interested in developing mobility-based solutions that will shape the next 20 years.

This program is led by Innovation Studio Director of Entrepreneurship Walther Morales Rios who said, “The objective of the free corporate innovation program is to link startup or scaleup founders who want to validate their business model, through an agile and dynamic process, with corporations looking for entrepreneurs who can offer solutions to their challenges and opportunities.”

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The application process is now open, closing on December 7, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified in December, and training will begin on January 17, 2023.  The training program will culminate with a public “Pitch Night” on March 23, 2023, when the startups will pitch their solutions for an opportunity to be named the most viable technology. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply by completing the DRIVING 2043 online application form.

“The DRIVING 2043 Accelerator Program is our first collaboration with a local organization supporting entrepreneurship across the Northeast.  What and how we drive will look very different in 20 years.  Our members will have many more choices and decisions to make,” said Randy Delgado, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, AAA Northeast. “AAA Northeast is proud to invest in local entrepreneurs and provide continuous programmatic support through access to industry experts and automotive innovation which will help the startups prepare for introductions to the market. Ultimately, we believe collaborations like this allow us to serve our members by helping them navigate the complexity of the automotive market.”

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AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with 71 offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and New York, providing more than 6 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services.

Innovation Studio, an inclusive 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Roxbury, MA. Innovation Studio strives to be the home where aspiring individuals are encouraged to grow their ideas into successful businesses. Innovation Studio does this by making innovation, entrepreneurship, and business ownership attainable through an empowering and inclusive network of community spaces and individualized pathways. Innovation Studio manages Roxbury Innovation Center, District Hall in Seaport Boston, and Biz Bodega Small Business Support Center in Providence.

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