BUS2BUS, the mobility trade show, will once again bring together international industry players, thought leaders, and young talent in Berlin from April 15 to 16, 2026. With the Startup Area and the Fresh Travel Award, it will focus on forward-looking ideas for sustainable mobility at the heart of the trade show.

Startup Area: A stage for young companies in the bus and supplier industry

In the Startup Area, young companies present their future technologies and have the opportunity to make valuable contacts. Participating startups benefit from a free stand in a central location, high visibility, and two days of intensive exchange with decision-makers and experts from the industry.

A special highlight is the live BUS2Pitch competition, in which selected startups present their business ideas to an audience and a jury. The most convincing pitch will be awarded the BUS2BUS Startup Award 2026. This award is a seal of quality for innovative strength and market relevance. The award ceremony will take place during the BUS2BUS Future Night 2026.

Fresh Travel Award: Creative ideas for the future of bus travel

With the Fresh Travel Award, BUS2BUS 2026 honors creative concepts for a new travel experience on buses. The competition is open to anyone who thinks holistically about mobility, whether through visionary vehicle and interior design, sustainable materials, digital services, or innovative concepts for travel hubs and on-board catering.

The best applications will be selected by a jury of experts and honored at the BUS2BUS Future Night 2026.

Finn Ole Matthias Peters, Co-Founder of vJourney, the virtual travel service for people with age-related or health-related limitations, won the Fresh Travel Award in 2024. He highly recommends participating: “The Fresh Travel Award has given my vision a boost – through its reach, concrete inquiries, and access to relevant partners. It's an ideal stage for anyone who is rethinking mobility.”

Awarded for innovative travel concepts: Finn Ole Matthias Peters, Co-Founder of vJourney, accepts the Fresh Travel Award 2024. With him on stage: Kerstin Kube-Erkens, Director of BUS2BUS.

The main prize remains a little secret for now – but one thing is certain: Both formats offer not only high-profile media coverage, exclusive visibility at BUS2BUS and online, and valuable impetus for cooperation and growth. Anyone interested can find all the information and application details at: www.bus2bus.berlin/startups and www.bus2bus.berlin/de/ueber-uns/programm/fresh-travel-award/

About BUS2BUS
BUS2BUS is the Mobility Trade Show. The business platform and trend barometer for the German and European bus, coach and supplier industry puts a clear focus on future technologies and sustainable solutions. BUS2BUS presents the entire range of products and services for the bus industry through a combination of trade show, stage program, workshops, networking events and digital services – which in turn boosts momentum in the mobility market. BUS2BUS 2024 was attended by around 2,400 trade visitors from 39 countries and 140 exhibiting companies from 20 countries. The next BUS2BUS will take place from April 15 to 16, 2026 in the modern top location hub27 on the Berlin exhibition grounds.

About Messe Berlin
Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organizes hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.