Fresh ideas for the bus industry honoured
At the BUS2BUS Future Night, the design agency Neomind received the Fresh Travel Award for its inclusive “Universal Bus”. The Startup Award was won by the ETH Zurich spin-off Winduction.
Outstanding ideas: The winner of the Fresh Travel Award is the design studio Neomind, whilst the Startup Award went to Winduction.
How can the bus industry become more digital and sustainable? Which new business ideas are driving this forward? A panel of experts explored this question, presenting the Fresh Travel Award and the Startup Award during the Future Night on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
In the relaxed atmosphere at the end of the first day of the trade fair, Kerstin Kube-Erkens, Director of BUS2BUS, presented the awards. The Startup Award went to the company Winduction. The spin-off from ETH Zurich has developed a wireless solution for charging e-buses. The Fresh Travel Award, presented for the third time this year, was awarded to the design studio Neomind. Together with Altro, a manufacturer of floor coverings, the design studio developed the inclusive “Universal Bus”.
All exhibitors in the Startup Area at BUS2BUS were invited to take part, including universities in particular. In elevator pitches, they were given the chance to convince the jury of their business ideas in front of an audience in just a few minutes.
New solutions for the bus industry
Among the start-ups at BUS2BUS are digital companies that use artificial intelligence to tackle pressing problems such as the shortage of skilled workers or offer solutions for service costing. Others support fleet operators in the transition from diesel to electric propulsion or manufacture solar panels for bus roofs. Providers of information and entertainment systems or interior design solutions create a more pleasant driving experience.
The award winners receive a great deal of public attention for their innovations. Two years ago, Finn Ole Matthias Peters, co-founder of vJourney, accepted the Fresh Travel Award. He has developed a virtual travel service for people with age-related or health-related limitations. “The Fresh Travel Award has given my vision a boost – through reach, concrete enquiries and access to relevant partners. For anyone rethinking mobility, this is an ideal platform.”