The California Mobility Center (CMC) has begun full operations to accelerate the pace of future mobility commercialisation.
The CMC helps start-ups launch products in California, providing access to programming and partnering opportunities as well as vetted services and funding sources.
Areas of focus include smart and shared mobility solutions, fuelling and charging infrastructure, and automated, connected and electric vehicles (EV).
The non-profit entity is supported by the Sacramento Municipal Water District, venture capital firm EnerTech, and consulting and engineering company PEM Motion.
CMC board member Henry Bzeih says: “The CMC is now fully positioned to orchestrate commercially meaningful interactions between future mobility early-stage companies and industry-leading members."
"Our members will consist of Tier 1 suppliers, OEMs, utilities, institutions, government agencies, and higher education and workforce training organisations that have a vested interest in future mobility commercialisation and a desire to work with entrepreneurs and innovators in the global future mobility landscape.”
Commercial clients of the CMC will receive a business process review and commercialisation plan that is implemented with support from CMC’s staff, members and its preferred service provider network.
In 2020, the CMC signed early agreements with mobility equipment and service providers such as Zeus Electric Chassis and Danmar.
The CMC says companies like these gain direct access to one another, as well as funding sources, governmental entities, end users and a qualified list of professional service providers.
Additionally, the CMC will train, educate, and develop the workforce talent needed for the mobility sector.
Founding members California State University (Sacramento) and the University of California (Davis) are offering companies access to a talent pool that can help them reach commercialisation.
Robert Nelsen, CMC founding member and Sacramento state president, says: “The CMC’s alliance with Sacramento State, UC Davis, and also Los Rios Community College District is the lynchpin for accessing and developing the workforce talent needed to fast-track these innovations.”
“We also provide the CMC access to research, studies, and the thought leadership on key transportation, energy and environmental issues influencing policy and regulatory processes in California, nationally and globally,” Nelson adds.
CMC’s headquarters is located at Army Depot Park in Sacramento.
