Investing in the Future of Road Safety: The Rise of Mobility Safety Tech and Strategic Partnerships

The global mobility sector is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by technological innovation and a growing emphasis on road safety. At the forefront of this transformation is the strategic partnership between Greater Than and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), which launched the FIA Driver Safety Index (DSI)-a groundbreaking AI-powered tool to measure and mitigate driver risk. This collaboration not only sets a new standard for road safety but also highlights a broader trend: investors are increasingly prioritizing firms that combine cutting-edge technology with measurable social impact.

The Greater Than-FIA Partnership: A Benchmark for Innovation

The FIA DSI, developed using Greater Than's proprietary AI trained on over 20 years of real-world driving data, offers a universal benchmark for assessing driver risk across geographies, industries, and vehicle types. By leveraging GPS data to calculate crash probability, the platform enables organizations to track safety performance, implement best practices, and align with the FIA announcement of the Driver Safety Index. This SaaS model is already attracting corporate clients seeking to reduce road injuries and fatalities, with revenue expected to grow as the tool integrates into global mobility ecosystems, as noted in a Marketscreener licensing announcement.

The partnership complements FIA's existing initiatives, such as the FIA Smart Driving Challenge, which uses real-time AI feedback to promote safe driving behaviors. Together, these efforts align with the FIA's 2030 road safety targets, underscoring the potential for public-private collaborations to drive systemic change. For investors, this partnership exemplifies how AI and data analytics can monetize safety outcomes while addressing a critical global challenge.

Market Trends: A Surge in Mobility Safety Tech Funding

The FIA DSI is part of a larger wave of innovation in mobility safety technology. According to Oliver Wyman's Mobility Investment Radar 2025, global funding for the sector reached $54 billion in 2024, with connected and self-driving technologies securing $18.2 billion-double the previous year's total. This growth is fueled by advancements in AI, regulatory shifts (e.g., the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and China's AV policies), and a shift in investor focus toward scalable, mature businesses, according to a StartUs innovators guide.

Notably, the U.S. dominates this landscape, capturing 56% of global mobility funding in 2024. However, Europe and Asia are emerging as hotspots for niche innovations. For example:
- Parkway Autonomous (U.S.) is developing Level 5 autonomous public transit vehicles with V2V communication (profiled by StartUs).
- DOCK-Y (U.K.) is pioneering Advanced Rider Assist Systems (ARAS) for e-scooters and e-bikes, according to a Startupsavant profile.
- to zero electric vehicles (Germany) is converting diesel buses to electric, offering a cost-effective path to decarbonization (also featured by StartUs).

These startups exemplify the sector's diversification, with investors backing solutions that address both safety and sustainability.

Strategic Investment Opportunities Beyond the DSI

While the FIA DSI represents a flagship example, other firms are carving out unique niches in the mobility safety tech space:
1. Visto360.ai (U.S.): Raised $2.9 million in seed funding for AI-driven automotive safety applications, listed in a GrowthList funded startups list.
2. Emovid (India): Secured seed capital to enhance EV safety infrastructure in emerging markets (reported by GrowthList).
3. XOCEAN (Global): Attracting late-stage investment for autonomous marine systems with low-carbon logistics potential, as highlighted in a LinkedIn VC trends piece.

Investors should also monitor defense and dual-use technologies, where companies like Saronic Technologies and Shield AI are advancing navigation systems for high-stakes environments. These firms benefit from public funding and long procurement cycles, offering durable demand.

The Road Ahead: Balancing Risk and Reward

Despite the optimism, challenges persist. Geopolitical fragmentation between the U.S. and China in AV ecosystems, coupled with regulatory uncertainty, could disrupt scaling efforts. Additionally, the sector's shift toward mature companies means early-stage startups may struggle to secure funding unless they demonstrate defensible IP and unit economics.

However, the long-term outlook remains compelling. With road safety now a key ESG metric and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) ecosystems gaining traction, firms that integrate AI, electrification, and real-time data analytics are poised for outsized returns. The FIA DSI and its peers are not just tools-they are blueprints for a future where safety and profitability go hand in hand.