Stadler & Critical Software Launch Stadler Digital Labs

Stadler and Critical Software have announced the launch of a new joint venture – Stadler Digital Labs (STADL), a company specialising in new software solutions for the railway sector.

The venture will seek to combine Stadler’s experience in rail with Critical Software’s experience in software engineering, safety-critical systems, cybersecurity, and applied digital innovation.

With a shareholding structure of 51% Stadler and 49% Critical Software; the latter will act as the strategic founding partner and be responsible for establishing the engineering, safety, cybersecurity, and innovation foundations. One company office will be based in Coimbra, and the other in Lisbon – the latter located within Critical Software’s facilities and set to begin operations with a team of 100 people, which will rise to 300 over the course of the next three years.

Rogério Gomes, CEO of Stadler Digital Labs, said:

“Stadler Digital Labs reflects the strategic alignment between two organizations with converging visions regarding innovation, safety, and the modernization of the railway sector.

Rail is not only a highly relevant area for the growth of the Portuguese economy, but also for the development of a safe and interoperable European mobility ecosystem. The collaboration between these two companies will bring together Critical Software’s and Stadler’s expertise in engineering and innovation for rail.

The primary focus of Stadler Digital Labs will be to provide scalable engineering capacity, as well as deliver end-to-end solutions in railway software, cybersecurity and digital products. The model will seek to enable asset reuse, process standardisation and effective knowledge sharing, combining specialisation with modern development practices previously employed by Critical Software in other safety-critical industries.

Gonçalo Quadros, Chairman of Critical Software said:

This joint venture emerges from two of Critical Software’s most important pillars: trust and innovation. Our experience in critical software engineering, complex systems, and deep tech development will help bring Stadler’s ambitious vision for the railway and mobility sector to life.

Creating joint ventures like this one, with high added value and strong growth potential, is a powerful way for us to serve our purpose and respond to what matters most to us: helping to build a better and safer world.