Cities of tomorrow. Built today.
Join the epic challenge for urban tech innovators
Challengers
4
Tracks
60
Finalists
1
Winner
Winners announced!
Scroll down to learn more
Urban Tech Challengers 2023 highlights
THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR URBAN TECH INNOVATORS
Urban Tech Challengers is a premier platform for discovering and supporting innovative technology startups that make a difference in the world. Each year, we host an epic pitch competition for entrepreneurs who develop disruptive products and services for sustainable, resilient and future-proof cities.
In our 2023 edition, we are looking for companies that come up with impactful, equitable, and scalable solutions to the most pressing challenges our cities face. So if you want to join the ranks of the most resourceful problem-solvers out there, consider applying to Urban Tech Challengers. With four verticals to choose from – Elevating Life & Work Experience, Optimising Urban Operations, Building for the Future, and Enabling Better Infrastructure – there’s something for every startup.
Plus, you’ll get the chance to connect with multiple venture capitalists, corporations, and media to help you succeed. So why wait? Apply now and get recognised as a top player in the field!
Elevating Life & Work Experience
The experience of living in our cities is about to get a major upgrade. Thanks to technology, cities are becoming smarter, more efficient, and more livable than ever before.
Tag along on our mission to find the most revolutionary new startups pushing the experience of living in cities to another level. For this track, we are looking for problem-solvers who address a wide range problems across such areas as:
• Air quality
• Workplace technology
• Green buildings
• Public health, safety and security
Optimising Urban Operations
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to make a city run like a well-oiled machine. From heating and cooling to facility management, there’s always room for improvement.
If your company has the expertise in creating cutting-edge products for monitoring, controlling and optimising urban environments, we encourage you to submit an application. Whether it’s finding new ways to ease traffic congestion or making our buildings more energy-efficient, there’s no shortage of challenges to tackle. In this track, we are looking for applicants pioneering solutions across such areas as:
• Building automation, heating and cooling
• Urban mobility and logistics
• Facility management
• ESG management
Building for the Future
The current methods we deploy to build cities are no longer enough. To lay the foundation for more resilient cities, we will need new technology champions.
Applicants in this track should be innovating to elevate the building process that includes planning and construction. We expect companies to showcase technological advancement to solve the biggest challenges the construction industry is facing today. These are some of the key problems we are expecting the applicants to address:
• Replacing cement and concrete with sustainable construction materials
• Improving efficiency with new construction methods
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions using carbon capture & storage
• Balancing out efficiency and sustainability with new construction software
Enabling Better Infrastructure
With progressive smart city technologies and data analytics magic, cities today can optimise their infrastructure systems to better serve their residents and businesses. This means less waste, happier residents, and more livable communities.
If you’ve got pioneering ideas that can revolutionise how cities are supported, powered, and connected, this track is for you. We’re looking for innovative thinkers who can transform our entire urban infrastructure systems in a brand-new, sustainable way.
Applicants should submit their out-of-the-box solutions across multiple sectors, including:
• Urban water supply and infrastructure
• Smart public infrastructure
• Waste management
• Green energy & grid technologies
60 FINALISTS. 1 WINNER
60 companies (15 from each track) are handpicked by an all-star panel of industry experts from global corporations, VC firms, ecosystem builders, and media partners.
All finalists are invited to pitch live at the Urban Tech Forward event on October 25-26, 2023, in the bustling city of Warsaw, Poland.
Whether you win the title of Ultimate Urban Tech Challenger of 2023 or not, you’re sure to have a blast showcasing your innovation and making connections with the masterminds of the urban tech world.
Timeline
Winners announced!
Application to the UTC is entirely free and each of the 60 finalist Companies (15 per each track) are granted 1 free VIP ticket to Urban Tech Forward 2023. May the odds be in your favor!
WINNERS OF 2023
Ultimate Winner
Natrion develops components for automotive and battery manufacturers that can be rapidly utilized to deploy safe, high-performance all-solid-state rechargeable batteries.
TOP 4 FINALISTS
Square Mile Farms uses vertical farming to help people and businesses be healthier and more sustainable. They do this by integrating vertical farms into office spaces and creating unique engagement experiences through events and farm participation.
Hayden AI is a global leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. From bus lane and bus stop enforcement to digital twin modeling, their mobile perception system helps to speed up transit, make streets safer, and create a more sustainable future.
Vizcab is a SaaS platform that enables construction and real estate players to catalyse their carbon transition thanks to data science, based on a technology developed by the building 2050 group.
Natrion is developing battery technologies that can push the capabilities of EVs by solving the biggest issues that automakers and battery manufacturers face. Their mission is to service the industry with solutions that will enhance the mainstream market viability of electric vehicles and advance the world closer towards a future of clean mobility.
JURY
ORGANIZER
Futurae Media is the fastest-growing organiser of international conferences and trade fairs focusing on new technologies. Our team seeks to disrupt the traditional approach to industry events by creating category-defining tech-powered trade shows across a wide range of industries – from energy to digital health to food technologies, and many more.
In light of global sustainability challenges, Futurae Media is on a mission to unite all stakeholders — corporations, venture capital funds, innovators, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders — in an effort to address sustainability through the power of technology.