Cities of tomorrow. Built today.

Join the epic challenge for urban tech innovators

400+

Challengers

4

Tracks

40

Finalists

1

Winner

Startup applications are open!

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Urban Tech Challengers 2022 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

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 pollution
• Workplace technology
• Green buildings
• Public health, safety and security

Optimising Urban Operations

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

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

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

40 FINALISTS. 1 WINNER

40 companies (10 from each track) will be handpicked by an all-star panel of industry experts from global corporations, VC  firms, ecosystem builders, and media partners.

All finalists will get an exciting opportunity to pitch 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

1

Application deadline

September 8
2

Top 40 announced

September 18
3

Top 40 pitches

October 25 - 26 @ Urban Tech Forward conference
4

Top 4 pitches & Winner announced

October 25 - 26 @ Urban Tech Forward conference

Startup applications are open!

Application to the UTC is entirely free and each of the 40 finalist Companies (10 per each track) will be granted 1 free VIP ticket to Urban Tech Forward 2023. May the odds be in your favor!

WINNERS OF 2022

Ultimate Winner

Founded in 2017 and based in Munich, Germany, Blickfeld is a provider of cutting-edge LiDAR technology for autonomous mobility and IoT applications.

Download post event report

TOP 7 FINALISTS

Founded in 2017 and based in Munich, Germany, Blickfeld is a provider of cutting-edge LiDAR technology for autonomous mobility and IoT applications.

ProperGate is a smart collaboration platform that uses digital processes to optimise the handling of materials on complex construction sites.

Elonroad offers a system that can be used to build charging infrastructure such as electric roads, charging stations and opportunity chargers at stops and loading bays.

Spaceflow creates digital experiences to enable better life in buildings. The company helps landlords and building operators go through digital transformation to finally connect buildings with their occupiers.

InfoTiles offers end-to-end streaming data solutions, enabling businesses to accelerate sustainable digital transformation and embrace innovation.

The company provides solutions combining nature and technology to purify air pollution in cities. Green City Solutions GmbH is the manufacturer of the world’s first bio-tech filters which quantifiably improve air quality.

Perse offers data services to quantify historical energy and carbon profiles, as well as predict and reconcile any energy or carbon transaction.

JURY MEMBERS

Laura Fox

General Manager, Citi Bike @ Lyft Bikes and Scooters

Naqash Tahir

Executive Director – Global CIO Office @ PGIM Real Estate

Willem Clappaert

Strategic Business Executive, EMEA Public Sector @ Google

Veronique Hördemann

Investment Partner @ Future Energy Ventures Management

Ditte Lysgaard Vind

Managing partner @ Lendager; The Circular Way

Alexander Sommer-Fein

Managing Director @ Peak Pride Management

Jason Whittet

Digital Innovation Lead @ Amazon Web Services

Mike Styer

AI & Edge Solution Architect @ Google

James Boskovic

Founder & CEO @ BANQloop

Benjamin Kafri

Global Head of Client Relations, Innovation and Partnerships @ BloombergNEF

Valentina Shegoyan

Managing Partner @ REACH UK | Second Century Ventures

Diego Santamaria Razo

Vice President of Open Innovation @ CRH Ventures

Nikki Greenberg

Founder @ Real Estate of the Future

Dr. Jonathan R. Woetzel

Senior Partner @ McKinsey & Company

Ramy Fam

Vice President @ CRH Ventures

Milana Boukhman Trounce

Director of BioSecurity and Pandemic Resilience and Response @ Stanford University

Harry Briggs

Director of Sustainability @ Terra Instinct

Dariusz Terlecki

Regional Director Poland & EE @ Webfleet Solutions

Tzvete Doncheva

Investor Relations and Platform Manager @ PropTech1 Ventures

Arne Allewaert

Managing Partner @ Amavi Capital

Nish Patel

General Partner @ Inertia Ventures

Magdalena Chałas

Chief Operations Officer & Investment Manager @ Arkley Brinc VC

Yann Azran

CEO @ Mobility Maker

Conan Lauterpacht

Partner @ Sustainable Future Ventures

Michael Ewert

Global Head of Data & BI Solutions @ JLL Technologies (JLLT)

Andrew Knight

Global Data & Tech Lead @ RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)

Mathias Flattin

Partner, MD of Proptech & Contech @ Axeleo Capital

Carlos Tamayo

Innovation Manager @ City of Colorado Springs

Kristýna Machová

Investment Manager @ Inven Capital

Wiktor Karol Waligora

Partner & Co-Founder @ Realty Corporation

Mike Sigal

General Partner @ Explorador VC

Neringa Dubauskienė

Researcher in Interactive Electronic Systems Group @ Kaunas University of Technology

Dominik Zalewski

Partner @ Urban Impact Capital

Robert Grygorowicz

Investment Associate @ SpeedUp Venture Capital Group

Tiara James

Head of Internal Operations @ BANQloop

Andreas Strasser

Partner @ Kompas VC

Bryony Cooper

Managing Partner & Chief Acceleration Officer @ Arkley Brinc VC

Claudio Parrinello

CEO & Co-Founder @ PlanetWatch

Blair Kaplan Venables

Head of Communications @ BANQloop

Joseph Appleton

Digital Editor @ bee smart city GmbH

Jakob Schulz

Investment Advisor @ BitStone Capital

Antonio Rubino

Product and Engineering Manager @ PlanetWatch

INDUSTRY & MEDIA PARTNERS

FOUNDERS

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QUESTIONS?

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.

OTHER INITIATIVES FOR STARTUPS