Bklyn's Urban Future Lab Launches Competition for Smart Tech Entrepreneurs

The Urban Future Competition connects technology entrepreneurs focused on smart city, smart grid and smart mobility technologies with investors, policy leaders and corporate sponsors

The Urban Future Lab in Downtown Brooklyn, New York City's hub for smart cities, smart grid and clean energy, announced the launch of its 2017 Urban Future Competition. Sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Urban Future Competition connects entrepreneurs focused on smart technologies with investors, policy leaders and corporate sponsors.

"New York City is the second largest startup ecosystem in the world. The Urban Future Lab is the hub for all things smart city, smart grid and clean energy," said Pat Sapinsley, managing director of cleantech initiatives at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. "Winners of the 2017 competition will join our vibrant community of change agents building a smarter, cleaner future for cities around the world."

The competition features three categories: the Smart City track, the Smart Grid track and the Smart Mobility track. Applications for the Smart Mobility track could pertain to electric vehicles (EVs) and EV infrastructure solutions, high performance and low carbon vehicle materials as well as related technology such as mobility artificial intelligence, alternative fuel technologies and infrastructure.

The Smart Grid track welcomes applications from entrepreneurs with a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, grid modernization, distributed generation, microgrids and more. Companies with techonology-driven solutions for urban infrastructure, urban resiliency and related themes are encouraged to apply for the Smart City track.

The winner in each of three categories will get $50,000 cash and the opportunity to join the business incubation program ACRE, housed in the Urban Future Lab in Downtown Brooklyn.

In joining the ACRE incubator, winners gain access to strategic partners and corporate sponsors. They also benefit from networking events, workshops and skills enhancement boot camps, and share experiences, challenges, solutions and contacts with fellow entrepreneurs.

Applications to the Urban Future Competition are now open until December 1, 2017. For more information and to apply, visit urbanfuturecompetition.com.