The Urban Future Lab is excited to unveil the eighth iteration of the Urban Future Prize Competition, offering a unique opportunity for climatetech startups to shine. With the generous backing of The New York Community Trust, MUFG Bank, and NYU Tandon School of Engineering, this year’s competition is set to award two groundbreaking companies with $50,000 each. Winners will not only receive this substantial cash prize but will also gain entry into the ACRE Incubator, the most esteemed and longstanding climatetech program in New York.
In an innovative twist for this year, the competition introduces the Future Resilience Prize, a new category dedicated to climate adaptation and resilience. Historically, the bulk of funding has been channelled towards climate mitigation, such as reducing emissions, while investments in adaptation have lagged significantly. The UN has highlighted a substantial financing gap in climate adaptation, estimated at $366B annually. Through the Future Resilience Prize, we aim to bring pioneering climate adaptation and resilience solutions into the spotlight, stimulate further private investment in this critical area, and ultimately support communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Competition Highlights:
- Urban Future Prize Competition: A gateway to two $50K non-dilutive cash prizes for climatetech startups poised to tackle our era’s most pressing challenge.
- Benefits: Winners enjoy not just the prize money but also membership in NYC’s premier climate-tech incubator, offering unparalleled startup support, ecosystem recognition, and valuable networking opportunities.
- Eligibility: Open to early-stage, revenue-generating startups that have raised less than $5M and can demonstrate a clear sustainability impact. While international applicants are welcome, winning startups are required to maintain a physical presence in our New York City incubator.
- Selection Timeline: Mark your calendars! The application deadline is May 1, 2025, with the competition kicking off on March 6, 2024. Finalists will be announced on August 14, 2024, leading up to the Urban Future Summit on October 24, 2024.
How to Apply:
Ready to join the ranks of climatetech innovators? Apply through MUFG Bank, Ltd on airtable.com. This is your chance to contribute to a sustainable future while propelling your startup to new heights. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the Urban Future Prize Competition.