URBAN-X supports urban tech startups in the second year of the global MINI Impact Program.

New York. In the second year of the MINI Impact Program, MINI is once again increasing the impact of URBAN-X startup platform by expanding this program for new ideas on sustainability. Through this initiative, URBAN-X by MINI supports transformative climate technologies and seeks innovative solutions to solve cities’ toughest challenges. Teams from Brazil, Mexico, India, South Africa, Portugal, France and Germany can participate in this year's Call for Applications from beginning of August. The first confirmed startup comes from Spain: Gravity Wave collects and recycles plastic waste from the oceans to make street furniture.

In the next step, URBAN-X and the MINI markets will identify startups to participate in the four-week program. During this time, teams work remotely for three weeks and in person for one week with URBAN-X experts in New York. The entrepreneurs receive support tailored to the stage and needs of their startup. For idea stage startups, the experts will focus on customer discovery, business roadmap, and pitching the solutions. For seed stage companies, product and pitch will be reviewed, a strategy to enter the US market framed, and the supply chain assessed.

Ideas for the fight against climate change.

In the 7 years since its inception, URBAN-X has already supported over 100 startups developing novel, scalable solutions. As the fight against climate change has never been more urgent, the URBAN-X platform was expanded last year with the MINI Impact Program, leveraging MINI’s global distribution network to maximize impact amid growing climate challenges in cities around the world.

To further engage and activate local networks, the MINI Impact Program 2023 is working with local partners. For example, with the architecture accelerator FAIRE Paris in France, the innovation lab Urban Innovation in Germany, and the global urban tech platform Utopia outside of Europe.

Applications for the program are open from the first week of August at https://142-urban-x.webflow.io/programs/mini-impact-program.

About URBAN-X

URBAN-X is the platform for founders reimagining city life. Built by MINI in 2016, URBAN-X partners with startups to build bold technology solutions for a sustainable planet. Breaking from traditional startup program molds, URBAN-X provides early stage entrepreneurs with tailored support that accelerates growth and builds successful businesses for the next generation of climate- and city-focused innovators. Core to its platform, URBAN-X offers world-class engineering and design resources, industry-leading investment capital from our venture partner JVP, a global network of investors, policymakers, corporate strategies and end-customers, and premier educational content for a global network of founders. Find URBAN-X on Twitter & Instagram at @urbanxtech or at https://urban-x.com/.