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/.
In case of queries, please contact:
Urban-X related inquiries
Pakelody Cheam
URBANX@berlinrosen.com
MINI related inquiries
Franziska Liebert, Communications MINI
Phone:
+49-89-382-28030
E-Mail: franziska.liebert@mini.com
Andreas Lampka, Head of Communications MINI
Phone:
+49-89-382-23662
E-Mail: andreas.lampka@mini.com
