The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has launched a competition that invites tech start-ups to develop solutions to pressing issues in the region.
Urban Challenge is an open call competition for technology start-ups to develop new ideas to make the West Midlands a better place to live and work by pitching directly to the Mayor and the chance to work directly with officials from the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Start-ups will win a prize package worth over £20,000 plus a guaranteed three-month pilot with the West Midlands Combined Authority, and support by Public in developing the proposition, pitch and sales strategy.
There are four separate challenges that start-ups can apply to solve, namely: Wellbeing, Housing, Youth Unemployment and Digital Citizenship. Each challenge represents both an area where UrbanTech can play a crucial role and also where the West Midlands Combined Authority has identified a critical challenge. Further information on the categories can be found on the Challenge website.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands commented: “Digital is vital to the continued success of the West Midlands economy because it is the golden thread across all the industries which will provide jobs in the twenty-first century.”
Deadline for entries is 31 January and winners will be announced on 22 March. Pilots will run through late spring and into the summer.
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