By Eva Pereira

City Innovate today announced 80+ startup-friendly government contracting opportunities as part of the Startup in Residence program. Startups can apply to solve these challenges from now through November 7 for the opportunity to work with a government partner over 16 weeks to co-develop and test solutions, with the goal of landing a contract at the end of the process.

These opportunities span a variety of areas, from systems for managing IoT data, to platforms to facilitate civic engagement, to communications tools for disaster response. Over the last two months, 28 governments partners have been involved in challenge sourcing processes to identify the most critical challenges facing their communities. Each of these challenges has a dedicated project manager, budget allocation, and department head support.

For startups working in the urban innovation space, this is a great opportunity to understand the unique perspective of government leaders, and a way to bridge the procurement process. For international startups, the STIR program provides an entry-point into the US market by collaborating with a large potential customer.

Startups across the world and at various stages are encouraged to apply to the mostly remote, non-immersive program.

Here are a few themes emerging from this year’s cohort:

Technology automation

Cities are looking to automate and streamline routine services such as garbage collection, snow blowing, and more. View all process and workflow improvement challenges.

AI enabled services

From real-time translation services to AI-assisted hiring and recruitment, governments are looking to make labor-intensive work a little less cumbersome. View all AI / ML challenges.

Augmented reality

Bringing training programs and projects to life through augmented reality. For example, one transit agency is looking to use AR to improve, modernize, and allow greater immersion in the learning process for its mechanics. View AR challenges.

Are you a startup working in the urban innovation space? Apply to join the STIR program today.