A call for applications is now open for the ‘Urban Innovation Challenge: Citypreneurs 2023’, an impact startup acceleration programme for startups in the Asia-Pacific region, whose solutions aspire to contribute to promoting sustainable urban development and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Citypreneurs work with city governments to nurture innovative solutions to urban problems as defined and measured by the SDGs – a collection of 17 objectives that serve as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
First launched in 2017, Citypreneurs is an impact startup acceleration and challenge programme implemented in partnership with Youth Co:Lab, co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation, together with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). This year, the Citypreneurs programme takes place in Ulsan city, Korea, in partnership with Ulsan Metropolitan Government and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). The programme aims to seek innovative solutions to tackle pressing urban sustainability issues in Ulsan and the Asia Pacific region anchored around three themes: ‘Innovative and Inclusive Economic Growth’ (SDG 8, 9), ‘Sustainable Energy’ (SDG 7, 13), and ‘Sustainable & Inclusive Infrastructure (SDG 11).
The acceleration programme will run online from mid-March to early June, providing the participating startups with the sector- and theme-specific mentoring on business and impact-profit alignment, as well as providing networking and pitching opportunities in Korea and abroad. Teams that are selected as finalists at the end of the programme will become eligible for various benefits including grants, investment review opportunities, showcase opportunities at international startup events, and promotional support via partner networks.
Impact startups that develop products and services that can contribute to achieving the SDGs through innovative urban sustainability solutions are encouraged to apply by 17 March 2023 via www.citypreneurs.org/ulsan-2023.
