London’s smarter roadmap

Fourteen tech start-ups have been shortlisted in a competition to come up with innovative solutions to some of London’s most pressing social and environmental problems

Tech entrepreneurs tackle London's challenges as part of the mayor's smart roadmap for the capital. The new Civic Innovation Challenge (CIC) is an initiative that aims to match start-ups and SMEs with leading corporates and public organizations to solve some of UK capital’s biggest challenges. Fourteen tech start-ups have been shortlisted in a competition to come up with innovative solutions to some of London’s most pressing social and environmental problems including housing, dementia and isolation.

Later this year, the final seven – one for each challenge – will each be awarded 15 000 Pounds to jointly test and refine their ideas with a group of corporate partners. The seven challenges are - Dementia: ensuring dementia care works for all; Active travel: reducing pollution and unnecessary car journeys; Electric vehicles: preparing London for zero-emission transport; Affordable housing: ensuring genuinely affordable housing is available for all; Financial inclusion: helping families struggling on low incomes; Loneliness and isolation: making London the most socially-integrated city in the world; and Physical activity: making London the most physically active city in the world.

Source: Smart Cities World