CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–TechNexus Venture Collaborative announced today the launch of Smart Cities Internet of Things Innovation (SCITI) Labs, and a Request for Innovators (RFI) for the program. TechNexus, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) and Smart City Works are seeking to prototype new internet of things (IoT) and smart city technologies for emergency response and management, with broader application to broader industrial and tangential markets.
The SCITI Labs effort focuses on extensive validation and go-to-market support through its network of industry partners. SCITI creates an accelerated pathway to market through prototype funding, access to first responders (end users) across the United States, and pilot opportunities with tangential market customers. Selected performers will be funded up to $150,000 over a total period of 18 months. The goal is to find and incubate commercially-relevant capabilities that will be available for first responders by 2020.
“TechNexus is excited to be partnering with DHS and CIT once again,” said Brendan Karp, Chief of Staff, TechNexus, “Venture Enabled innovation through this collaboration is the forward-looking avenue we need to transform the work of First Responders and to make smart city environments a near-term reality.”
The team is seeking new capabilities to support first responders in three specific areas of interest:
- Navigation and Sensors. Autonomous navigation for indoor drones in support of search and rescue missions in difficult environments such as fire or earthquake damaged structures.
- Indoor building sensor suite. Prototypes are sought for sensors such as digital image, video, thermal or WiFinder to be mounted on fixed indoor building features such as smoke detectors or EXIT signs
- Smart Hub. Prototypes are sought for a body worn responder interoperability platform that integrates personal area network communications with third-party sensor packages (e.g. integrated voice/coms, indoor building sensor suites).
TechNexus invites parties to express initial interest by January 26, 2018, with invited final responses due by February 15, 2018. The final selection will be announced in March 2018. More details about funding, evaluation criteria and the application process are available at https://sciti.technexus.com/. Please direct inquiries to SCITI@technexus.com for general questions or additional information.
About TechNexus Venture Collaborative
Uniquely aligning relationships in the innovation ecosystem, TechNexus Venture Collaborative finds, funds and grows technology ventures as a force multiplier for entrepreneurs and enterprises. Through accelerating commercial activity for startups and engaging enterprises earlier in the development process, TechNexus catalyzes growth. It has done so for dozens of corporate partners and more than 500 startups. Equal parts entrepreneur, strategist, and investor, TechNexus Venture Collaborative rethinks growth. For more information, visit technexus.com, follow @TechNexus on Twitter or find us on LinkedIn.
This press release was originally published via Business Wire.