TechNexus Seeks Collaborators for Smart City Innovation Lab

TechNexus launched SCITI Labs in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to tackle smart city challenges. The Request for Innovators calls on startups and technologists to help build next-generation IoT solutions for public safety and urban infrastructure.

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 are

By Fred Hoch at TechNexus Venture Collaborative