Cities face a growing set of structural challenges: aging infrastructure, traffic congestion, climate risks, and rising housing and transit costs. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the U.S. faces a $2.6 trillion gap in infrastructure investment through 2029[1], while urban congestion costs Americans over $87 billion annually in lost productivity[2]. The demand for innovation that drives measurable operational outcomes isn’t optional; it’s strategic.
Emerging technologies in areas like mobility, climate resilience, construction automation, and real‑time urban analytics are transforming how cities operate — and TomorrowCity.USA is showcasing startups leading the way.
For frequent readers, you know our team meets thoughout the year to talk about startups we see driving transformation in various functions, industries or sectors of business and society. Our, 'Innovation Huddles,' lead to new ideas, creative adjacencies and exploration of different emerging tech. Below is a short selection of startups from a recent Innovation Huddle, all focused on smart city innovation and the transformation of urban infrastructure through emerging technology.
Redefining Urban Resilience
Cities face complex challenges, from flooding and heat management to efficient resource use. Aquipor’s water-absorbing concrete reduces urban flooding while mitigating pollutants during storms. It offers municipalities a scalable solution to costly, slow-to-address infrastructure challenges. Meanwhile, Flood Frame complements this approach by providing a deployable barrier system that protects homes and buildings from rising waters.
Other examples include AUAR and Arup, which address the built environment and the planning side of urban resilience. AUAR brings automation and robotics to housing construction, enabling developers to create affordable, low-carbon housing at the neighborhood scale. On the other hand, Arup takes urban resilience further by simulating city infrastructure and climate scenarios using digital twins.
In practice, these innovative solutions create a more proactive approach to urban challenges. Cities can anticipate flooding, heat islands, and resource bottlenecks, implement solutions more quickly, and measure outcomes more accurately. The result is a stronger, more resilient urban ecosystem that balances efficiency, affordability, and environmental responsibility.
Exploring Smarter Mobility and Public Spaces
Transportation and mobility remain central to urban efficiency. Hayden AI leverages advanced computer vision and public transit data to optimize traffic flows, manage curbside activity, and enhance overall transit planning. By analyzing real-time patterns, the platform enables cities to anticipate congestion and create a more responsive transportation network.
Meanwhile, Mozee is addressing gaps in last-mile transit through modular autonomous vehicles. These smaller, flexible vehicles complement traditional public transportation, offering efficient, low-footprint options for crowded urban areas. Also, Mozee provides a scalable alternative that reduces reliance on larger, less adaptable transit systems.
Together, Hayden AI and Mozee demonstrate how technology can transform urban mobility. Implementing these tools allows urban planners to allocate resources more effectively, plan for future demand, and create public spaces that are both efficient and people-focused.
Transforming Events and Engagement in Cities
Urban innovation extends beyond infrastructure and mobility, shaping how cities engage residents and manage public spaces.
For example, PAM turns cities into event-friendly zones with real-time digital signage and mobile applications. The platform enables residents and visitors to navigate complex urban events efficiently while providing planners with actionable insights to optimize crowd flow, accessibility, and resource allocation.
Other startups are enhancing urban engagement and operational awareness in complementary ways. Playeasy, for instance, offers a platform for city-based events and networking spaces. It streamlines logistics while creating new revenue and community opportunities.
Optimizing Energy, Planning, and Climate Insights
Beyond mobility, resilience, and public engagement, urban innovation is also transforming how cities manage energy, planning, and climate risk. Startups like NineDot Energy focus on integrating solar and clean energy into electricity grids. It identifies underutilized spaces and optimizes energy deployment, helping cities move toward more sustainable energy systems.
Similarly, Resilient Analytics empowers municipalities with data-driven modeling for climate and weather risks, including flooding, heat, and extreme events. Epic Cleantec addresses sustainability at the campus and institutional levels by recycling water internally, reducing dependence on city water grids, and harvesting energy from wastewater.
Urban planning also benefits from AI-driven insight platforms like Shakudo and Infrared.city. Shakudo consolidates diverse city datasets, enabling planners to efficiently orchestrate housing, mobility, and community services. Infrared.city, on the other hand, accelerates microclimate modeling for new buildings, delivering climate-impact analysis in minutes rather than weeks.
Connect With Us to Shape the City of Tomorrow
We're thrilled to share that this year we’ve teamed up with Tomorrow.City USA to host their Startup Competition!
The Tomorrow.City USA Startup City 2026 Pitch Competition Powered by VentureFuel invites founders across mobility, energy, infrastructure, and civic tech to compete for a $25,000 cash prize, access to our global innovation network, and an extraordinary opportunity to gain exposure to government leaders, industry partners, and innovation experts committed to building the cities of tomorrow.
To apply to participate in the Startup Competition, visit https://tomorrowcity.us/startups/.
To learn more about Tomorrow City USA visit: https://tomorrowcity.us/.