L.A. New Mobility Challenge to Identify and Reward World’s Most Exciting Mobility Startups & Zero Emissions Solutions
August 14, 2017 — Press
Entrants Eligible for Cash Prize and Chance to Participate in LA CoMotion Expo, Street of the Future Showcase; Challenge Categories Include Electrification, Autonomous Vehicles, Shared Mobility and other Transportation Solutions.
Los Angeles, CA – August 14, 2017 — The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and the NewCities Foundation today announced a call for submissions for the L.A. New Mobility Challenge to identify innovative zero emissions transportation technologies and shared mobility solutions. The global startup competition, a joint initiative of LACI and NewCities Foundation, will be held in conjunction with the LA CoMotion Expo and Conference on the future of urban mobility, taking place November 15-19, 2017 in downtown Los Angeles.
The deadline for L.A New Mobility Challenge submissions is September 22, 2017.
Finalists of the L.A. New Mobility Challenge will compete for prizes and be featured throughout the LA CoMotion Expo and Street of the Future showcase. Five categories focused on zero emissions, autonomous vehicles, shared mobility and other transportation solutions include:
- Shared Mobility – Ride sharing, car sharing, short-term, as needed mobility solutions
- Personal Mobility – Bikes, scooters, skateboards, individual modes of transit
- Electrification – Electric vehicles, charging systems, energy storage
- Autonomous Vehicles – AI, LIDAR, smart mapping, vehicle integration
- Smart Infrastructure – Smart parking, IoT, traffic systems, MaaS
“Los Angeles is the epicenter of innovation for creating a zero emissions mobility future,” said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of LACI. “Through this challenge, we hope to continue to find innovations that deliver last mile/first mile solutions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality.”
Several recent actions have made Los Angeles a leader in zero emissions mobility and transportation solutions, including MTA’s recent commitment to 100% electric buses by 2030, their $120 billion in transit investment coming county-wide via Measure M, and the goals that L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia have set for zero emissions goods movement.
“The next great urban revolution will be sparked by the vast changes underway in how people and goods move around,” said John Rossant, Chairman of the NewCities Foundation and Chief Curator at LA CoMotion. “The L.A. New Mobility Challenge is a unique opportunity to showcase the most cutting-edge global innovators who are reimagining mobility. We at LA CoMotion and the NewCities Foundation are incredibly excited to launch this important global competition in collaboration with our friends at LACI. Cities that move effectively – and equitably – will be the real power players in the coming decades.”
Applicant startups must be less than five years in business with revenues of less than $5 million and have products in pilot, beta or prototype stage. Three companies will be selected per category to attend the event. One winner will be selected per category, as well as an overall winner of the event.
All finalists will have the ability to exhibit in the public Expo on November 17th and 18th as well as be a part of the Street of the Future, and the chance to win $15,000 as the challenge champion and $2,500 per category winner. In addition, in-kind services will be provided, including but not limited to, membership to LACI’s business incubation program, access to the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center, as well as services from sponsors and partners. Winners will also receive mentorship, skills development, and market entry assessment from LACI’s Executives-in-Residence team during the three days leading up the conference, November 13th, 14th, and 15th.
For additional details and to apply, please visit: http://www.lacomotion.com/la-new-mobility-challenge/
About LACI
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a private non-profit organization helping to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies by offering flexible office space, CEO coaching, mentoring, and access to a robust network of partnerships and capital. LACI was founded in 2011 as a cluster-driven economic development initiative supported by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) and the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles. Recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI, LACI identifies local entrepreneurs across multiple cleantech business sectors and guides them to market, creating jobs that advance LA’s green economy. In just five years, LACI has helped 67 companies raise $135M in funding, created 1,500 jobs, and delivered more than $335M in long term economic value for the City of Los Angeles. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus with satellite offices in Northridge, CA and Silicon Valley and is founder of the Network for Global Innovation NGIN.
About NewCities
NewCities is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to making cities more inclusive, connected, healthy and vibrant. Focusing on people, places and policies, we bring together a global network of public and private sector leaders and Urban Tech innovators to foster results-oriented collaboration. We also produce actionable research that can be implemented by decision-makers across sectors.
About LA CoMotion
LA CoMotion is a unique five-day event bringing together the global leaders of the urban mobility revolution – a revolution that is set to transform every city in the world, large and small. The first edition of LA CoMotion takes place in Downtown Los Angeles’ vibrant Arts District from November 15-19 2017. The immersive event features cutting-edge discussions, demos, test drives and exhibitions – an unforgettable glimpse into our urban future.
Media Contacts:
Laurie Peters, LACI Communications Director
(818) 635-4101
lpeters@laci.org
Thomas Ledwell, NewCities Director of Communications
(514) 588-0752
tledwell@newcitiesfoundation.org