Articles tagged with "urban-innovation"
VC firm 2150 raises €210M fund to solve cities’ climate challenges
VC firm 2150 has raised a €210 million second fund aimed at addressing climate challenges specifically within urban environments. Co-founders Jacob Bro and Christian Hernandez emphasize that cities, as major consumers of resources, present critical bottlenecks and opportunities for sustainable innovation. The firm’s investment thesis centers on identifying technologies that improve urban infrastructure while delivering both strong financial returns and measurable carbon reductions. This approach has attracted a diverse group of 34 institutional and family investors, bringing 2150’s total assets under management to €500 million. The fund plans to invest in about 20 startups, primarily at the Series A stage, with initial checks ranging from €5 million to €6 million and reserving half the capital for follow-on investments. Key focus areas include data centers and automation, driven partly by the rise of AI, which 2150 views not only as a climate opportunity but also as a societal solution to demographic challenges in Europe, such as an aging population. The firm highlights that its portfolio companies have
energysustainabilityclimate-changeurban-innovationindustrial-automationventure-capitalcarbon-emissions7 smartest cities of world that could define urban living in 2025
The article highlights seven of the world’s smartest cities poised to define urban living by 2025, based on the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII) by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). These cities lead in technological innovation, sustainability, and smart urban management, collectively generating over 70% of global patents and venture capital. Zurich exemplifies a well-planned smart city with integrated public transport, waste heat reuse, and digital tools for sustainable construction, while Oslo stands out for its green initiatives, including a high adoption of electric vehicles and renewable hydro power, supported by programs like FutureBuilt and an automated toll system promoting zero-emission transport. Geneva advances smart city innovation through the Smart Canton project, focusing on renewable energy integration and environmental monitoring technologies such as LoRaWAN, alongside strong public participation and green spaces. Dubai, making the largest leap in the Smart City Index, aims to be the “happiest and smartest city on Earth” by leveraging AI-driven traffic management
smart-citiesgreen-energyrenewable-energyelectric-vehiclesIoTurban-innovationsustainable-developmentLiving tattoos for buildings might turn urban walls into air purifiers
materialsenergypollutioncarbon-capturesustainable-architecturebioactive-surfacesurban-innovation