Deadline: 31 May 2020
What does a post COVID19 future look like for Lagos and how does your solution make the city better for everyone, including those in informal urban slums? Want to shape the future of Lagos? Utopia has launched an urban innovation challenge for ideas that can help solve critical urban issues in Lagos. Could your idea change Lagos?
This urban innovation challenge is a first step to Utopia establishing a CITYLAB, an urban venture studio to build and back urban startups and solutions in Lagos.
The Lagos Urban Innovation Challenge is designed to support the innovators and entrepreneurs who are shaping the Lagos of tomorrow.
Themes
Utopia is interested in urban innovations across various themes that affect city life. All entries will be considered though they generally place solutions in these buckets. Wildcard solutions welcome.
- Energy & Grid
- Food, Waste & Water
- Govtech & Civic Solutions
- Transportation & Mobility
- Built Environment & Real Estate
- Infrastructure & Industry
- Public Health & Safety
- Wildcard Solutions
Prize and Benefits
More benefits to be announced in the near future.
- Up to 12 semifinalists will:
- Receive $10,000 in AWS Activate Credits valid for 2 years
- Up to 6 finalists will:
- Participate in Utopia’s virtual urban accelerator programme
- Receive curated access to equity funding opportunities
- Receive curated access to relevant Lagos State government agencies
- Be eligible for workspace vouchers from Lagos Innovates
- Get access to Utopia’s global network of experts and partners
- Get 6 months priority access to Utopia Lagos CITYLAB space at launch
- Get access to Utopia Studio in Silicon Valley
Why should you participate?
- Expanded Profile
- The Challenge is a great opportunity to build your network, gain access to key decision makers and be recognized by the media.
- New Growth
- The Challenge can open doors for strategic partnerships to scale your solutions more broadly.
- Inspiring Mission
- The Challenge is an opportunity to solve critical urban challenges for others in your city.
Who can participate?
- Urban Focus
- Your urban solution or startup must operate in or focus on Lagos. Your proposed urban solution could make the city better for the many, not just the few.
- Stage and Team
- You must be an early stage startup/team with at least a minimum viable product. There is a preference for teams with a gender mix.
- Solution
- You must be able to demonstrate a clear business model.
Timeline
- June 1 – June 14: Application review phase; semifinalists selected
- June 15: Semifinalists notified and interviews scheduled
- June 15 – July 5: Interviews conducted and finalists selected
- July 6: Winners announced
- TBC: Summit and Award Ceremony
Evaluation Criteria
Utopia will assess applications based on 5 criteria.
- Critical
- Does this solution address a critical problem in Lagos?
- Original
- Is the urban solution innovative within the city?
- Scalable
- Can this solution impact one million people in Lagos?
- Viable
- Can this solution be implemented in Lagos?
- Team Capacity
- Has the team demonstrated the capacity to build and scale the urban solution?
For more information, visit https://urbanchallenge.co/apply