Smart City Innovation Challenges
Our Smart City Innovation Challenges are uncovering leading edge technology and data solutions to problems.
The Smart City Innovation Challenges are funded through our Smart Places Acceleration Program.
Register your interest to stay up to date about the Smart City Innovation Challenges.
Goals
- Involve the emerging technology sector driving innovative smart technology solutions for places and people
- Create new pathways for partnerships between the technology and innovation sector and the NSW Government
- Grow the number of innovative smart places products, services, and solutions in NSW
- Increase the commercialisation of NSW Government-funded innovation for smart places.
Program guidelines
Program guidelines are in place to support the delivery of the innovation challenges and these set out who can participate and how proposals will be assessed.
Read our program guidelines to check that you are eligible to take part.
Indicative timelines
Challenge 1
April 2022
Phase 1: Pitchfest applications open
May 2022
Applications assessed and successful applicants invited to participate in Pitchfest
Applicants refine concept and prepare for Pitchfest
June 2022
Pitchfest
Pitches assessed and successful applicants invited to complete feasibility study
July 2022
Phase 2: Feasibility studies commence
September 2022
Phase 2: Feasibility studies are completed
Feasibility studies are assessed and the successful applicant is invited to apply for Phase 3: Proof of concept
Jan 2023
Phase 3: Proof of concept commences
Challenge 2 - Target dates
August 2022
Phase 1: Pitchfest applications open
Sept - Oct 2022
Applications assessed and successful applicants invited to participate in Pitchfest
Applicants refine concept and prepare for Pitchfest
November 2022
Pitchfest
Pitches assessed and successful applicants invited to complete feasibility study
January 2023
Phase 2: Feasibility studies commence
March 2023
Phase 2: Feasibility studies are completed
Feasibility studies are assessed and the successful applicant is invited to apply for Phase 3: Proof of concept
April - May 2023
Phase 3: Proof of concept commences
Challenge 3 - Target dates
April - May 2023
Phase 1: Pitchfest applications open
May - June 2023
Applications assessed and successful applicants invited to participate in Pitchfest
Applicants refine concept and prepare for Pitchfest
June - July 2023
Pitchfest
Pitches assessed and successful applicants invited to complete feasibility study
July 2023
Phase 2: Feasibility studies commence
Sept - Oct 2023
Phase 2: Feasibility studies are completed
Feasibility studies are assessed and the successful applicant is invited to apply for Phase 3: Proof of concept
November 2023
Phase 3: Proof of concept commences
All timelines for planned and live challenges are provided as a guide only. Participants will be notified by the NSW Government about any changes to target dates during the Smart City Innovation Challenge program.
Funding
The innovation challenges are part of the Smart Places Acceleration Program. The acceleration program is facilitated through the Digital Restart Fund.
Find out more about the criteria for funding and the application process for the Digital Restart Fund.
How innovation challenges are run
Each challenge will relate to the priority problems of a sponsoring NSW Government agency or agencies.
A challenge statement will be released to an open market, with an invitation to submit a proposal.
Proposals will be assessed against set criteria by a judging panel, made up of relevant experts.
The criteria are in the Smart City Innovation Challenges – Guidelines (PDF, 636.93 KB).
Successful proposals will be invited to present their idea to the judging panel and sponsoring NSW Government agencies at a Pitchfest event.
Up to three pitched proposals will be supported with funding to partner with NSW Government experts and other partners in a structured feedback process to refine their solution and deliver a feasibility study.
Up to $1 million is available to deliver the concept further. This may include the development of a proof of concept and/or trialing implementation of the solutions.
Successful trials may lead to further opportunities to scale up the solution to other locations or services.
Challenge 1 – Circular Economy
A circular economy is about valuing and adding value to our resources by getting as much use out of products and materials as possible
Challenge 2 – Safer Public Spaces for Women and Girls
How might we use technology to help make public spaces feel safer and more comfortable for women and girls?
Challenge 3 - to be announced soon
Register to attend the launch of our third Smart City Innovation Challenge.