Smart City Innovation Challenges

• 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 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.

Download the guidelines (PDF, 909.16 KB)

These timelines are indicative and subject to change.

Innovation Challenge process

Phase 1: Applications open 

2 months 

• Applications assessed and successful applicants invited to participate in Pitchfest 
• Applicants refine concept and prepare for Pitchfest 
• Pitchfest event takes place

1-2 months    

• Pitches assessed and successful applicants invited to complete feasibility study 

Phase 2: Feasibility studies commence 

2 months

• Feasibility studies are completed

1-2 months

• Feasibility studies are assessed and the successful applicant is invited to apply for Phase 3: Proof of concept.

Phase 3: Proof of concept commences 

12 months

• Development of a Proof of Concept 

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.

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.