Virginia Launches Smart City Works Infrastructure Actuator

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe recently announced the formation of the Smart City Works Infrastructure Actuator – a business accelerator focused on growing early-stage companies that help make cities smarter, more livable, and more resilient.

“This first-in-the-nation business accelerator affirms Virginia’s role as a leader in creating livable, resilient communities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “It will harness our region’s valuable assets and will attract technology companies from across the globe to the Commonwealth. The Actuator will allow us to bring cutting-edge technology to market, deploying these innovations in smart communities across Virginia and making us a national model for smart cities.”

Working with the Center for Innovative Technology, the Actuator put out a call for applicants in February of this year in three areas of focus: transportation, construction techniques, and public safety/resilience. At the opening ceremony, McAuliffe announced that the following six companies had been chosen as the first participants:

These six companies will participate in a 90-day mentorship program, focusing on identifying opportunities, test-beds, and channels to market. At the end of the program, Smart City Works will hold a Demo Day, allowing the companies to demonstrate their technology to potential investors and stakeholders.

“Smart City Works is the nation’s first business accelerator focused exclusively on technologies and applications for improving the built environment. Cities across the globe are looking for innovative solutions to address rising social and civic challenges that they face. We are only going to solve these challenges if we unlock the power of innovation in infrastructure and transform the way we design, build, and operate cities,” said David Heyman, Co-Founder and Partner of Smart City Works.