MINI’s URBAN-X startup accelerator envisions a better life for city dwellers

By Miles Branman April 25, 2016

2017 MINI Cooper S Convertible — 2017 MINI Cooper S Convertible Image used with permission by copyright holder

MINI is rolling on new ground today as it announces the first nine companies that will participate in the company’s URBAN-X startup accelerator program. The automaker has partnered with HAX, a division of venture capital firm SOSV, to create a cohort of innovative startups with the goal of improving the quality of life in cities.

Over the course of three months, the URBAN-X participants will refine their visions and launch their products and services. Each company will preview their interpretation of a better city life during an invite-only Demo Day on June 7, 2016.

Here’s the rundown on URBAN-X’s first accelerator class:

Brooklyness: We make cycling in the city safer. Brooklyness.com; @brooklyness1
Buzzware: Supercharging network for commercial drones. Buzzware.co
CTY: Analytics for places @heycty
Farmshelf: Easy-to-use hydroponic urban farms for schools, apartment buildings, and under-utilized city spaces, Farmshelf.co; @farmshelfco
MindRider: Mapping mental experiences to find the best places. Mindriderhelmet.com; @mindriderhelmet
nello: The virtual doorman for your home. nello.io; @locumilabs
Industrial/Organic: Sustainable solutions for a changing world. Industrialorganic.co
SAMOCAT: The lightest and the most compact automated public transportation system. Samocat.fr; @SamocarSharing
stae: We’re modern civil engineering. Stae.co; @staehere

As you can tell from the descriptions, each of the startups is in a very early stage of defining its business model. One standout among them has to be MindRider; who doesn’t want to find the “best places,” via mental mapping? Who, we ask?!

We’ll see what comes from this venture over the next three months, but for now, it’s worth mentioning that MINI and HAX have joined forces to pair MINI’s design, engineering, and usability experience with HAX’s acceleration process, investing techniques, and rapid go-to-market strategy. The two organizations see dense urban dwellings as prime territory for innovation.

URBAN-X is already planning the kickoff of its next cohort in August of 2016. The startups will settle into a new 23,000 square foot space in Brooklyn this summer.

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