The Prizes
Calling all climatetech innovators
Applications for the 2025 Urban Future Prize Competition are now open.
The Competition
The Prizes
The Urban Future Prize Competition seeks entrepreneurs who are building startups that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable planet. Two prizes of $50K each will be awarded to two companies who embody the drive and mission needed to address the greatest challenge of our time.
Building on the record-breaking number of applications to the 2024 Urban Future Prize Competition—and the growing urgency for solutions to help us adapt to our new climate reality—we are excited to announce two distinct prize tracks for this year: the Climate Mitigation Prize and the Climate Adaptation Prize. These tracks reflect our commitment to addressing the climate crisis through both reducing emissions and building resilience to its impacts.
The Climate Mitigation Prize seeks startups developing technologies or business models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the root causes of climate change. The Climate Adaptation Prize is for startups developing solutions that help communities and ecosystems adapt to the impacts of climate change.
All climatetech startups are eligible as long as they meet the following criteria:
Raised less than $5M in private capital investment
Focusing on a solution that meets at least one of the prize tracks for 2025 (tracks found below)
The Climate Mitigation Prize
Sponsored by MUFG Bank
The Climate Mitigation Prize focuses on solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Startups with technologies or business models designed to mitigate climate impacts are encouraged to apply. We will also consider the impact of your solution on vulnerable communities.
Eligible solutions include, but are not limited to:
Smart Grid and Grid Flexibility
Renewable Energy
Energy Distribution and Storage
Circular Economy
Transportation and Mobility
Buildings, Energy Efficiency, and Building Materials
Geothermal
Climate Finance
Industrial Decarbonization
Artificial Intelligence (mitigating its climate impact, vertical AI agents, etc.)
The Climate Adaptation Prize
Sponsored by MUFG Bank
The Climate Adaptation Prize focuses on solutions that help communities and ecosystems adapt to and build resilience against the impacts of climate change. Startups with technologies or business models designed to strengthen adaptation and resilience are encouraged to apply. We will also consider the impact of your solution on vulnerable communities.
Eligible solutions include, but are not limited to:
Insurance Innovation
Risk Modeling and Analysis
Water Scarcity Solutions
Heat Resistant Material Innovations
Urban Infrastructure and Resilience
Extreme Weather Vulnerability Solutions
Advanced Warning Solutions
Biodiversity and Natural Ecosystem Resilience
Public Health
Food Security
Adaptation Financing Solutions
The ACRE Incubator
New York’s leading climatetech incubator.
A $50,000 cash prize will be awarded to two grand prize winners. The Climate Mitigation Prize and Climate Adaptation Prize winners will also join the ACRE Incubator and gain access to a community of expert advisors, mentors, and investors who will help to scale their businesses and accelerate their paths to success. ACRE companies have raised more than $2.5 billion in follow-on funding, created over 2,800+ green jobs, and have a survival rate of close to 90% since the program’s inception in 2009.
Urban Future Prize Winner Benefits
01.
$50,000 Prize
$50,000 cash prize with zero-equity stake, so you can focus on your company’s next steps.
02.
ACRE Incubator Membership
Acceptance and membership into New York City’s premier climatetech incubator, with incubator specific benefits and unmatched startup support.
03.
Recognition and Opportunities
Ecosystem recognition, media opportunities, and access to introductions to key partners in the public and private sectors.
Competition Timeline
Competition Sponsors
Join a community of innovators.
Past winners, competitors, and finalists - all changing the climatetech world, one innovation at a time.
“Now is the time to focus on implementation of climate solutions and Urban Future Lab has an incredible track record in supporting the do-ers at the leading edge. We’re honored to join UFL’s portcos and excited to fast-forward our part in creating a just transition.” – Bomee Jung, CEO & Co-Founder, Cadence OneFive, 2023 Winner
“Winning the Future Vision Prize brings LimeLoop one step closer to delivering a world without single-use packaging. The prize will support our buildout of the logistics infrastructure necessary to accelerate the scale of reusable smart packaging, speeding up when you can expect to find a LimeLoop package on a doorstep near you.” – Chantal Emmanuel, CTO & Co-Founder, LimeLoop, 2022 Winner
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