Local SMEs urged to tackle urban challenges with new City fund

The Collaborative Challenge is part of the Smart Belfast framework and will give groups the opportunity to access up to £25,000 of funding.

The framework, due to be launched at Belfast City Hall on Tuesday, 26 September, has been developed to build on Belfast’s digital sector strengths and to encourage greater innovation and collaboration between local businesses, universities and the public sector to better understand, analyse and tackle urban challenges.

Hosted by Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Nuala McAllister, and featuring contributions from leading urban technologists, the launch event will also feature a Smart Belfast marketplace, providing opportunities for companies to network and showcase their digital innovations.

The Lord Mayor said: “The Smart Belfast Collaborative Challenge is a really exciting opportunity for businesses which are prepared to collaborate and innovate to succeed.

“If they’re willing to grapple with these thorny urban challenges and to apply data and new technologies, they stand to benefit from substantial business development potential over the coming decade.”