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URBAN X
REIMAGINING CITY LIFE.
Meet URBAN-X. Founded by MINI in 2016, URBAN-X partners with startups in areas such as mobility, buildings, energy and community, and helps them develop bold, sustainable technology solutions that improve the quality of urban life.
INNOVATIONS FOR THE CITIES OF TOMORROW.
Ever wondered how we can make metropolitan areas more sustainable, liveable and enjoyable? These questions drove MINI to launch URBAN-X, an accelerator program for next generation innovators. Since its launch, more than 100 start-up companies have been able to draw on world-class engineering and design resources, industry-leading investment capital from our venture partner JVP, a global network of investors, policymakers, corporate strategies and end-customers, and premier educational content to lay the foundation for business success.
MINI IMPACT PROGRAM.
The URBAN-X platform was expanded in 2022 with the MINI Impact Program. This leverages MINI’s global distribution network to maximise the impact in tackling the growing climate challenges faced by cities around the world. Starting with Singapore, Indonesia, France, and Italy, the program works to support transformative climate technology and build successful businesses for the next generation of climate- and city-focused innovators. For the Impact Program’s four-week pilot, URBAN-X experts provided bespoke guidance to four selected startups to fine-tune their solutions.
LOCAL NETWORKS.
To further engage and activate local networks, the MINI Impact Program 2023 is now working with local partners. For example, with the architecture accelerator FAIRE Paris in France, the innovation lab Urban Innovation in Germany, and the global urban tech platform Utopia outside of Europe.
FABBRICK.
According to studies, the fashion industry causes around ten percent of all global CO2 emissions. The French startup FabBRICK, part of the MINI Impact Program 2022, uses patented technology to turn textile waste from the fashion industry into decorative and functional brick-sized blocks that, after thorough testing, can be used as interior design elements. The blocks can be used to create interior panelling, furniture, and display systems – in other words, entire design systems. FabBRICK is now trying to scale this process.
