Czech Republic-based AI technology company VisionCraft AI won the 2024 Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge held recently in Barcelona, Spain, North Texas Innovation Alliance and Georgia-based partner Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners announced.

Judges evaluated four finalists in a live competition held at last month’s Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona. 

“All four of our finalists across Ecosystem Informatics, L&T Technology Services, Sial-tronica 22 SL, and VisionCraft AI did a fantastic job showcasing their solutions and pitching to our panel of judges,” NTXIA Executive Director Jennifer Sanders said in a statement.

Sanders said the innovative finalists made it challenging to determine a winner.

“Each finalist hit the nail on the head regarding this year’s problem statements of the future of transportation, sustainability and VRUs,” she said. “We want to thank each of these incredible companies for making the trip to SCEWC in Barcelona for the final competition, and also for their time and efforts in applying and pitching. We send our warmest congratulations to the VisionCraft AI team and cannot wait to move forward in having you all visit the U.S. and begin your deployments.”

NTXIA is a regional consortium of over 40 municipalities, agencies, corporations and academic institutions across North Texas working to create the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country. 

More on VisionCraft AI

VisionCraft AI is a technology company providing a “Digital Data Eye,” with solutions that provide real-time information from AI-based computer vision object detection algorithms. The company’s solutions can determine an object’s speed, direction, size, trajectory and more to increase safety and improve function across ITS, manufacturing & logistics, healthcare, enterprises & retail, and more, NTXIA said. VisionCraft is the only IoT sensor on the market that processes video streams directly at the edge and is not dependent on 24/7 electricity or wired data in real time.

“We’re honored to award VisionCraft AI the title of the 2024 SCEWC Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge Winner. VisionCraft’s solution will be a strong addition to our smart city ecosystem,” Curiosity Lab Executive Director Brandon Branham said in a statement.

Branham noted that Curiosity Lab can help pave the way for VisionCraft to do business in the United States.

“There can be specific challenges entering the U.S. market if you do not have a pilot program in place with the resources to understand a new country launch,” he said. “At the lab, we are equipped to remove those challenges for VisionCraft as they are ready to enter the U.S. market.”

He also stressed the importance of U.S. partners working together to support VisionCraft AI.

“With our partners NTXIA and their members in North Texas, we’ll be able to provide them with the resources they need to succeed,” he said. “We’re looking forward to seeing the VisionCraft AI team in the U.S. in the upcoming months.”

NTXIA said that as part of the award, VisionCraft AI received office space, funding for their first pilot, travel and accommodations across the U.S., introductions to high-level individuals across public and private organizations to support their entrance into the U.S. market, and more.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this global pitch competition and to have the chance to share our story and solutions with some of the leading smart cities in the United States,” VisionCraft founder and CEO Robert Pinkas said in a statement. “Thank you to Curiosity Lab, NTXIA, McKinney, and Frisco for taking the time to hear our pitch and for selecting us as the winner, and thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey thus far. We cannot wait to begin piloting in the United States, beginning in Spring of 2025. Thank you to all of the partners who put together this competition and for your generous support.”

Support from EDC partners

Michael Talley, senior vice president of McKinney Economic Development Corp., said he’s pleased with the success of this first Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge.

“The Inaugural 2024 Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge was a massive success, and it was an honor to serve on the judging panel,” he said in a statement. “Our partners at the NTXIA are great visionaries to work alongside to bring international awareness to our innovation efforts in McKinney, alongside our other regional partners working tirelessly to elevate the startup ecosystem across North Texas. We can’t wait to welcome VisionCraft into McKinney’s dynamic startup ecosystem and utilize their innovations to help improve our community.”

Gloria Salinas, VP of Frisco Economic Development Corp., said her organization is very involved in helping to develop new technologies.

“Frisco is a best-in-class city that champions innovation, technology and entrepreneurship,” Salinas said. “As a pilot city for driverless cars, drone deliveries and other innovative technologies, we are at the forefront of smart city initiatives that seek creative solutions to today’s problems.”

Salinas connected VisionCraft’s solution with improving mobility.

“Mobility is critical to the future of Frisco, and VisionCraft’s program has the potential to optimize traffic, manage infrastructure and congestion, improve pedestrian safety and further enhance the quality of life for our residents,” she said. “Our established ecosystem fosters an environment where innovators like VisionCraft can learn from other technology leaders while scaling their business. We are excited for VisionCraft to bring their solutions and creativity to North Texas.”

NTXIA and Curiosity Lab plan to hold the competition again in 2025 at SCEWC in Barcelona.

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