THE CHALLENGE CALL FOR SOLUTIONS IS NOW CLOSED!
Solution Providers, APPLY NOW! Deadline October 6th
Connected Triangle+ is a public and private sector initiative across the Triangle region (and beyond) to explore areas for regional collaboration in smart cities technologies and data sharing. The objective of Connected Triangle+ is to coordinate smart cities efforts where there are opportunities to strengthen shared outcomes, avoid duplication, and pursue regional excellence.
Innovation that improves government operations and enhances quality of life for residents is better realized through partnership. As part of the Connected Triangle+ Summit II, being held on October 29th as part of the All Things Open Conference, Connected Triangle+ has opened a Call for Solutions for technologies and projects related to the below Challenge Areas. We invite private parties and partnerships to propose “solutions” to these challenges. Selected proposals will present their solution to the Connected Triangle+ Partners at the Summit II. Funding may be secured to seed one challenge solution as a pilot project.
Connected Triangle+ Regional Challenge Areas
Challenge 1: Stormwater
How might we improve emergency preparedness, emergency response, and public communication with solutions related to stormwater monitoring and management?
The proposed solution should complement Raleigh’s existing Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) and help build a larger regional model. The current system is made up of 202 cameras, 55 rain gauges, 18 stream gauges, and 11 flood warning sign and sensor systems.
Challenge 2: Air Quality
What solutions can improve our capacity to capture and share air quality data so that we may improve public health, education, and/or engagement through better Air Quality monitoring and mitigation?
Challenge 3: Climate Action
How might we progress climate action goals (environmental justice, building community resilience, mitigating climate-related public health issues, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, etc.) through solutions that create more localized robust data, activate and engage local residents and businesses, and/or align and coordinate public sector efforts?
The proposed solution may consider how to better complement the existing MITRE MicroWeather Model.
Challenge 4: Energy Usage/Electrification
How might we progress the regional adoption of energy-saving solutions through monitoring energy usage, enhancing EV infrastructure, or incentivizing local resident/business participation?
These Challenge Areas were sourced from common sustainability themes and objectives across participating communities’ Strategic Plans (publicly accessible through respective local government websites). They were further refined by Connected Triangle+ Partners and participants at a regional Workshop in May 2024. We encourage proposals from technology and advisory firms who can become long-term partners of the Connected Triangle+.
This challenge is open to any entity (established startups, corporations, or nonprofits) with a technology and human-centered solution, project, or aligned initiative that addresses one of the above Challenge Areas via things like (but not limited to):
- Improving or enhancing data collection
- Providing advanced analytics and/or data visualizations
- Driving public communication, notices, education, and engagement
- Enabling data sharing
- Activating local resident/business participation
- Complementing or enhancing the noted existing efforts (FEWS, MITRE MicroWeather Model) or other existing local/regional activities
Applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to:
- Readily operationalize a low-cost pilot with one or more regional communities
- Drive data-driven, measurable outcomes that indicate strong potential for impact at scale
- Integrate with established local government technologies and systems
- Create community engagement, enable public education, or activate community participation
- Complement existing regional efforts and initiatives in the above Challenge Areas
- Ensure that privacy and security are prioritized as a core requirement
Challenge Outcome
Finalist applicants are invited to pitch their solution via an onstage presentation at the Connected Triangle+ Summit II at the Raleigh Convention Center on Tuesday October 29th. After the event, Connected Triangle+ partners will conduct follow-up meetings with select finalists to explore pilot opportunities with one or more Connected Triangle+ communities.
Finalists will be provided two free tickets to the entire All Things Open Conference and present at the Connected Triangle+ Summit II on Tuesday, October 29th.
Challenge Timeline
- Application Deadline: Sunday October 6th at 11:59pm
- Applicant Evaluation Period: October 7th – October 15th
- Finalists Notification: October 15th
- Finalists Pitch at Triangle+ Summit: October 29th in Raleigh, NC