North Texas Connects Global Startups with U.S. Cities at Barcelona Event

Key Takeaways

North Texas is leveraging the Smart City Expo World Congress to launch a global pitch competition for international start-ups.
The focus is on transport, public safety, connectivity, and infrastructure, addressing urban challenges faced by cities.
Only start-ups with deployment-ready solutions can participate, ensuring effective real-world implementation with local support.

North Texas aims to position itself as a leader in innovation by using the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) platform to attract international start-ups. The North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA) has relaunched a global pitch competition focused on driving solutions in critical urban areas: transport, public safety, connectivity, and infrastructure. This initiative seeks to facilitate cross-border collaboration, giving international entrepreneurs a pathway into the expansive U.S. market.

Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director of NTXIA, emphasized the significance of collaboration among cities. She noted that sharing technological insights helps address unique challenges faced by different municipalities. Partner cities serve as landing pads for start-ups, providing them with opportunities to test and deploy their solutions while establishing initial customer relationships in the U.S. “Each U.S. city faces different challenges, and having cross-collaboration relationships allows each smart city to share their learnings,” Sanders said.

The notable focus areas of transport, public safety, connectivity, and infrastructure are key to enhancing residents’ quality of life and delivering urban services effectively. Sanders humorously pointed out that local elected officials frequently deal with constituents’ concerns about potholes and police presence, underscoring the urgent need for innovation in these areas, especially as cities like Frisco experience rapid population growth.

Frisco, designated as a partner city, aims to solidify its standing as an innovative hub. Gloria Salinas, Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, mentioned that with Frisco being the nation’s fastest-growing city—adding between 8,000 to 12,000 residents each year—traffic mitigation and safe mobility are essential issues. Major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup further amplify these concerns.

Participation is restricted to start-ups with deployment-ready solutions to ensure that their innovations can be piloted effectively with the support of both public and private stakeholders familiar with the intricacies of the U.S. market. Michael Kowski, President of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, highlighted that this initiative not only brings fresh ideas and investment but also enhances global visibility for the area. “Building strong foundations and welcoming global innovation are key to laying the groundwork for sustainable growth,” he stated.

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