Transit Tech Lab
The Transit Tech Lab is an accelerator program for startups solving public transportation challenges. Companies pilot their technology with a transit system and help transform New York City.
Transit Tech Lab
The Transit Tech Lab is an accelerator program for startups solving public transportation challenges. Companies pilot their technology with a transit system and help transform New York City.
Transit Tech Lab
The Transit Tech Lab is an accelerator program for startups solving public transportation challenges. Successful companies have an opportunity to pilot their technology with the MTA and transform New York City.
What's Happening?
What's Happening?
Info
Session
Nov. 4, 2019
Info
Session
Nov. 4, 2019
Info
Session
Nov. 4, 2019
Info Session
Nov. 4, 2019
Info Session
Nov. 4, 2019
Application Deadline
Dec. 4, 2019
Application Deadline
Dec. 4, 2019
Application Deadline
Dec. 4, 2019
Application Deadline
Dec. 4, 2019
Application Deadline
Dec. 4, 2019
Semifinalist
Presentations
Jan. 14, 2020
Semifinalist
Presentations
Jan. 14, 2020
Semifinalist
Presentations
Jan. 14, 2020
Semifinalist Presentations
Jan. 14, 2020
Semifinalist Presentations
Jan. 14, 2020
Finalist
Demo
Jan. 16, 2020
Finalist
Demo
Jan. 16, 2020
Finalist
Demo
Jan. 16, 2020
Accelerator Begins
Feb. 24, 2020
Accelerator Begins
Feb. 24, 2020
Accelerator Begins
Feb. 24, 2020
Accelerator Begins
Feb. 24, 2020
Pilot
Launch
August 2020
Pilot
Launch
July 2020
Pilot
Launch
July 2020
Pilot Launch
July 2020
Pilot Launch
July 2020
The Signaling Challenge and COVID-19 Challenge operate on different timelines.
2020 Transit Tech Lab Finalists
2020 Transit Tech Lab Finalists
Transit Tech Lab 2020 Challenges
Accessibility, curb coordination and revenue generation are the focus for the second year of the accelerator.
Transit Tech Lab 2020 Challenges
Accessibility, curb coordination and revenue generation are the focus for the second year of the accelerator.
ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGE
How can we make New York’s public transit system more accessible?
The MTA is seeking technology that can enhance accessibility to better serve customers with special needs, including those with auditory, visual, mobility and mental impairments, the elderly and child caregivers.
ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGE
How can we make New York’s public transit system more accessible?
The MTA is seeking technology that can enhance accessibility to better serve customers with special needs, including those with auditory, visual, mobility and mental impairments, the elderly and child caregivers.
ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGE
How can we make New York’s public transit system more accessible?
The MTA is seeking technology that can enhance accessibility to better serve customers with special needs, including those with auditory, visual, mobility and mental impairments, the elderly and child caregivers.
CURB COORDINATION CHALLENGE
How can we reduce traffic by improving coordination at the curb?
The Transit Tech Lab seeks solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, commuter vans, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
TRAFFIC COORDINATION CHALLENGE
How can we reduce traffic by improving coordination at the curb?
The Transit Tech Lab seeks solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, commuter vans, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
TRAFFIC COORDINATION CHALLENGE
How can we reduce traffic by improving coordination at the curb?
The Transit Tech Lab seeks solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, commuter vans, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
TRAFFIC COORDINATION CHALLENGE
How can we reduce traffic by improving coordination at the curb?
The Transit Tech Lab seeks solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, commuter vans, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
TRAFFIC COORDINATION CHALLENGE
How can we reduce traffic by improving coordination at the curb?
The Transit Tech Lab seeks solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, commuter vans, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
COVID-19 RESPONSE CHALLENGE
How can we make transit safer, healthier and more responsive amid the pandemic?
This challenge calls for technologies that help to make New York's public transportation system safer, healthier and more responsive to customer and workforce needs.
REVENUE CHALLENGE
How can public transit generate more entrepreneurial revenue?
We're seeking solutions that enable transit operators to capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities, deriving more value from their expansive assets.
REVENUE CHALLENGE
How can public transit generate more entrepreneurial revenue?
We're seeking solutions that enable transit operators to capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities, deriving more value from their expansive assets.
SIGNALING CHALLENGE
How can we make existing subway cars compatible with new signaling tech faster and at lower cost?
A critical part of modernizing the New York City Transit subway signaling system is to make legacy subway cars compatible with new signaling technology.
This challenge operates on a different timeline.
SIGNALING CHALLENGE
How can we make existing subway cars compatible with new signaling tech faster and at lower cost?
A critical part of modernizing the New York City Transit subway signaling system is to make legacy subway cars compatible with new signaling technology.
This challenge operates on a different timeline.
SIGNALING CHALLENGE
How can we make existing subway cars compatible with new signaling tech faster and at lower cost?
A critical part of modernizing the New York City Transit subway signaling system is to make legacy subway cars compatible with new signaling technology.
This challenge operates on a different timeline.
SIGNALING CHALLENGE
How can we make existing subway cars compatible with new signaling tech faster and at lower cost?
A critical part of modernizing the New York City Transit subway signaling system is to make legacy subway cars compatible with new signaling technology.
This challenge operates on a different timeline.
SIGNALING CHALLENGE
How can we make existing subway cars compatible with new signaling tech faster and at lower cost?
A critical part of modernizing the New York City Transit subway signaling system is to make legacy subway cars compatible with new signaling technology.
This challenge operates on a different timeline.
Participating Transit Systems
We're thrilled to welcome five new transit systems to the 2020 Transit Tech Lab.
Participating Transit Systems
We're thrilled to welcome five new transit systems to the 2020 Transit Tech Lab.
Testimonials
Hear from the Graduates of the 2019 Transit Tech Lab.
Testimonials
Hear from the Graduates of the 2019 Transit Tech Lab.
Testimonials
Hear from the Graduates of the 2019 Transit Tech Lab.
Testimonials
Hear from the Graduates of the 2019 Transit Tech Lab.
Eddie Llado
North America Lead, Veovo
“Our experience working with the MTA and the Transit Tech Lab was excellent. It would have been a long and difficult process for our company to work with the MTA without the help of the lab. Working with North America’s largest transit agency has made us more competitive and better able to serve our clients. We recommend the program to mobility companies who are ready to work with one of the biggest cities in the world.”
Eddie Llado
North America Lead, Veovo
“Our experience working with the MTA and the Transit Tech Lab was excellent. It would have been a long and difficult process for our company to work with the MTA without the help of the lab. Working with North America’s largest transit agency has made us more competitive and better able to serve our clients. We recommend the program to mobility companies who are ready to work with one of the biggest cities in the world.”
Ken Sills
CEO, Preteckt
“The Transit Tech Lab was essential in launching Preteckt's vehicle prognostics at the MTA. The program was designed to allow MTA staff to safely and efficiently explore innovative and impactful new technology. It was amazing to see how fast such a large and important organization can move when given the right framework. The path from project definition to validation has been the fastest that we have experienced with any organization, whether commercial or municipal.”
Ken Sills
CEO, Preteckt
“The Transit Tech Lab was essential in launching Preteckt's vehicle prognostics at the MTA. The program was designed to allow MTA staff to safely and efficiently explore innovative and impactful new technology. It was amazing to see how fast such a large and important organization can move when given the right framework. The path from project definition to validation has been the fastest that we have experienced with any organization, whether commercial or municipal.”
Boris Matz
Head of North America, Axon Vibe
“The Transit Tech Lab has been invaluable in setting us up with direct access to MTA’s senior decision-makers, as well as providing structure and guidance along the way to ensure a successful pilot of our technology. Working with the MTA has put Axon Vibe and our technology ‘on the map’ and has already opened up numerous new opportunities in North America and beyond.”
Boris Matz
Head of North America, Axon Vibe
“The Transit Tech Lab has been invaluable in setting us up with direct access to MTA’s senior decision-makers, as well as providing structure and guidance along the way to ensure a successful pilot of our technology. Working with the MTA has put Axon Vibe and our technology ‘on the map’ and has already opened up numerous new opportunities in North America and beyond.”
Remix
“From the executive to the staff level, the MTA sees the Transit Tech Lab as key to their digital transformation, facilitating buy-in and collaboration that accelerates innovation.”
FAQs
FAQs
FAQs
How does the Transit Tech Lab work?
Applicants participate in a rigorous selection process that may include in-person presentations. At the conclusion of the application process, the MTA will select companies to participate in an 8-week accelerator to learn about the MTA and modify their technology to meet the transit system's needs. Following the accelerator, the MTA will select the most promising companies to deploy a 12-month, unpaid pilot with the transit system. The Transit Tech Lab offers companies an opportunity to demonstrate their technology in the nation’s largest transit systems and receive mentorship.
Do companies receive compensation for participating in the Transit Tech Lab?
There is no compensation for participation in the Transit Tech Lab, and pilots are unpaid. Companies may apply for limited grant funding from NYSERDA.
Who are the Transit Tech Lab private sector evaluators participating alongside MTA subject matter experts?
- Reilly Brennan, General Partner, Trucks Venture Capital
- Clara Brenner, Managing Partner, Urban Innovation Fund
- Ken Bronfin, Senior Managing Director & Head of International Investments, Hearst Ventures
- Maria Gotsch, President & CEO, Partnership Fund for New York City
- Nick Grossman, Partner, Union Square Ventures
- Hilary Gosher, Managing Director, Insight Partners
- Dylan Hixon, Principal, Arden Road Investments
- Linda Kirkpatrick, Executive Vice President, U.S. Market Development, Mastercard
- Brian Yormak, Partner, Story Ventures
What are the evaluation criteria for Transit Tech Lab applications?
25% Impact: Technology is workable in the MTA's environment, presents a viable solution relevant to the chosen challenge, and has the potential to positively impact performance and/or customer experience
25% Product: Technology is in prototype or later phase and available for live demonstration and the applicant is able to present metrics illustrating market fit and use by paying customers
25% Team: The company has a qualified team and is available for participation in person in New York City throughout the Transit Tech Lab program
25% Value: The technology presents a new way of deriving more value from existing MTA assets, presents a potential new revenue source or cost savings for the MTA and/or offers an opportunity to more efficiently manage infrastructure, operations or customer service
How does the Transit Tech Lab work?
Applicants participate in a rigorous selection process that may include in-person presentations. At the conclusion of the application process, the MTA will select companies to participate in an 8-week accelerator, during which time companies will have an opportunity to learn about the MTA and modify their technology to meet the transit system's needs. Following the accelerator, the MTA will select the most promising companies to deploy a 12-month, unpaid pilot with the transit system. The Transit Tech Lab offers companies an opportunity to demonstrate their technology in the nation’s largest transit system and receive mentorship.
Do companies receive compensation for participating in the Transit Tech Lab?
There is no compensation for participation in the Transit Tech Lab, and pilots are unpaid. The Transit Tech Lab will host an info session on public grant programs that companies may apply to, such as as the NYSERDA Clean Transportation Program.
Who are the Transit Tech Lab private sector evaluators participating alongside MTA subject matter experts?
- Reilly Brennan, General Partner, Trucks Venture Capital
- Ken Bronfin, Senior Managing Director & Head of International Investments, Hearst Ventures
- Maria Gotsch, President & CEO, Partnership Fund for New York City
- Nick Grossman, Partner, Union Square Ventures
- Hilary Gosher, Managing Director, Insight Venture Partners
- Dylan Hixon, Principal, Arden Road Investments
- Linda Kirkpatrick, Executive Vice President, U.S. Market Development, Mastercard
- Brian Yormak, Partner, Story Ventures
What are the evaluation criteria for Transit Tech Lab applications?
Impact: Technology is workable in the MTA's environment, presents a viable solution relevant to the chosen challenge, and has the potential to positively impact performance and/or customer experience
Product: Technology is in prototype or later phase and available for live demonstration and the applicant is able to present metrics illustrating market fit and use by paying customers
Team: The company has a qualified team and is available for participation in person in New York City throughout the Transit Tech Lab program
Value: The technology presents a new way of deriving more value from existing MTA assets, presents a potential new revenue source or cost savings for the MTA and/or offers an opportunity to more efficiently manage infrastructure, operations or customer service
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© 2020 Partnership for New York City and Metropolitan Transportation Authority