Why We ExistUrban and rural areas are integral to shaping societal progress. Urban centers generate innovation, drive economic growth, and foster cultural exchange, while rural areas provide vital resources, ecosystems, and resilience.   By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, making urban areas a central stage for shaping our collective future. Yet this rapid urbanization also redefines how we build and sustain life in both urban and rural contexts. Cities must balance density with livability, harness technology to manage resources efficiently, and adapt to the realities of climate change and social inequality. At the same time, rural regions will be critical in ensuring food security, renewable energy production, biodiversity protection, and resilience in the face of global shocks.  Cities of tomorrow will not only be smarter and denser, but also more interconnected with rural landscapes – balancing urban demands with rural strengths. Technology can transform urban life if solutions are scaled responsibly and inclusively. It must also create bridges to rural communities, ensuring sustainable value chains, equitable access to opportunities, and a holistic approach to progress.  The RESPOND Accelerator Urban supports founders building pioneering urban tech that makes cities more sustainable, livable, and resilient for all. Our GoalWe empower urban tech entrepreneurs to accelerate innovative hardware and software solutions that address the complex needs of urban life – while recognizing the critical interdependence between cities and the rural areas that sustain them.  We aim to support solutions that: 

• maximize environmental and societal impact
• enhance resilience and efficiency
• create inclusive, future-proof cities and rural environments
  

RESPOND Accelerator Urban is a 6-month program, designed for early-stage ventures at the intersection of technology and urban life. At RESPOND, founders receive structured support scaling businesses.  The startups selected will work with expert coaches to develop their businesses and leadership skills. Our pool of lead coaches and mentors will advise entrepreneurs on critical business and leadership decisions. Participants will be connected to a diverse global network of entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and corporate leaders. They will be part of the broader BMW Foundation ecosystem. We provide visibility through speaking opportunities, nominations, conference access, and media coverage.  We’re fully committed to scaling their impact. RESPOND is a non-profit entity – the program is therefore completely free of charge, and we don’t take any equity.

To achieve livable, equitable, and climate-resilient cities, we must accelerate the transformation of urban systems – from buildings and infrastructure to resource flows and environmental resilience – while strengthening connections between urban centers and the rural areas that sustain them. This requires rethinking how we design, manage, and integrate the built environment, resource flows, and climate adaptation strategies, creating solutions that are effective at every level of the urban ecosystem. For the 2026 RESPOND Urban Accelerator, we’ve identified three leverage points where technologies can have the greatest impact on creating sustainable and adaptive cities.