Due: January 15, 2027

Cities generate enormous amounts of data across departments, agencies, and systems every day. Yet much of that information remains siloed, difficult to access, and disconnected from decision-making. As a result, city staff often rely on manual processes, duplicate work, incomplete information, and disconnected workflows that slow service delivery and reduce operational effectiveness.

The City Data Challenge seeks innovative technologies that help local governments unlock the value of their data and create a more connected, responsive, and efficient city.

We are looking for solutions that transform fragmented information into actionable intelligence, improve coordination across departments, and help city leaders make better decisions faster. Successful innovations should work with existing city infrastructure and systems while enabling trusted data sharing, operational visibility, predictive insights, and measurable improvements in service delivery.

Solutions may leverage artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, digital platforms, automation, sensors, visualization tools, modeling, or other emerging technologies. However, technologies should augment public servants rather than replace them. Proposed solutions should prioritize transparency, privacy, interoperability, open standards, human oversight, and demonstrable public value.

what we want to see

Applicants should demonstrate how their solution can:

• Connect data from multiple city systems and departments
• Eliminate manual processes, duplicate work, and operational silos
• Improve visibility into city operations through dashboards, analytics, or decision-support tools
• Enable real-time or predictive insights that improve planning and service delivery
• Improve resident access to information and city services
• Support data-driven resource allocation and policy decisions
• Integrate with existing municipal technology environments
• Deliver measurable operational, financial, environmental, or community outcomes
• Maintain appropriate privacy, cybersecurity, governance, and human oversight practices

AREAS OF INTEREST

Applicants should address one or more of the following city challenge areas:

• Unified City Operations and Data Integration
• Resident Services and Digital City Hall
• Smart Infrastructure and Asset Management
• Mobility, Transportation, and Curb Management
• Climate Resilience and Environmental Monitoring
• Public Safety and Community Well-Being
• Resource Optimization and Workforce Effectiveness
• Housing, Community Development, and Economic Opportunity
• Circular Economy and Sustainability