New engineering software for IoT start-ups from Bentley Systems

Co-development program to accelerate infrastructure engineering software start-ups focused on infrastructure IoT solutions

Infrastructure engineering software company, Bentley Systems Incorporated, has announced the launch of iTwin Activate, a 20-week co-development program designed to accelerate early-stage start-ups in infrastructure engineering software.

The program, which is organized in cohorts aligned to industry sectors, is managed by Bentley iTwin Ventures, a $100 million corporate venture capital fund that co-invests in start-ups and emerging companies.

By supporting startups through scoping and building industry relevant solutions, the iTwin Activate program leverages and interoperates Bentley technology to executives for commercial insights.

Tom Kurke, Bentley’s Vice President of iTwin Ventures, said that the first cohort was a small, invitation-only group of four start-ups focused on the electric grid industry. “We were excited to see the innovative solutions that the start-ups built incorporating our technology. The projects serve as powerful examples of new capabilities that arise from these collaborations, and in some cases, we are already seeing our shared users benefit from these new tools and the efficiencies they unlock.”

The projects are in two divisions: Cohort One and Cohort Two. The first focuses on building a connector to Bentley’s pole analysis solution, while the second focuses on solutions for Infrastructure Internet of Things. Both are designed to power innovative solutions for the construction industry.

Applications closed for those wanting to be considered for participation in the iTwin Activate Cohort Two. However, the company will announce iTwin Activate Cohort Three later this summer, and the project will focus on generative artificial intelligence for infrastructure use cases.