Cities today are facing growing pressure: they concentrate more than 70% of global emissions, consume the majority of resources, and bear the brunt of increasingly complex challenges—climate change, pollution, inequality, aging populations, inefficient services, and strained infrastructures.
To stay livable, cities must evolve—faster, smarter, and more inclusive.
That’s where SmartCityLab Milano comes in. Italy’s first and only urban innovation incubator fully dedicated to smart, sustainable cities has launched Human+AI, a new acceleration program combining human-centered innovation and artificial intelligence to rethink how we live, move and care in urban spaces.
The program is free and equity-free, and offers ten selected startups the chance to validate their solutions, access mentors and networks, and test their models directly in a real urban setting. The selection followed a national open call and was carried out by a panel of investors, experts and corporate players based on impact, scalability and innovation potential.
Let’s take a closer look at the ten selected startups—and the real urban problems they are working to solve.
Ten startups, ten urban problems—and ten new solutions
CityZ – Urban congestion and parking inefficiencies
Finding a parking spot in cities often means wasting time, burning fuel, and increasing emissions. CityZ tackles this with an IoT-based smart parking system that helps drivers park faster, reduces traffic and improves air quality.
Care2Impact – Navigating complex healthcare journeys
Patients and caregivers are often left on their own to manage fragmented care paths. Care2Impact offers a digital platform that provides step-by-step support, reliable information, and access to services—24/7, all in one place.
MineCrime – Urban safety and risk mapping
Safety remains a core concern in many urban neighborhoods. MineCrime uses spatial-temporal analytics and GIS mapping to track crime data, helping cities identify high-risk areas and plan targeted interventions.
MyTeseo – Supporting complex care for vulnerable families
Families caring for people with multiple chronic conditions often lack digital tools for coordination. MyTeseo is a digital MVP designed to integrate information and communication across caregivers, associations and health professionals.
PowandGO – Charging infrastructure for electric mobility
Access to EV charging is still a barrier for many. PowandGO introduces Italy’s first peer-to-peer charge sharing network, enabling individuals to offer charging points and get paid, speeding up the shift to widespread electric mobility.
Niino – Inefficiencies in non-emergency medical transportation
Non-urgent medical transportation in Europe is often fragmented and inefficient. Niino offers an AI-powered platform to optimize these services, making them more accessible, transparent and cost-effective.
Next – Energy independence and off-grid living
What if urban and rural communities could generate their own clean energy—without the grid? Next promotes modular, off-grid energy solutions for homes, workspaces and mobile lifestyles, empowering people to live more freely and sustainably.
Klara Wearables – Air pollution and personal health
Air quality remains a silent health threat. Klara Wearables has created fashion-forward smart glasses that filter pollution, pollen and bacteria using patented air purification tech—inspired by traditional Venetian design.
FlexyGrid – Energy consumption and optimization
With rising energy costs and grid strain, efficient energy use is vital. FlexyGrid helps buildings and energy communities manage flexibility and reduce waste through predictive analytics and smart optimization tools.
Lobbi – Residential governance and energy awareness
Managing large residential communities is often messy and inefficient. Lobbi digitizes governance, simplifies decision-making and uses AI to analyze and reduce building energy use—while strengthening community engagement.
A lab for livable, responsible, and scalable cities
With Human+AI, SmartCityLab Milano aims to become a reference point for real-world urban innovation in Europe. The Lab was established through a partnership between the City of Milan, Invitalia and Italy’s Ministry for Enterprises and Made in Italy, and is managed by a consortium led by PwC Italy, with partners including LifeGate, Designtech, Webgenesys, and others from the innovation ecosystem.
“SmartCityLab Milano is becoming a real engine for urban transformation, helping cities anticipate future needs, test scalable solutions and deliver long-lasting impact,”
says Laura Prinzi, General Manager of SmartCityLab Milano.
The urban future will not be shaped only by top-down planning or infrastructure upgrades—but by collaborative, ethical innovation grounded in the real needs of citizens and communities. And the ten startups of Human+AI are a promising start.
