Calls for Innovation: How Cities Are Accelerating Solutions in 2025

Why CFIs Are Different

Unlike RFIs, which can take months and provide little more than data collection, CFIs are challenge-driven. Cities define priority problems, then invite the market to propose solutions. The benefits:

• Outcome-driven – focus on solving challenges, not just gathering requirements
• Broad reach – tap into a diverse vendor pool, from startups to established firms
• Faster cycle times – move from ideas to pilots in months, not years
• Community-informed – integrate resident priorities into technology adoption

In 2025, three active CFIs illustrate how this model works in practice.

What’s Happening Now

NTXIA: Global Startup Challenge

The North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA) has launched its 2025 Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge, returning to the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.

This year’s competition focuses on four pressing themes:

• Transportation – from autonomous delivery to AI-powered smart parking
• Public Safety – including predictive analytics and emergency response tools
• Connectivity – 5G/6G, IIoT, and resilient network technologies
• Smart Infrastructure – predictive maintenance, sustainable buildings, ports, and campuses

Five startups will be selected for piloting and funding opportunities across the U.S. 

Submit to the NTXIA Global Startup Challenge

Alexandria: Smart Roadways Pilot

The City of Alexandria, Virginia—through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART Grant Program—has issued a CFI for roadway and right-of-way asset monitoring.

The city is seeking vehicle-mounted technologies that can:

• Assess pavement conditions (potholes, markings, surface quality)
• Provide high-resolution, scalable data for proactive maintenance
• Support long-term capital planning and infrastructure management

Multiple vendors may be selected for the pilot, creating opportunities for real-world deployment of smart roadway technologies. Submissions close September 23, 2025.

Apply to the Alexandria Smart Roadways CFI

Long Beach: Preparing for the 2028 Olympics

The City of Long Beach has launched its next LB Co-Lab innovation cycle to solve community challenges while preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Highlights include:

• Three challenge-based RFPs tied directly to resident input and city staff priorities
• On-the-ground engagement by Innovators-in-Residence to validate community needs
• A Demo Day this Fall where nine vendors will showcase proof-of-concept solutions

Explore the Long Beach Call for Innovation

The Marketplace.city Role

Across these three CFIs, Marketplace.city is helping governments:

1. Scope challenge areas and draft outcome-driven problem statements
2. Source solutions from a diverse, global vendor network
3. Evaluate proposals with structured data to support faster decision-making

Instead of spending months drafting RFIs and managing inconsistent responses, cities can use CFIs—supported by Marketplace.city’s Clearbox Source platform—to accelerate pilots and scale innovation.

Ready to Launch Your Own CFI?

Whether your priorities are public safety, transportation, infrastructure, or community engagement, a Call for Innovation can help your city discover market-ready solutions faster and with more community impact.

Get in touch with our team at hello@marketplace.city to learn how we can help scope, source, and evaluate your next Call for Innovation.