MIT-Tsinghua Future City Innovation Connector (FCIC)’s mission is to advance the impactful practice of entrepreneurship in China and beyond. The goals of FCIC is to support startups applying ideas to China’s rapidly growing urban areas by efficiently connecting them with key players of China’s urbanization market. FCIC has two key components: the Grant and the Platform.
The Grant
The Grant supports startups to conduct stakeholder and market research, refine products, and develop their pilot project and launch their venture. In 2020, FCIC Grant Committee will select 3-4 MIT startups to offer them travel grants range between $15,000, $10,000, $7500 to for China fieldwork between Jun 2020 to Dec 2020.
The Platform
The FCIC Platform will offer selected startups the following ecosystem engagement:
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Connection with leading experts, industrial leaders, government leaders, entrepreneurs. Teams will engage with key stakeholders and getting feedback from them.
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Facilitate communication and work processes to identify pilot sites and execute projects.
Application open in March 2020
2020 Program Key Dates
April 15 Application Deadline
April 24/25 Interview Day
April 29 Final Decision
May 3 Final Announcement of 2020 Future City Innovation Connector Grant Awards
May-June Initial Pilot outreach
July Summit in Guangzhou
2018 Cohort
 adavivHarnessing AI to unleash nature's potential |  biobot analyticsDeveloping cutting-edge technology to transform sewers into public health observatories |  CitoryTechFacilitating exploratory trips and reconnect people with the physical world |  ConstructureCasting positive influence on society |
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 GAIA-EMitigating climate change, eliminate air pollution, eradicate energy and water poverty |  galloonQuenching the thirsty world |  kawsayConnecting communities to infrastructure services |  LEANfm TechnologiesReinventing facilities management with artificial intelligence |
 LtFeel the city, intelligent commuting |  MultimerBetter decision based on human signals |  Muyu TechnologyDecrease 90% of water waste on hand washing |  ROOTS STUDIODigitizes the work and stories of traditional artists |
 Shurong TechnologyConnecting multiple data sources for better business decisions |  Sponge StudioDesign new public restrooms to make the city more beautiful. |  Vthree.AIEmpowering the future of smart energy-saving cities. |  Increasing the utilization of central city spaces |
2019 Cohort
 AISLEDOutside Ads, Insider Information |  Elite IntelligenceBetter Light,Better Life |  EvavisdomIntelligent Identification of Water, Electricity, Gas, Heat and Industrial Instruments |  InSaniratorBuilding Healthy and Resilient Cities of the Future |
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 AgroBeads®Agrotechnology for the Future |  mappoConnecting Urban Non-locals with Places and Events |  currant.aiDrive a Safer and Smarter Future |  PlaceIntKnow Your Place |
 Data DriveMaximizing the Value of Every Driven Mile |  PlanitA Dynamic Marketplace for Household Recyclables |  LeafypolymerLeading the Future of Greenery by Material Innovation |  Tagger XOnline Data Processing Platform Help Rural Young Adults Get a Job |
 DomusAIBetter Design Accessible By Everyone |  Zhen RoboticsLast-mile Unmanned Delivery Robot |  PinStreetPackage of Solutions in Public Participation |  InstacamSee Anywhere Anytime |
2019 Cohort Brochure is now available!
Only in its inaugural year, the MIT-Tsinghua Future City Innovation Connector’s (FCIC) distinct value and affordance for the MIT entrepreneurial ecosystem are already readily evident. FCIC’s core strength draws from China’s unique attributes. Due to China’s vast scale and exponential transformation, access to China comes with it a plethora of application scenarios and consequently more options for strategies to market. Even with the wide purview of its cohort, FCIC has facilitated helpful connections and potential pilot opportunities for each of its participating startups. 7 out of 16 teams have signed agreements with member companies for pilot projects, and will launch pilot projects in Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Academic Advisor
Yulin Chen, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Tsingua University
Weixin Huang, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Tsingua University
Miao Li, Associate Professor, School of Environment, Tsingua University
Xiaoyun Xie, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Tsingua University
Fu Zhiyong, Associate Professor, Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University
Xi Lu, Associate Professor, School of Environment, Tsinghua University
Lu Zheng, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences,Tsingua University
Xiaohong Zhou, Associate Professor, School of Environment, Tsingua University
Industry Advisor
Changfeng Ling, President of Hong Kong Land China
Jian Zhang, Founder and CEO of Nashwork
Joe Kwok, President of Nan Fung Group China
Bo Lin, General Manager of Tusincere Hangzhou
Xiaodong Wang, Co-founder and Deputy General Manager of Tongchuang Group
Yutao Peng, Marketing Director, Changjiang Youth City Development (Wuhan)
Jeff Shen, CEO, Leping Foundation
James Shen, CFC Visiting Innovation Fellow
Guocheng Zhai, CFC Visiting Innovation Fellow
Weiqi Zhao, lead engineer of Rokid, series entrepreneur
 MIT News - May 31, 2018China Venture Workshop announces first cohort |  MIT News - February 14, 2018New connector helps faculty, student startups launch in China |  MIT News - September 19, 2017MIT and Tsinghua University sign urban innovation agreement |
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