Organization · Accelerator
Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator")
Smart City Works Venture Labs, also known as The Actuator, is a business accelerator based in the United States that focuses on commercializing innovations in urban technology and infrastructure. It aims to enhance urban livability, sustainability, and resilience.
Overview
What Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator") does
What Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator") is
Smart City Works Venture Labs, also known as The Actuator, is a business accelerator based in the United States that focuses on commercializing innovations in urban technology and infrastructure. It aims to enhance urban livability, sustainability, and resilience.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2016
- Approximate age
- About 10 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- March 5, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator") elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator") as a funder
Investment thesis
Smart City Works invests in startups innovating in urban technology, particularly in civil infrastructure design, construction, and operation. The organization aims to help companies develop proven products and acquire necessary skills for growth.
Focus narrative
Smart City Works invests in startups that are innovating in urban technology, specifically in the design, construction, and operation of civil infrastructure. The organization runs a 90-day intensive business actuation program twice a year, designed to help companies develop proven products and acquire the skills necessary for growth and competition in the marketplace.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- United States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Not published
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
The portfolio includes various ventures that focus on improving urban living and infrastructure. Notable companies in the Fall 2024 cohort include SafetyVue, T-I-L, HealthBookME, XS2Profit, and NeuraVue. These companies span sectors such as artificial intelligence, construction, energy, health, infrastructure, resilience, security, transportation, and water.
Capability profile
Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator") as a program host
Program thesis
The Actuator aims to foster innovation in urban technology by supporting startups that improve the design, construction, and operation of civil infrastructure.
Focus narrative
The Actuator focuses on startups innovating in urban technology, particularly in the areas of civil infrastructure design, construction, and operation. The program is tailored to help companies refine their products and strategies to meet the demands of the marketplace.
Value and support
Founders participating in The Actuator receive mentorship from industry experts, access to a network of advisors, and resources to develop their products. The program is designed to equip startups with the skills necessary for growth and competition in the urban technology sector.
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 13 weeks
- Typical cohort
- 10 companies
- Cohorts per year
- 2
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable alumni from The Actuator include SafetyVue, T-I-L, HealthBookME, XS2Profit, and NeuraVue, which focus on various sectors such as artificial intelligence, construction, energy, health, infrastructure, resilience, security, transportation, and water.
Common questions
What to know about Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator")
Upseed classifies Smart City Works VENTURE LABS (The "Actuator") under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 5, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.