Munich Urban Colab is a joint innovation hub created by UnternehmerTUM, Europe's leading centre for innovation and business creation, and the City of Munich. The facility provides a unique physical space where startups, established companies, researchers, municipal agencies, and citizens collaborate to develop smart and sustainable urban solutions for Munich and beyond.
Opened in 2021, the Munich Urban Colab occupies a purpose-built facility designed to maximise interaction between its diverse community of innovators. The building houses co-working spaces, prototyping workshops, exhibition areas, event venues, and dedicated spaces for collaborative project work. Its location in Munich's creative quarter provides easy access to the city's broader innovation ecosystem, including the Technical University of Munich, major corporate research centres, and a thriving startup scene.
The Colab's programme is structured around urban challenge areas including sustainable mobility, energy transition, circular economy, inclusive housing, digital public services, and climate adaptation. Through its Smart City Challenge programme, the facility invites startups and innovators to develop solutions for specific urban problems identified by the City of Munich, providing access to real-world testing opportunities, municipal data, and potential procurement pathways.
A distinctive feature of Munich Urban Colab is its emphasis on citizen participation. The facility regularly opens its doors to Munich residents for workshops, exhibitions, and co-creation sessions that give citizens a direct role in shaping the city's innovation agenda. This approach reflects Munich's understanding that smart city development must be driven by citizen needs rather than technology availability.
Munich Urban Colab has rapidly established itself as a reference model for urban innovation spaces in Germany and Europe, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can create the physical and programmatic infrastructure needed to accelerate urban innovation while maintaining democratic accountability and social purpose.