NXT Activate is a new, developer-focused accelerator program co-founded by NXT BLD and Bentley Systems. It invests in and mentors early-stage companies creating innovative, open, and interoperable solutions for the built and natural environment.
Our mission is to foster a thriving ecosystem of independent software developers and advance the AEC industry by championing open standards, open-source principles, and interoperability. We aim to break down data silos and enable more efficient workflows across the industry.
The initial cohort will run for approximately 16 weeks, kicking off in Fall 2026 and wrapping up in early 2027.
We seek early-stage startups and developer teams creating innovative software solutions for the built and natural environment, especially those using geospatial context, digital twin technology, and AI to improve infrastructure (e.g., roads, rail, bridges, water, electric grid) and the built world. We prioritize those building on open standards and with a commitment to interoperability.
No. Software and data are our core focus, but we welcome startups working on hardware, reality capture, robotics, and sensing for the built and natural environment, provided software, data, or AI is central to the product and the business can scale like a software company.
While our founding members offer cutting-edge platforms like Bentley's iTwin Platform, NXT Activate's core focus is on open standards and interoperability across the AEC industry. We encourage solutions that integrate with various platforms and contribute to a broader open ecosystem.
No. There are no fees to apply, participate, or attend Demo Day. The investment terms published on this page are the entirety of the economics.
We welcome early-stage founders from all backgrounds, including solo founders with strong execution capabilities. We primarily seek third-party developers and startups, not in-house development teams from larger AEC firms.
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are currently open. Please refer to the Apply Now page for the specific closing date.
Check out the application here. Pitch decks or videos are welcome but not required.
Yes, we encourage you to refine your product and reapply for future cohorts. Many successful applicants to similar programs have been admitted after multiple applications.
Our program is designed for teams that can build and iterate on their product internally. At least one founder should be technical given the development focus of NXT Activate.
Yes, we welcome founders from around the world. Relocation is not a requirement. Beyond the in-person kickoff and Demo Day, the program runs primarily virtually.
We have designed the program so the overwhelming majority of your time is spent building your company, not attending sessions. Kickoff and demo day are expected to be in-person events so travel is likely for those weeks. While building your projects, time commitments include regular (weekly or bi-weekly) project progress calls, and a handful of workshops covering relevant topics like technology, industry, sales/marketing, and media relations. We do expect founders to be working full time on their startup during the cohort.
Yes, you can apply while studying or employed. However, your business must be incorporated in order to join the program and receive funding.
No. You can apply with an unincorporated team or project. However, if you are selected, you will need to incorporate before joining the program and receiving funding.
You can be incorporated virtually anywhere as long as you can sign a SAFE note. Only exception being embargoed countries: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, Xinjiang Region of China.
Yes. Participation in another program is not a barrier, though if you have already been through an accelerator we may expect to see a correspondingly higher level of progress.
Yes, you can apply with an unincorporated team or project. However, if you are selected, you will need to incorporate before joining the program and receiving funding.
Yes, as long as you are incorporated. Our exclusion of in-house teams applies to development groups inside larger AEC firms, not to academic or research spinouts. If your IP originated inside an institution, you should be prepared to show that it has been, or can be, cleanly assigned to your company.
We recommend picking the idea you are most committed to and applying with that one. A focused application is almost always stronger than two hedged ones.
No, do not wait. Apply now and tell us on the application that you are actively fundraising, and we will take that timing into account in how quickly we respond.
We look for teams demonstrating a capacity to go from zero to one, rapid development, unique insights into the AEC market, and strong, complementary skill sets. We value early signs of market validation, but they are not strictly required.
Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis. If invited for an interview, we aim to make final decisions quickly and efficiently.
We evaluate each team on its own merits. Overlap in ideas is not a barrier; your unique approach, team strength, and execution potential are what matter most. We may select multiple companies within the same category if they offer distinct value.
No. Every application is read and considered equally. We do not rely on introductions, and a cold application carries exactly the same weight as a referred one.
No. Like every accelerator and venture investor, we review too many applications to sign individual NDAs, and we treat all application materials as confidential as a matter of course. See our Independence & Confidentiality section for exactly who sees your application.
We are unable to provide individual feedback on applications that do not progress, simply due to volume.
Applications are reviewed by the NXT Activate program team. This includes colleagues from NXT Advisors and Bentley Systems’ Ecosystem & Ventures team. Application materials are not shared with Bentley’s corporate development, product, or competitive intelligence functions.
No. Participation does not grant Bentley, or any founding member, access to your source code, product roadmap, customer data, or confidential business information. What you choose to share with individual mentors is at your discretion and covered by the program’s confidentiality terms.
No. There is no exclusivity of any kind. You are free to integrate with, partner with, sell to, take investment from, or be acquired by any company, including direct competitors of our founding members. NXT Activate exists to grow the ecosystem, not to fence a corner of it.
No. You own your IP outright. Neither the investment nor participation in the program grants any license, option, or right over your technology to NXT Activate, Bentley, or any other partner.
No. There is no right of first refusal, no blocking right, and no obligation to notify any founding member of acquisition interest. Your cap table and your exit remain entirely yours to control.
The Fall 2026 cohort is expected to kick off at an in-person event in London, tentatively scheduled for week of September 14. Specific details regarding format and location will be provided to selected teams. After kickoff, the program runs primarily virtually. Demo Day is also in-person at the 2027 NXT BLD conference in London next May.
For the first cohort we expect to select 6-8 companies. We would rather run a smaller cohort than lower the bar, so treat this as a ceiling rather than a target.
The cohort is scheduled to run for approximately 16 weeks from mid-September through early 2027. We will take a break from program content end of December / early January for holidays and New Year’s.
The program runs primarily virtually after the in-person London kick-off, with possible in-person moments. Demo Day in London is also in-person.
English. Applications, sessions, and mentorship are all conducted in English, though we welcome founders from anywhere in the world.
Each selected cohort participant receives a two-stage investment totaling up to $200,000:
A SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is an investment contract that grants the investor rights to future equity in the company, typically converting into equity upon a future financing round.
Anything you believe helps your business. In most cases the first use of the funding should be paying the founders enough to work full time on the company. Salaries, development costs, and travel to program events are all legitimate uses.
Investments are made via SAFE note and the investing entities are the founding members. For the current cohort the founding member is Bentley Systems. As an industry-focused program, NXT Activate is built to allow for additional founding members to join and invest in the future.
No, we believe founders should control their boards at this early stage.
Yes, our investment is designed to complement broader funding rounds. We also provide support for refining your fundraising strategy and connecting with potential investors.
We view NXT Activate as the beginning of a long-term relationship between startups and founding members. We take pro rata rights to support future follow-on investment opportunities.
No. We absolutely want you to participate in the program, but none of the program economics, agreements, or legal terms are negotiable.
Participants benefit from expert-led sessions and dedicated support from our team of founding partners. This covers key areas like rapid product development, go-tomarket strategy, fundraising, team building, marketing, and more.
No, founding members’ sales teams are not available to sell your product as part of NXT Activate. However, the program brings participants into founding members’ partner ecosystems, offering opportunities for things like co-marketing and go to-market strategy support.
Technology credits provided by Bentley include a no-charge subscription to the Bentley Developer Network, including access to iTwin platform, Cesium, and Bentley desktop developer licenses. In addition to credits, perks include attendance at founding member events such as NXT BLD Conference. When new founding members are added, expect the list of credits to grow.
Demo Day is the culmination of the program, where the cohort presents to an invited audience of venture investors, industry partners, and media. Demo Day is scheduled to occur during the NXT BLD conference, May 26-27, 2027. More details will be provided to participants as the event approaches.
Yes. In the closing weeks of the program we work with each company on fundraising strategy, pitch preparation, and targeted introductions to investors active in the built environment, and Demo Day is designed to put you in front of them.
Alumni remain part of the NXT Activate community, with continued access to the founder network, the founding partners, and the NXT BLD platform.
