Apply to NXT Activate

Join the Fall 2026 cohort and accelerate your vision for an open, interoperable AEC industry.

Apply now

Timeline: Applications are open now for the Fall 2026 Cohort. Application deadline is Friday, August 21.
The cohort runs for approximately 16 weeks beginning Fall 2026 & wrapping up in early 2027.

Founders Who Build the Future.

We are seeking early-stage startups and developer teams with a strong commitment to open standards, open-source principles, and interoperability in the built and natural environment. Successful applicants typically demonstrate:

A proven capacity to go from zero to one without waiting for permission.

Rapid development and execution capabilities.

Unique insights or "earned secrets" that offer a distinct competitive advantage.

Strong, complementary skill sets across technology, business, and go-to-market strategies.

Early signs of market validation (e.g., prototypes, metrics) are encouraged but not required.

While we welcome all innovative solutions for AEC, we are particularly interested in those advancing digital twin solutions supporting the design, simulation, construction, or physical infrastructure operations, and AI-based solutions to bring predictive analytics and intelligence to infrastructure.

Your Path to Acceleration

Our straightforward application process is designed to understand your vision, your team, and your potential impact:

Complete the Online Application

Provide comprehensive details about your company, team, technology, and market opportunity. This helps us understand your unique value proposition.

Initial Review

Our team will review applications on a rolling basis. If we're excited to learn more, we'll invite you for a brief video pitch or a 15-minute interview.

Final Decision

We respect your time and aim to make final decisions quickly, communicating outcomes promptly.

Key Considerations for Applicants

Early-Stage Focus: We prioritize early-stage startups (those who can receive funding via SAFE note) and developer teams. This program is primarily for third-party innovators, not in-house development teams from larger AEC firms.
Program Commitment: The initial cohort runs for approximately 16 weeks beginning Fall 2026 & wrapping up in early 2027. While specific attendance requirements will be communicated, participants should be prepared for focused, active engagement.
Technical Expertise: We encourage teams that can build and iterate on their product internally. This usually means having a technical co-founder or equivalent expertise within your team.
Reapplication Policy: If you are not selected for the current cohort, we encourage you to refine your product and reapply for a future cohort. Many successful founders have been admitted to similar programs on repeat applications.
Solo Founders Welcome: We welcome solo founders who exhibit a strong capability for developing products from initial concept while independently navigating challenges, though teams with multiple founders bringing complementary skill sets are generally preferred for scaling a startup.