Tristan Bel | Platform Director, URBAN-X

Episode notes

The URBAN-X platform provides tailor-made programming, connections and resources to early-stage founders. Founders in their portfolio tackle some of the toughest challenges that cities face today as they confront a new climate reality. As mechanical engineer, Tristan Bel first designed packaging machines, medical equipment, and consumer goods, and then managed products and operations for a non-profit organization. He moved to New York City in 2010 to focus on innovation and early-stage entrepreneurship, co-founded Topager (urban farming) and Sitrep (urbanism studio) and grew hardware tech incubator NYDesigns into a bustling hub, selecting and coaching over 35 startups. At URBAN-X Tristan shapes and manages the accelerator and MINI Impact programs, and enjoys writing about it all on medium. In this episode, Tristan describes URBAN-X’s Accelerator Program and what they look for when selecting companies for the cohort. He also gives great tips on how to make the perfect pitch, tools on how to fundraise, and how the Accelerator Program helps founders navigate government funding in an ever-changing political environment.