NYC Department of Buildings and Partnership Fund for New York City Announce Second Annual Tech Competition to Improve Oversight of New York City’s Built Environment

September 8, 2025 – The Buildings Tech Lab (BTL) – a public-private initiative by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Partnership Fund for New York City – today opened the application process for its second annual competition. The competition is designed to find, evaluate, and test innovative technology solutions that support the DOB’s work as the primary regulator of real estate and construction in New York City.

This year’s program is seeking transformative technologies to modernize internal workflows and improve workforce efficiency. Home to more than 8 million residents and 200,000 businesses, New York City depends on safe, functional, and adaptable buildings to support daily life and economic activity. Maintaining and modernizing this vast infrastructure — nearly 1.1 million buildings citywide — is essential to keeping New York moving, growing, and thriving.

The BTL 2025 Challenges are:

• Workflow Modernization: How might we modernize internal DOB workflows, from case tracking to speeding up code updates, with flexible, data-driven systems that integrate easily with existing platforms?

• Workforce Optimization: How might we equip inspectors and staff with tools, digital or physical, that improve safety, mobility, and efficiency in the field and back office?

Applications are due on October 24th, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the Buildings Tech Lab website.

Companies that are accepted into the program will participate in a six-month pilot broken into two phases. Phase 1 focuses on validating the technology in DOB’s operational environment, and Phase 2 will evaluate cost and scalability for broader deployment. This phased approach provides startups with a clear pathway to demonstrate both the effectiveness and the value of their solutions, while receiving feedback from DOB operational staff.

To support applicants, the Buildings Tech Lab will host a virtual information session with DOB staff and leadership on October 10 at 1:00 PM ET. The session will highlight the benefits of participating in the Lab and provide practical guidance to help strengthen proposals. Sign up for the Buildings Tech Lab newsletter to receive the latest updates on application deadlines, upcoming events, and program news.

The BTL recently released “proof of concept” results for its successful inaugural class, demonstrating how the eight participating companies worked to accelerate innovation in construction, safety, and sustainability in New York City’s built environment.

Maria Gotsch, President and CEO of the Partnership Fund for New York City, said, “The Buildings Tech Lab and our other innovation labs reflect New York City’s commitment to harnessing innovation to meet the challenges of a growing and evolving city. By bringing forward new ideas and technologies, we are not only improving safety and efficiency today but also shaping a smarter, more resilient city for generations to come.”

Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said, “After seeing firsthand how the impressive technologies of the first cohort of companies could boost our enforcement operations, cut wait times, and improve our service for New Yorkers, we were more than excited to run it back with a second annual innovation competition. The public-private collaboration of the Buildings Tech Lab, created with the support of the Partnership Fund for New York City, is helping us lay the groundwork for a new era at DOB with even more proactive programs to protect public safety, preserve quality of life, and promote compliant development around the city.”

Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said, “The Buildings Tech Lab offers innovative companies an accelerated pathway to closely collaborate with a vital government agency at scale. We look forward to partnering with the DOB and participating companies to advance new technologies that strengthen safety, sustainability, and efficiency in construction while driving lasting impact across New York City.”

About the Buildings Tech Lab

The Buildings Tech Lab (BTL) was launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) to apply new technology solutions to accelerate innovation in construction, safety, and sustainability in New York City’s built environment.

The BTL is part of the Partnership Fund for New York City’s “Technology in the Public Interest” strategy, which aims to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively. In addition to the BTL, the Partnership Fund operates the Transit Tech Lab (TTL), established in 2018 in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and expanded in 2019 to include the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of NY and NJ; and the Environmental Tech Lab (ETL), established in 2023 in partnership with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

About the New York City Department of Buildings

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) plays a critical role in shaping New York City's unique built environment. As the primary regulator of NYC’s construction and real estate industries, DOB is committed to promoting safety on construction sites and the City's more than 1.1 million buildings, all while fostering development to provide housing and commercial spaces for the City's growing population. Through meticulous review and approval of building plans, streamlined permitting and licensing processes, and rigorous inspections, DOB enhances the quality of life for all New Yorkers by delivering equitable services across all five boroughs.

About the Partnership Fund for New York City

The Partnership Fund for New York City is the $130 million investment arm of the Partnership for New York City, dedicated to mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. The Fund invests in entrepreneurs and innovators in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who contribute to building a more vibrant and inclusive New York City economy. As an “evergreen” fund, realized gains are continuously reinvested. A key focus of the Fund is the application of new technology that serves the public interest. 

The Partnership Fund Board is led by co-chairs Tarek Sherif and Neil Blumenthal. Maria Gotsch is the Fund’s President and CEO. More information about the Fund can be found at partnershipfundnyc.org.