Nine companies from across Asia, Europe, and the United States have been shortlisted for the Kaohsiung-ICLEI City-Business Accelerator (CiBiX). This September, these leading international companies will pitch their nature-based resilience solutions directly to Kaohsiung City representatives to accelerate Kaohsiung’s urban nature agenda through public-private exchange.

Following an international Call for Solutions, the challenge “Expanding Kaohsiung’s Green Lung” sought innovative technological and business solutions to map, maintain, and scale the city’s urban forest, enhance carbon sequestration, and leverage the co-benefits of a strong urban canopy. The shortlisted companies bring approaches that span urban forest planning and management, nature intelligence and monitoring, water management, and climate-resilient design.

The private sector has a critical role to play in translating ambitious urban nature and climate goals into implementation, bringing specialized expertise, technologies, and delivery models that can complement cities’ policy leadership. The shortlisted companies exemplify this potential, combining innovation with practical approaches already applied to complex urban and environmental challenges worldwide.

The challenge supports Kaohsiung’s broader ambition to become nature-positive by 2030. Jui-Hun Chang, Director General, Environmental Protection Bureau, City of Kaohsiung, said: “Advancing Kaohsiung’s nature agenda is essential to strengthening our city’s ecological resilience and achieving climate neutrality. We are highly enthusiastic about the chance to connect directly with pioneering companies and innovative solutions from around the world through the City-Business Accelerator, CiBiX. We look forward to welcoming innovators to Kaohsiung and working together to become a nature-positive city.”

Developed by ICLEI, the City-Business Accelerator (CiBiX) connects cities with businesses to address real-world urban sustainability challenges. After successful editions in cities across the globe, CiBiX arrives in Kaohsiung, “opening a direct line between city leaders and the global business community to accelerate solutions, technology and new business models for urban resilience,” said Dr Magash Naidoo, Head of Circular Development and Innovative Finance teams, ICLEI World Secretariat.

The following  shortlisted companies (in alphabetical order), will participate in the CiBiX workshop in Kaohsiung:

Arkadiah | Singapore

Combines satellite imagery, aerial and terrestrial LiDAR, field data and AI to measure and monitor natural and built environments at scale, from forests and urban green assets to terrain, flood risk and infrastructure.

Arup | Chinese Taipei / Global

Combines engineering, environmental science and data-driven tools to help cities address climate and nature challenges, including heat risks, urban greening and biodiversity.

CoCoTree Technology | Chinese Taipei

Combines satellite and drone data, AI and ecological information to assess carbon stocks, nature-related risks and changes in ecosystems and species.

Ding Tai Co., Ltd. / Chi Hsiang Engineering Co., Ltd. | Chinese Taipei

Develops technologies that support on-site water infiltration, storage, purification and reuse, helping address flooding, water scarcity and pollution while contributing to urban greening and heat reduction.

EcoMatcher | Hong Kong

Combines field data and digital technologies to track individual trees and forests, making their location, characteristics, and impact transparent, traceable, engaging, and accessible.

greehill  | Budapest – Singapore / Global

Uses AI and advanced 3D scanning to create detailed digital inventories of urban trees, helping cities understand tree structure and health, prioritize maintenance and manage risk.

Green Lab Asia | Chinese Taipei

Works with experts across different fields to research, analyze and scientifically design environmental concepts and develop them into prototypes ready for real-world implementation.

PlanIT Geo | United States

Combines management software, remote sensing analysis, field services and consulting to help organizations map, assess, plan for and manage urban trees and green spaces through a global partner network.

REWOOD | Chinese Taipei

Connects tree care and safety with woodworking, charcoal making, wood reuse and environmental education, creating a circular system that supports urban forest resilience and local green employment.

What happens next?

The nine shortlisted companies will come together with Kaohsiung City representatives and international experts on 2 September 2026 at Kaohsiung’s pioneering Net Zero Institute for a day-long exchange.

The CiBiX workshop moves the challenge from a global search for solutions to direct city-business engagement. By bringing shortlisted companies together with Kaohsiung City Government, international experts and public-sector partners, CiBiX aims to turn promising approaches into practical opportunities for collaboration and implementation, supporting the city’s ambition to become nature-positive.

The solutions showcased through CiBiX extend well beyond Kaohsiung. ICLEI Member cities facing similar challenges around urban greening, heat, biodiversity, resilience and nature-based solutions are encouraged to explore the shortlisted companies and consider how their approaches could support local priorities. 

This CiBiX edition is part of the Kaohsiung–ICLEI Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Community of Practice, a network of leading cities chaired by Kaohsiung and committed to achieving climate neutrality and advancing innovation and smart city strategies. By advancing infrastructure, policy and partnerships in parallel, Kaohsiung is creating a strong testing ground for innovative urban solutions.

Stay tuned for updates directly from Kaohsiung as the shortlisted companies pitch their solutions and we announce the three selected winners.