Bentley Systems, NXT BLD Launch NXT Activate Accelerator for AEC Startups
The accelerator will support startups developing software solutions aimed at addressing key industry challenges such as data silos and workflow inefficiencies across design, construction and operations.
NXT Activate is designed as a technology-agnostic programme, allowing startups to build on open standards like IFC and 3D Tiles or proprietary platforms while remaining eligible for funding and support. The initiative aims to encourage innovation across the AEC technology ecosystem without restricting companies to a single software platform.
Initially seeded by Bentley Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Bentley Systems, NXT Activate will launch with a commitment of up to $3 million over a three-year term. This capital will be deployed annually across cohorts of six to eight startups, with the first cohort scheduled for autumn 2026. The consortium is designed to expand with the addition of future strategic sponsors and investment members.
Martyn Day, director of NXT BLD and publisher of AEC Magazine, commented: “For 10 years, NXT BLD has been at the forefront of the industry’s shift toward the cloud, AI, and data-centric workflows. The next generation of essential AEC tools will come from an agile, startup-driven culture. We are ecstatic to work with Bentley to find the next generation of tool makers and software firms. With NXT Activate we have the means to back them. This is deliberately not a single-vendor programme. We will support companies working on open standards and proprietary platforms, because that diversity is what makes the AEC software ecosystem credible.”
“A vibrant and diverse developer ecosystem is essential for the future of infrastructure,” said James Lee, Chief Operating Officer at Bentley Systems. “Through Bentley Ventures and as a founding investment member of NXT Activate, we are directly funding the community that will build the next generation of infrastructure digital twin applications. Whether they build on open standards like 3D Tiles or on platforms like iTwin, we are committed to empowering the innovators who are creating transformative solutions for the built and natural environment.”
Published on:
15 May 2026
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