Polish startup WIDMO Spectral Technologies has won funding from the EU EIC accelerator programme to help develop subsurface scanning of entire cities. WIDMO believes its subsurface scanning technology can cut the cost and time of equipping large urban areas with smart city infrastructure with rapid, low cost access to precise data on existing urban infrastructure and geology.

Employing spectral georadar based on SGPR technology, it provides precise information on underground infrastructure and utilities as well as geological features, rapidly and at low cost. It’s approach can determine the exact location of gas pipes, waterways or electric cables at the project planning stage, geological profile and identify possible hazards.

WIDMO is receiving over EUR 5.5 million from the programme in the form of mixed financing. A grant comprises EUR 2.06 million, while the programme also invests EUR 3.5 million as equity.

Having accurate information can not only significantly reduce costs and speed up the implementation of construction projects, but also support the infrastructure management process and significantly reduce the risk associated with geohazards.

Spectral Technologies aims for the SPECTR Cities solution to be a global product. The Polish startup hopes to revolutionise the construction industry and infrastructure maintenance and enable the implementation of smart city technology in the area of subsurface information. In this way, the technology will also contribute to increasing the efficiency and resilience of cities in the context of climate change.

Spectral Technologies is the only company from Poland and one of three from Central and Eastern Europe that received funding from this year’s second spring round of the programme. A total of EUR 260 million has been awarded to 51 companies from 17 countries.

“Receiving funding from EIC Accelerator as the only company from Poland in this round is a great reason for us to be proud and motivation to develop our SPECTRUM Cities solution. The application evaluation process for this prestigious programme is extremely rigorous and thorough. The positive evaluation by the jury is a confirmation that our idea is truly groundbreaking and will bring huge benefits to cities in many areas”, said Mirosław Trześniowski, president of WIDMO Spectral Technologies.