This document discusses how disruptive technology is changing industries, focusing on urban tech startups. It outlines three major tech trends: 1) increased data from new sensors and apps, 2) advancing artificial reality through drones and simulation, and 3) expanding mobility options beyond cars like EVs and driverless shuttles. The document argues this technology will reshape lives and cities, starting with early adopters and scaling more widely over the next 5-10 years as costs come down and capabilities increase.

1. How Disruptive Tech Is Changing the Industry
Shaun Abrahamson
Managing Partner
@shaunabe

2. What We Do At Urban.Us
Invest in tech startups when they’re still quite
dangerous (22 of them so far).
Focus on tech that will make cities better - fun,
smart, sustainable & inclusive.
Work with World Economic Forum, University of
Chicago, NYC EDC & Urban X (BMW/MINI).

3. 3 Tech Trends
1. Yuuuge Data
2. Artificial Reality
3. Beyond Cars

4. Yuuuge Data
New sensors, apps and policies are creating a flood of
new public and private data.

5. We’re
just
starting
to unlock
city data

6. Ride Report gets data from people and machines to rate
the safety of every street for cyclists

7. Nextdoor knows the best neighbors

8. Artificial Reality
It’s getting easier for machines to simulate and
understand reality to improve everything from sales
to efficiency.

9. Skycatch drones
quickly build 3D
models of real
places.

10. Rachio models the real world to save water & $$$

11. Oneconcern simulates natural disasters

12. Beyond Cars
Cars shaped our lives. An explosion of tech is going to
reshape our lives again.

13. Fun & practical EVs
for short trips

14. Many efforts to remove the need for shopping trips

15. Driverless shuttle Freeway autopilot

16. How Soon?
Should we expect this tech to get from
“techies” to main street?

17. 2000 20501975 2025
Numberofcities
metros
400
600
200
bikeshare >
< rideshare
1950
smartphones >

18. How Disruptive Tech Is Changing the Industry
Shaun Abrahamson
Managing Partner
@shaunabe