Polysolar has been selected as one of the winners of Canary Wharf Group's (CWG) global Smart Cities accelerator, the Cognicity Challenge. Polysolar was competing in a twelve-week accelerator programme at Canary Wharf under the 'Sustainable Buildings' accelerator stream.

Cognicity's accelerator programme aims to fast-track promising smart city technology businesses by providing a series of intensive workshops, expert mentoring sessions by a team of Canary Wharf specialists and business mentors, and excellent networking opportunities. At the end of the programme each entrant delivers a business plan and pitches to CWG executives, with the winning projects taken forward to the pilot stage.

The Challenge brings together a diverse range of companies, from Big Data firms to renewable energy providers, and encourages them to work in a collaborative environment. Invaluable support is also provided by Intel*, one of the world's largest blue-chip companies, who is collaborating with the Cognicity Challenge to provide best practice guidance and technology to the participants.

Polysolar has developed transparent, thin-film solar PV glass panels which can be integrated into a building's external structure to generate clean energy. Their solution can be easily retrofitted into existing buildings, as well as being integrated into new-builds.

The Cambridge-based firm has already completed projects for the Barbican and the Future Business Centre. Polysolar receives a Pounds 50,000 prize and the opportunity to pilot its ground-breaking solar energy technology in one of London's most forward-thinking districts, Canary Wharf, as part of Canary Wharf Group's ongoing commitment to adopting the next generation of technology solutions.

Sir George Iacobescu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Canary Wharf Group plc, said: "The Cognicity Challenge is helping to ensure we have access to some of the most important innovations in smart, sustainable cities. We want Canary Wharf to remain one of the most sustainable, convenient and technologically advanced 'cityscapes' in the world, and the Cognicity Challenge is helping us improve even further our unique approach to property development. With Cognicity we are very pleased to be playing a key role in moving smart cities from concept to reality."

Keynote speaker and former MP Dan Byles, founding Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smart Cities, and until recently a member of the Science and Technology Select Committee, commented: "It is fantastic to see innovative companies like these breaking new ground in the fields of sustainable buildings and integrated transportation. If we want a sustainable planet we need sustainable cities, and Canary Wharf Group are showing real vision and leadership in this space with programmes like the Cognicity Challenge. The Government is working closely with thought leaders like CWG and Cognicity to help support UK capability in this sector, and the UK has the opportunity to lead the world in smart city thinking and implementation."

Eric Van der Kleij, Head of Level39 and Managing Director of specialist innovation practise ENTIQ, who delivered the Cognicity Challenge for Canary Wharf Group, added: "I have never seen such a close competition. The calibre of all the participants and our winners, Polysolar and Voyage Control, is testament to the high level of talent amongst those working on innovative technologies in the smart city sector. By harnessing innovation and pushing for interoperability, the Cognicity Challenge is helping to transform Canary Wharf into a truly integrated and convenient smart city that is more functional, sustainable and ultimately a better environment to live, work and do business."

John Alker, Director of Policy and Communications, UK Green Building Council, commented: "It is wonderful to see an established company like Canary Wharf Group looking to young entrepreneurs for the next stage of development within their estate. As we move forward, issues of sustainability will become increasingly prominent and the technology sector will play an enhanced role in the design and construction of our buildings."

The final 12 companies to join the Cognicity Challenge for the Connected Home and Virtual Design and Construction accelerator streams will be announced on Monday 20 April 2015, bringing the total number of Cognicity Challenge finalists to 36.