NXT BLD and Bentley Systems Launch NXT Activate Accelerator to Back the Next Generation of AEC Software Innovators

Key Terms

open standards technical

Open standards are publicly documented rules and formats that let different products, systems or companies work together without special permission, like using the same plug and socket so any appliance fits any outlet. For investors, they matter because they lower the risk of a product being locked to one supplier, increase potential markets and competition, and can speed adoption of technologies that boost sales or cut costs.

ifc technical

IFC stands for the International Finance Corporation, a global development lender that invests in private companies in emerging markets. For investors, IFC involvement is like having a respected guarantor or experienced partner on a project: it can bring credibility, reduce perceived risk, and often helps unlock additional funding and stronger governance, which can improve the chances of a project's success and protect long‑term value.

3d tiles technical

3D tiles are a way of breaking large three-dimensional maps or models into many smaller chunks that can be sent, loaded and shown on-demand, like loading one brick at a time from a huge 3D Lego set. For investors, this matters because the technology determines how efficiently companies can deliver virtual city models, digital twins, augmented reality or simulation services, affecting performance, server costs, user experience and the scalability of related products.

proprietary platforms technical

Proprietary platforms are company-owned systems, software, technology or networks that deliver a service or product unique to that firm and not available to competitors. They matter to investors because unique platforms can create steady revenue, higher margins and customer loyalty—like a store’s layout or a restaurant’s secret recipe that keeps customers coming back—so strong proprietary platforms often boost a company’s competitive edge and long-term value.

equity stake financial

An equity stake is the portion of ownership in a company represented by holding its shares, like owning a slice of a pie where the size of your slice determines your claim on profits and decision-making power. For investors it matters because the size and type of that stake affect potential returns, influence over company strategy, exposure to risk, and vulnerability to dilution if more shares are issued.

sdks technical

Software Development Kits (SDKs) are bundles of tools, code samples and instructions that let other developers add a company’s technology to their own apps or devices, like giving builders a prefabricated toolbox. For investors, SDKs matter because they help spread a product’s use faster, lower integration costs for partners, and can drive recurring revenue or user growth—signals that a technology is gaining market traction.

digital twin technical

A digital twin is a live virtual replica of a physical asset, process, or system that mirrors real-world behavior using data and models so users can test changes, predict problems, and measure performance without touching the real thing. For investors, digital twins matter because they can lower maintenance costs, speed product development, improve uptime and reliability, and make future cash flows and risks easier to forecast — like using a flight simulator to safely train and tune a real airplane.

New programme opens with $3 million in funding and dedicated mentorship to early-stage companies building on both open and proprietary platforms

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today at the NXT BLD conference, founding partners NXT BLD and infrastructure engineering software company, Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), announced the launch of NXT Activate, a developer-focused accelerator for early-stage companies building transformative software for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors.

Martyn Day, director of NXT BLD and publisher of AEC Magazine, announced in partnership with Bentley Systems the launch of NXT Activate, a developer-focused accelerator for early-stage companies building transformative software for the AEC sectors. (Image courtesy of Bentley Systems)

The accelerator will back startups that are creating applications to solve the industry’s most critical challenges by breaking down data silos and unlocking more efficient workflows from design through operation.

The programme is uniquely designed to support startups, regardless of the technology they choose to build on. Whether a company is building on open standards, such as IFC or 3D Tiles, or leveraging proprietary platforms they are eligible for funding. This core principle ensures the accelerator supports the best new ideas in the industry, rather than limiting startups to a single vendor's technology.

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.”

What Startups Receive
Each cohort participant is eligible for up to $200,000 in investment in exchange for a fixed equity stake. Beyond capital, NXT Activate provides an invaluable strategic advantage:

• Domain Expertise: Interact with domain experts relevant to challenges cohort participants are seeking to solve.
• Direct Technical Access: Deep integration support with the founding members’ platforms, SDKs, and technical teams.
• User Validation: Programme-led introductions to enterprise and industry players.
• Industry-Scale Visibility: Potential exposure on the influential stages of NXT BLD, NXT DEV, and other annual industry forums where the AEC industry’s largest firms and contractors gather to evaluate emerging technology.

Investment decisions will be made jointly by a committee of the programme’s founding and investment members. NXT BLD and AEC Magazine will retain full editorial independence.

Call for Applications
NXT Activate will begin accepting applications in summer 2026 from early-stage startups and developer teams focused on software solutions for the built and natural environment. The sixteen-week programme is designed to provide a direct path from concept to commercialisation through capital, platform integration, and user validation.

Application details will be published at NXTActivate.com.

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About NXT BLD and AEC Magazine
NXT BLD, organized by AEC Magazine, is the premier conference and exhibition focused on next-generation technology for the built environment. It brings together the most innovative thinkers, practitioners, and technology developers to explore the future of architecture, engineering, and construction. AEC Magazine is a leading global publication that has been at the forefront of AEC technology for over two decades, providing essential news, analysis, and insights to a worldwide audience.

About Bentley Systems
Around the world, infrastructure professionals rely on software from Bentley Systems to help them design, build, and operate better and more resilient infrastructure for transportation, water, energy, cities, and more. Founded in 1984 by engineers for engineers, Bentley is the partner of choice for engineering firms and owner-operators worldwide, with software that spans engineering disciplines, industry sectors, and all phases of the infrastructure lifecycle. Through our digital twin solutions, we help infrastructure professionals unlock the value of their data to transform project delivery and asset performance.

© 2026 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. Bentley, the Bentley logo and iTwin are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or one of its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260514272529/en/

For more information, contact:
NXT BLD Press: Martyn Day, martyn@x3dmedia.com
Bentley Press: Chris Phillips, pr@news.bentley.com
Bentley Investors: Eric Boyer, IR@bentley.com

Source: Bentley Systems, Incorporated