The FutuMed program prioritizes solutions in four areas: mobility, health, security, and circular economy.
With a record allocation of up to COP 6 billion, double last year’s funding, Ruta N has opened the call for applications for the second cohort of the Pay-for-Results track under the FutuMed program, an initiative aimed at developing and validating technologies in real-world settings.
Applications will be open until May 30 at rutanmedellin.org. Startups, companies, consortia, research centers, and universities are eligible to apply to test their solutions in the District’s first Special Treatment Zone (ZTE).
“This is an opportunity for everyone, because public resources are being allocated to experiment and develop their businesses, enabling them to become globally relevant and bring their technologies forward,” said Simón Arango Velásquez, Smart Cities Lead at Ruta N.
This year, the program maintains its Pay-for-Results model—an innovative mechanism in Colombia that disburses funds only upon the achievement of predefined milestones, ensuring transparency and effectiveness in public investment for innovation. Under this scheme, selected projects receive an initial disbursement of up to 20% to launch their initiatives, with subsequent payments tied to the completion of verifiable experimental milestones.
Each proposal must include a clear hypothesis, a structured experimental design, measurable performance indicators, and a roadmap of evaluable milestones. Selected projects will have up to 14 months for implementation.
Solutions must address four strategic sectors for the District: mobility, circular economy, health, and security, areas in which Medellín aims to accelerate the deployment of technologies with social, environmental, and economic impact.
FutuMed operates as an urban living lab within a 1.8-square-kilometer intervention area in northern Medellín, where solutions are tested under real conditions. Its goal is to position the District as a benchmark in applied experimentation by fostering collaboration among industry, academia, government, and citizens.
With this new call, the District continues to strengthen a model that connects public investment, science, and technology to accelerate solutions addressing the city’s challenges and improve quality of life.