As part of our extensive work in mobility we found out cities are globally facing increasing pressure on their public space. Streets are overcrowded with parked cars, delivery vans and new forms of mobility. Municipalities struggle to balance these competing demands while ensuring safe, liveable, and sustainable neighbourhoods. Together with public and private partners, we set out to rethink how kerbsides could be designed and managed to unlock space, reduce congestion, and create room for people instead of parked vehicles. After finding the right product-markt fit, we decided to create a new company and Coding the Curbs B.V. became Fronteer Ventures’ first tech start-up.
As one of the two initiators, from the outset Fronteer brought stakeholders together in a unique co-creative innovation process. We worked with municipalities, mobility providers, logistics companies, and technology partners to design and test digital “smart zones” in various cities in The Netherlands. Through interactive workshops, prototyping, and pilot projects, we explored how kerbs could dynamically adapt to different needs throughout the day – from loading zones in the morning to bike parking or terraces in the evening. We went from concept to PoC (proof of concept) and start-up to becoming a scale-up with a great team of people based in B Amsterdam – the thriving tech hub and co-working space.
Right now Coding the Curbs is an Amsterdam-based company and the leading global Smart Zone operator, active in eight countries and over 25 cities. It is fast growing, doubling every year. Coding helps cities transform (un)loading bays in spaces that can be booked in advance, digitally controlled and adapt its function throughout the day. Users can easily book Smart Zone time slots via an intuitive platform. We are successful from Copenhagen to Istanbul, and from The Hague to Bucharest. We are a proud partner of EIT, the European investment organisation focused on bringing innovation to all cities in Europe.
