Accelerating and elevating the world's most innovative and impactful solutions addressing resiliency, equity, and sustainability in our communities.

Nominate a Company

Mentor Application

Meet our 2023 AcceliCITY Champions

Chosen from over 650 startups originating from over 80 countries, these three companies have proven their commitment to resilience and sustainability, becoming the recipients of the $100,000 or $25,000 prizes.

Specialty Track Winner

Syrinx

Grand Prize Winner

Itselectric

Specialty Track Winner

Intelligent AI

Introducing:

The AcceliCITY Top 100 Resilience Solutions

Our Commitment

AcceliCITY is a global program that seeks out the best and brightest entrepreneurs who are working on solutions that address the challenges of urban living. Our focus is on smart city solutions that tackle risk, equity, and sustainability in cities around the world.

Our goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to turn their ideas into successful businesses. We believe that by leveraging technology and innovation, we can create more livable, equitable, and sustainable cities for all.

What We Offer


The QBE AcceliCITY program offers access to pilot projects, funding, B2G education, and a global ecosystem. Additionally, we take a hands-on approach to mentorship, providing entrepreneurs with personalized guidance and support to help them grow and scale their businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your company to the next level, we're here to help you succeed.

Program Benefits

Up to $200,000 in cash and paid pilots

Frequently Asked Questions

QBE AcceliCITY by the Numbers

$1 Billion Raised

Since our launch in 2018, the total funding QBE AcceliCITY Alumni have raised now exceeds $1 billion!

70+ Countries

QBE AcceliCITY is a global program with hundreds of applicants from countries around the world.

The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge


In these difficult times, we recognize a need to build more resilient and risk-averse cities. To help toward that end, we have developed a unique collaboration to encourage entrepreneurs across the world whose ventures can effectively manage and respond to an evolving environment of physical, economic, and social risk.

One AcceliCITY, Two Divisions


With applicants and solutions sourced all over the world, the AcceliCITY program divides itself into two divisions; the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.


Events in the AcceliCITY West division are coordinated using EST (Boston Time), while the AcceliCITY East division operates on AEDT (Sydney Time).


When applying, take care to understand the differences in these times to select the division that fits best with your available schedule.


What is my time zone?

Gain Access to the First Virtual

Incubator for Smart City Solutions

The AcceliCITY Top 100 Resilience Solutions will receive a free one-year membership to LaunchPad 11, the world's first virtual Smart City cluster where cities, investors, and solution providers converge. All AcceliCITY curriculum and networking events will take place on LaunchPad 11, providing participants with an array of powerful opportunities.

Virtual Clustering

Discover the benefits of knowledge spillovers and finding the right connections through LaunchPad 11's unique virtual clustering opportunities

City Connections

LaunchPad 11 hosts an array of city-focused events, in which officials from cities around the world network with start-ups and discuss urban challenges and innovative solutions.

Mentorship

Gain access to an array of vetted global experts eager to build your business in areas such as marketing, fundraising, and networking.

Sample Curriculum

Discover a valuable lineup of topics presented by global experts from within the Leading Cities ecosystem.


Securing Investors

Julie Lein

Urban Innovation Fund

Product Management

Michael Mahan

Schneider Electric

Navigating Public Procurement

Andrew Watkins

MarketPlace.city

Understanding Cities as Clients

Andreas Addison

City of Richmond

Effective Business Models

Michael Proman

SmartCityX

Accessing Cities

Thomas Mueller

BeeSmartCity

GovTech Tailwinds

Abhi Nemani

Ethos Labs

Infrastructure Investment

Elle Hempen

The Atlas

B2B Opportunities

Scotty Schindler

Street Smart Entrepreneur

Pilot Project Insights

Tanya Tongwaranan

Plug n' Play

Grant Writing Opportunities

Kerry Grace

Regional Development Australia

Accessing Cities as Clients

Mirel Sehic

Honeywell

Pilot Project Insights

Emily Yates

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 

Lean and Agile StartUps

Lucas Miller

QBE

Power Up Your Pitch

Danielle Duplin

FreeWind Productions

Finance & Organization

Suzanne Oakley

New England CFO Strategies

About Our Partner


QBE is an international insurer and reinsurer with a local presence in 27 countries. Founded in 1886, by two entrepreneurs who started a marine insurance company in Townsville, Australia to give early pioneers a safeguard against uncertainty. Since then, QBE has grown and evolved offering commercial, personal and specialty products and risk management solutions to help people and businesses manage risks, build strength and embrace change to their advantage. QBE's purpose is to enable a more resilient future. That's why they are excited to be partnering with Leading Cities to run the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge. Visit them at www.qbe.com to find out more about how they can help businesses like yours.


Hear from QBE AcceliCITY Alumni

Past Highlights

The entire QBE AcceliCITY program is conducted virtually over 5 months of intensive and immersive learning and growth. From our unique B2G curriculum, mentoring, and engagements with city leaders to a Distinguished panel of Global Leaders, the QBE AcceliCITY program propels participants toward greater and faster successes.

Top 100 Selected

‍In the first round of the AcceliCITY curriculum, 100 startups are chosen as semi-finalists to participate in the web-based portion of the program.

For cities, QBE AcceliCITY serves to mitigate the risk that often comes with innovation by connecting local governments with globally sourced, expert-vetted Smart & Resilient City solutions. With hundreds of applications each year, from upwards of 40 countries, QBE AcceliCITY’s vetting process serves to bring forth the best and most prepared solution providers, ready to tackle the pressing urban challenges facing cities today. Through QBE AcceliCITY, Leading Cities builds confidence in city leaders to execute innovative solutions bolstering community resilience in a time when it is needed most.