Accelerating Innovation for Smarter, More Resilient Communities.

Discover the AcceliCITY Challenges

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

CONNECT

with clients, investors and partners

Grow

your venture’s sales readiness

WIN

Up to $200,000 in cash and paid pilots

Frequently Asked Questions

QBE AcceliCITY by the Numbers

There are many metrics Leading Cities uses to measure the impact and success of our QBE AcceliCITY program. These are but a few of the countless ways that QBE AcceliCITY has shaped entrepreneurs, ventures, and communities.

$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.

86 NPS

With a Net Promoter Score of 86, QBE AcceliCITY is considered a world-class program

Top 5

QBE AcceliCITY has been recognized as one of the Top 5 GovTech Accelerators in 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

"I'm learning how to create a proposal for a pilot project while competing for a pilot project worth $100k. It doesn't get more exciting than that!"

- Redactable

"It's a great ecosystem for startups from around the world to participate and learn."

- FortyGuard

"Definitely worthy of a founder's limited time."

- ITsimple

Martin Kravchenko

"Leading Cities has been an invaluable support to Bioo throughout all of the program. Not only was the financial support helpful, but the team was continuously trying to find opportunities for the growth of Bioo. The support after the program end was astonishing as well, with a multitude of new introductions being realized by the team. We feel grateful for all the assistance that this program provided and would love to see it grow and help more great companies.” 


Madison Savilow

“Carbon Upcycling Technologies was honored to receive the Resiliency Track cash prize which helped purchase new carbon utilization reactors that are located at the Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre and used as part of our demonstration for the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE. The support received during Leading Cities’ program was very helpful for tailoring our business model and refining our pitch. In addition to the weekly workshops, the Leading Cities team supported us in marketing our technology and was very supportive of startup development”  


Rocky Vitali

"Leading Cities has been tremendously helpful guiding and connecting us to Smart Cities looking for a simple, high-tech and sustainable parking management solution. The AcceliCITY Smart Mobility competition we won in 2019 awarded us our first Smart City contract with the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts and we could not have done it without the Leading Cities platform and network. Michael Lake and his team were there every step of the way to guide us into the world of municipal contracts and smart city solutions. Thank you Leading Cities!"  


Alexander Esposito

"Leading Cities and the AcceliCITY program was incredibly helpful for Circuit. From high level advice on navigating cities and RFP processes, to deeper dives into our pitch, story and products, we learned a lot. Circuit, an electric shuttle service, also worked on a pilot EV shuttle program on The Seaport in Boston and the team at Leading Cities has remained helpful even after the program ended. There are few organizations that face the challenge of connecting innovative start-ups with large public customers and AcceliCITY has done a great job all around."  


Aloisio Pereira da Silva

"Thanks to the guidance and support we received from Leading Cities, we improved our branding, which has been fundamental for business’ success. We have transformed our technological solution into a product with an objective business model that clearly demonstrates all the advantages of the INFRACITIES system and opportunities that it generates. Leading Cities also did a great deal to increase our visibility, especially in the USA, where INFRACITIES is in the implementation phase, thus enabling its expansion in one of the largest global markets."


Past Highlights

"... exposure to new possible customers..., Professional feedback from experts, ...Interaction with the finalists, that can lead to possible collaboration."

- Sadeem

"Accelicity is a great learning and networking experience."

- Green Stream

"... its a great conduit to cities worldwide."

- Polis

A program built to drive City Excellence through Startup Success.

Facilitates sustainable growth, resiliency, and quality of life improvements for cities around the world by addressing the critical needs of smart city startups.

What is QBE AcceliCITY?

QBE AcceliCITY is one of the Top 5 GovTech accelerators in the world. It serves as a runway for emerging urban solution providers while simultaneously reducing the risk and cost of innovation for cities.

Throughout the course of the program, teams participate in a business-to-government focused web-based curriculum, direct interaction with city leaders, free access to our virtual LaunchPad 11 global community, and an intensive Boot Camp led by international business, government, and smart city leaders. QBE AcceliCITY webinars and workshops are designed to help companies navigate the nuanced challenges of working with governments, distinguish and convey venture value, and network within an expansive Smart and Resilient City ecosystem. The program culminates with pitch events where $150,000 in city pilot opportunities are awarded.

Why Pilot Projects

Pilot Projects have proven to be the best opportunity for emerging solutions to enter the marketplace, provide a proof of concept, and build trust-based relationships with city leaders. 

Program Timeline

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

 May - June

‍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.

Web-based Curriculum

June - September

We cover a vast repertoire of essential topics specifically related to operating in the smart city industry. Webinars held twice a week are led by international business, government, and smart city leaders, and delve deep into subjects such as Navigating Public Procurement, Winning No-Bid Government Contracts, and Securing Smart City Investors.

Mentor Week

Last week of August

Semi-finalists receive one-on-one mentoring sessions with experts in entrepreneurship the global Smart and Resilient City industry. These meetings are curated by AcceliCITY so that the mentors’ expertise best matches the needs of the Semi-Finalist.

Finalists Selected

September

At the conclusion of mentor week, 10 to 15 Finalists are chosen to progress to the final round of the AcceliCITY curriculum. Finalists are chosen based on the quality of their business plan, financial models, pitch, and pilot proposal. 

Virtual Boot Camp

October

Becoming an AcceliCITY Finalist involves attending a virtual boot camp. During the boot camp week, startup team members undergo rigorous workshop exercises that are designed to outfit participants with the tools and experience needed to succeed in the competitive Smart and Resilient City market.

Pitch Competition

November

The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge culminates with a final pitch event where Finalists complete the program by pitching their solution to a board of global experts in charge of determining the winners. Past judges include leaders from the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, Arsht Rockefeller Resilience Center, and multinational corporations.

Value to Cities

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.

More information:

accelicity@leadingcities.org

Phone: +1-617-506-3499