What is QBE AcceliCITY?
QBE AcceliCITY, powered by Leading Cities and the QBE Foundation, champions high-impact startups that are shaping the future of urban resilience and livability. By tackling today’s most pressing challenges—from climate resilience to humanitarian innovation—QBE AcceliCITY provides entrepreneurs with the funding, mentorship, and real-world opportunities needed to turn bold ideas into lasting impact.
Which challenge aligns with your solution?
Resilience Challenge
Humanitarian Challenge
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
Find the Challenge That Fits Your Innovation
Innovation thrives when matched with the right opportunity. QBE AcceliCITY offers two specialized challenges—one focused on urban resilience and the other on humanitarian technology. Choose the track that aligns with your mission and start making an impact today.
$100,000 USD Grand Prize and three $25,000 prizes
Open to all resilience-focused startups, regardless of industry
Focuses on broad urban resilience, sustainability, and infrastructure solutions
We’re looking for startups developing scalable, technology-driven solutions that support urban resilience, sustainability, or infrastructure innovation—helping communities of all sizes become more adaptive and future-ready. Whether you're addressing challenges like climate adaptation, mobility, smart infrastructure, or property technology, your work should have the potential for long-term impact. Ideal applicants are those whose solutions are designed to integrate into municipal systems and partner with city leaders, policymakers, and urban planners to drive meaningful change.
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.
QBE AcceliCITY Benefits
Direct access to city leaders & NGOs looking to implement real solutions
World-class mentorship from industry experts, city leaders & past winners
Chances to pilot projects in cities worldwide to validate and scale technology
Global exposure through QBE, Leading Cities, and Humanitech networks
Exclusive access to innovation conferences and programs worldwide
Why QBE AcceliCITY?
We're not just another accelerator program. When you join QBE AcceliCITY, you become part of a global movement transforming how cities and communities address their most pressing challenges.
Our alumni don't just develop ideas—they implement them. From Gravity Water's clean water solutions to WEO's satellite analytics, our participants are making measurable impact in markets worldwide.
Meet our Alumni
Alumni Testimonials
Ready to Change the World?
The future of resilient and sustainable communities depends on collaborative, technology-driven solutions—and your innovation could be the missing piece.
Join the 700+ startups that applied last year and position your venture at the forefront of global innovation.
Discover the Resilience Challenge
Discover the Humanitarian Challenge