Introducing:
The QBE AcceliCITY Top 100 Resilience Solutions
Adasky Ltd
Smart City AR/VR
Adasky delivers cutting-edge thermal sensing tech for vehicles & smart cities - enhancing safety, visibility, and performance 24/7.
Aiki Incorporated
Cloud Technology
AikiSafe unites schools, buildings & insurers on one cloud platform for faster, coordinated crisis response; breaking silos and saving lives.
Airbuild Inc
Environment
Airbuild Pods are ground-installed units that clean water, capture carbon, and run on solar, building climate resilience for cities.
Airqoon
Environment
Airqoon offers affordable air quality networks for cities, enabling data-driven decisions to boost public health and resilience.
Algotive
Artificial Intelligence
An Agentic AI that automatically detects and tracks objects based on characteristics and behaviors across wide video surveillance networks.
Altered Carbon
Artificial Intelligence
Altered Carbon is giving a new sense to smart cities: AI-powered scent detection for cleaner, safer, and more proactive urban environments.
Astrikos.ai
Artificial Intelligence
Astrikos.ai powers Smart Infrastructure with AI-driven platforms for cities, data centers & industry. Scalable. Sustainable. Global.
Aurassure Private Limited
Internet of Things
Aurassure delivers AI-powered, real-time climate insights to help cities predict, plan, and act against rising environmental risks.
Be One to Give Inc
Environment
Be One to Give is a tech-based food recovery service on a mission to eliminate avoidable food waste and increase food access across Canada.
Bingo Tech
Mobility/Transportation
A shopify-style platform & marketplace providing turnkey solutions electrify & manage light EV delivery fleets.
BlueShift
Cleantech
BlueShift produces critical minerals while healing the ocean using breakthroughs in electrochemistry.
ByFusion
Smart Waste
ByFusion repurposes plastic waste into ByBlocks, a sustainable building material, enhancing urban resilience and landfill diversion.
Coulomb Technology
Smart City AR/VR
Coulomb Technology is a US startup developing safe, low-cost sodium/zinc-ion batteries for energy storage. First customers attained.
DePIN Systems (AquaSave)
Smart Water
Aquasave stands out by innovating in sustainable water management with a device that generates savings and water footprint certificates.
Eagleridge Innovations Corporation
Cleantech
Our MicroPoP technology enables full conversion of waste activated solids into biogas and chemical fertilizers, with zero solids residuals.
EcoClaim Solutions Inc.
Property Tech
EcoClaim: AI-driven carbon intelligence platform for insurance companies. We turn property claims into climate action.
ElectroTempo, Inc.
Machine Learning
ElectroTempo is a SaaS company that specializes in forecasting EV charging demand, and optimizing infrastructure & operations to support it.
EnKoat
Property Tech
EnKoat's IntelliKoat extends roof life by 10+ years and cuts energy use 25-30% with a smart, climate-adaptive coating system.
Enline
Artificial Intelligence
Enline is a leading provider of sensor-less digital twin technology and AI-driven solutions for electrical assets.
EQORE
Artificial Intelligence
EQORE offers full-service intelligent energy storage to help businesses minimize electricity costs without any change in operations.
Fill In The Blank
Smart City AR/VR
The Real-Time Intelligence Layer for the Built World; turning everyday 2D imagery into ground-truth data for smarter, faster decisions.
Footprint Project
Clean Energy
Footprint Project deploys clean energy to power communities in crisis, replacing fossil fuel generators with sustainable solutions.
Goodr.co
Smart Health
Goodr uses tech to fight hunger by redirecting surplus food to those in need; cutting waste and feeding communities sustainably.
GraphenePioneer
Cleantech
Graphene-enhanced concrete for 30% cement reduction, CO₂ savings, lower construction costs, and stronger, longer-lasting infrastructure.
Green Independence
Clean Energy
We make water purification energy positive and green energy cheaper than fossil fuels; local, solar-powered, and ready to scale.
Grupo empresarial oyc SAS
Mobility/Transportation
Oasis innovative business and investment model is over taking the slow pace of companies and government deploying charging infrastructure.
Harmony Desalting
Smart Water
Harmony makes the most energy-efficient modular water treatment systems delivering clean affordable water.
Hydroplane Ltd.
Clean Energy
Hydroplane has developed a modular, compact, and affordable, hydrogen fuel cell power plant for mobile energy generation and propulsion.
Infrared City
Environment
AI-powered environmental simulations to streamline scalable, and transparent decision-making for urban design and the built environment.
KaCyber Technologies
Smart City AR/VR
KaCyber is building tech that simplifies life for commuters in Africa by providing cashless and user-friendly transit payment systems.
Kinnami Software Corporation
Communication Technology
Kinnami enables resilient smart cities with AmiShare; a secure data mesh ensuring real-time, trusted data at the digital edge.
Kumulus
Smart Water
Kumulus is the water utility company of the future. Our machines turn air into fresh drinking water by mimicking dew process.
Latitudo 40
Smart Governance
Latitudo 40 uses satellite data and AI to power smarter, climate-resilient cities with real-time risk insights and predictive urban planning
LYNEports
Big Data and Analytics
AI-powered Airside planning and design software for AEC & Aviation, shaping today the next era of aviation.
Meep
Big Data and Analytics
Meep empowers cities with AI-driven analytics to unify, optimize & predict mobility; making transport smarter, greener & more humane.
Mercurio Analytics
Artificial Intelligence
Mercurio Analytics transforms state & local governments do more with less through our future-proof data management and analytics solution.
MeshPower Ltd
Mobility/Transportation
Smart, user-friendly EV charging tailored for Rwanda's grid. Adaptable, interactive, and with easy mobile payments for citywide access.
Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc.
Environment
Neptune upcycles seafood waste into biodegradable nanocrystals that replace plastic and toxic chemicals in packaging and materials.
neurobotx
Smart City AR/VR
Boeing-backed smart city simulator for sustainable transportation across air, land & sea; driving future mobility resilience
NEXQT
Environment
AI-powered platform to track energy consumption & CO₂ emissions, target reduction, measure impact at neighborhood, road and building levels.
NoorNation
Clean Energy
NoorNation's LifeBox: a plug & play solar system delivering clean water & power to remote areas. Faster, cleaner, smarter climate resilience.
Novac
Cleantech
Novac builds high-performance supercapacitors to boost battery systems in EVs, FCEVs and grids; fast, safe, and sustainable.
OPEN Technologies
Environment
OPEN exists to decarbonize buildings, with AI-enabled tools to create retrofit pathways 10x faster & cheaper than engineer-led studies.
Permalution
Cleantech
Cloud & fog water collection technology. We technically milk clouds and we can collect up to three times more water than with rain.
Pikare Skysource
Smart Water
We support a sustainable future through our off-grid technology that pulls clean water, electricity, and H-VAC from the air and sun.
RCOAST
Environment
RCOAST is a climate adaptation tech startup helping coastal communities address erosion and flood risks through 3D change analysis.
Reon Technology, Inc
Cleantech
REON uses AI to optimize and automate battery and microgrid systems, realize 2-4x greater asset usable capacity and improve investment return.
ROCK.IT LLC
Artificial Intelligence
Building City-as-a-Service platform, that consists of web platform for city authorities and mobile app for residents and visitors with access to urban information
Sesame Solar, Inc.
Clean Energy
Sesame Solar is revolutionizing clean mobile power for off-grid operations—with no fuel supply chain required—powered by solar + hydrogen + battery storage.
Solfium Inc.
Clean Energy
Solfium helps companies deploy (install), measure & report the impact (decarbonization and savings) of solar energy across their value chain.
Solumar
Cleantech
We are launching a new product that reduces air pollution in Cities and advertises the business. Supported by BP and Masdar UAE.
SunTrain, Inc.
Clean Energy
We solve inadequate transmission by moving stored energy in battery railcars linking cities to renewable generation via existing railroads.
SYNCHROS
Property Tech
SYNCHROS is a company specializing in space-climate technologies offering technological solutions to environmental challenges.
The Routing Company
Mobility/Transportation
The Routing Co. powers smart cities with advanced transit tech, moving more people with fewer vehicles to boost equity and efficiency.
True Flood Risk
Property Tech
Patented AI-powered platform delivering structure-specific flood insights to fuel smarter underwriting, mitigation, and resilience.
TileGreen Tech
Building Technology
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for new generation of circular, economic, and durable building materials from unrecyclable plastic waste.
Verde Compacto México
Agriculture
Verde Compacto designs, builds, and operates indoor vertical container farms with sustainable tech to grow fresh food all year round.
Vox Aeris
Environment
Vox Aeris makes high-grade air filtration scalable by using sound to cut pressure drop, energy use, and retrofit costs in buildings.
Watergate
Internet of Things
Watergate detects leaks, saves water, and drives sustainable change - helping property owners cut costs and protect the planet.
WAVR Technologies, Inc.
Smart Water
WAVR's atmospheric water harvesting systems generate sustainable pure water in arid climates at a fraction of the cost of current systems.
Wozo Lab Group
Artificial Intelligence
Wozo Lab cities transforms waste into eco-materials using blockchain and AI, empowering communities in Haiti with sustainable solutions.
Xcential
Cloud Technology
Xcential modernizes lawmaking with XML-based tools that boost accuracy, efficiency, and transparency for governments worldwide.
A One-Of-A-Kind Accelerator:
Where Innovation Meets Impact
Innovators are building the solutions communities urgently need—but access to city partners is slow, and implementation takes time startups can’t spare. While cities move cautiously, startups must move fast—driven by funding deadlines, traction goals, and the need to prove real-world impact. Too often, transformative solutions stay sidelined, lacking the visibility and credibility to grow.
That’s why the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge exists. Powered by Leading Cities and the QBE Foundation, this global accelerator connects high-impact startups with the funding, mentorship, and partnerships to turn innovation into action. This challenge doesn’t just recognize great ideas—it deploys them where they’re needed most. Learn more about how QBE AcceliCITY is scaling innovation for global impact.
Learn more about QBE AcceliCITY
Since its inception, Leading Cities has directly supported, mentored, and provided growth opportunities to hundreds of startups, driving real-world impact through innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.
Our start-ups
have earned
Over $1.5 Billion
Our start-ups have created
Over 21,370 jobs
Our Start-Ups Have Raised
Over $2.2 Billion
Leading Cities Impact
What is the QBE Resilience Challenge?
The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge is a virtual global start-up accelerator designed to identify, accelerate, and implement groundbreaking solutions that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from the growing risks of climate change, infrastructure failures, and urban challenges.
Powered by Leading Cities and the QBE Foundation, this challenge connects visionary startups with the funding, mentorship, and real-world city partnerships needed to turn bold ideas into tangible impact. Startups don’t just compete for non-equity prize money—they gain direct access to municipal leaders eager to deploy innovative solutions that make communities more resilient, sustainable, and future-ready.
Who should Apply?
Strengthens communities, infrastructure, or the environment.
Funding, mentorship, and connections to global city leaders
A real-world
impact with your sustainable
solution
Four Prizes, One Global Stage
The AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge is a single competition, but upon application, startups have the opportunity to be considered for four prizes: the $100,000 Grand Prize for overall resilience innovation, two $25,000 People's Choice Awards, and the $25,000 PropTech Prize, dedicated to sustainable, loss mitigation solutions for the commercial property sector. We are searching for innovations that can identify or minimize potential hazards more quickly, lessen the effects of property damage, reduce business disruption or home evacuation caused by property damage, and offer other creative solutions for property insurance and sustainability.
Participants considered for the PropTech Prize will follow the full Resilience Challenge curriculum—gaining access to mentorship, networking, and city partnerships—while also benefiting from exclusive PropTech-focused sessions and tailored support from QBE experts. This includes customized guidance in areas such as operations, access to data and analytics, use cases, and insights from QBE Ventures, Underwriting, Actuarial, CAT Modeling, and Risk. All PropTech applicants are also automatically considered for the $100,000 Grand Prize and pre-paid pilot opportunity.
Startups can apply for both prizes in their application, ensuring they are considered for all available opportunities to scale their impact. Discover the two prizes:
$100,000 USD Grand Prize to implement a city pilot
Open to all resilience-focused startups, regardless of industry
Focuses on broad urban resilience, sustainability, and infrastructure solutions
The Resilience Prize is awarded to a resilience-focused startup and provides $100,000 of non-equity capital to fund a pilot project. Open to all community-impact solutions, this prize supports innovations that strengthen urban sustainability, infrastructure, and climate adaptation while offering mentorship, city partnerships, and global exposure.
The Top 100 Solutions Will Receive
Access to the First Virtual Incubator for Smart & Resilient Solutions
Discover LaunchPad 11
The AcceliCITY Top 100 Resilience Solutions will receive a free one-year membership to LaunchPad 11, 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.
But what does this mean for you?
Direct Access to City Leaders
& Industry Experts
Exclusive Networking & Collaboration Opportunities
Ongoing
Support After the Challenge
Join the Resilience Challenge From Anywhere in the World
To make AcceliCITY accessible to innovators worldwide, we run the program in two divisions based on geographic regions. Each division accepts 50 startups, ensuring that 100 high-impact entrepreneurs receive the same world-class programming, mentorship, and opportunities—at times that work best for their region.
Regardless of division, all participants go through the same curriculum, engage with expert mentors, and gain access to city leaders and industry networks. This structure allows startups from across the globe to participate without time zone barriers while fostering regional collaboration.
June - November
Sessions happen every Tuesday from 10 AM - 11 AM EST (UTC -5)
Regions best suited for this timezone: North America, South America, Europe and West Africa
June - November
Sessions happen every Tuesday from 1 PM - 2 PM AEDT (UTC +11)
Regions best suited for this timezone: Asia, Australia & Oceania, Middle East and East Africa
What is my timezone?
The QBE AcceliCITY
Resilience Challenge Curriculum
Featured Program Speakers
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
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
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.
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
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
Program Timeline
The entire QBE AcceliCITY program is conducted virtually over 6 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 as judges, the QBE AcceliCITY program propels participants toward greater and faster successes.
1. 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.
2. City Partner Certification
Year-long Access
Our certified curriculum is designed for smart city innovators, providing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Readiness certification upon completion. Led by international experts, these weekly sessions cover critical topics like navigating public procurement, winning no-bid government contracts, and securing smart city investors, equipping startups with the tools to scale and succeed.
3. SmartUp Week
September
SmartUp Week is a signature feature of the AcceliCITY program, where the Top 50 startups are matched with one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions led by experts from the global Smart and Resilient City ecosystem. Each session provides tailored guidance, industry insights, and potential connections that help entrepreneurs strengthen their solutions and accelerate their impact.
4. Top 10 Solutions Selected
September
At the conclusion of SmartUp Week, the Top 10 solutions are selected to advance to the final round of the AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge. These finalists are chosen based on a comprehensive evaluation of their business plan, financial models, pitch delivery, and proposed city pilot. They move forward with greater visibility, deeper support, and the opportunity to compete for funding and pilot implementation.
5. Virtual Boot Camp
October
Selected startups move on to participate in a virtual boot camp, an intensive week of hands-on workshops designed to equip teams with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to succeed in the competitive Smart and Resilient City space. From refining business models to strengthening public-private partnership strategies, this experience helps startups sharpen their approach and prepare for real-world implementation and growth.
6. Pitch Competition
November
The Resilience Challenge culminates with a virtual final pitch event where Finalists pitch their solution to a board of global experts in charge of determining the winners. Past judges include leaders from the World Economic Forum, the Clinton Global Initiative, the United Nations, and Arsht Rockefeller Resilience Center.
What We Offer
Winning a competition is one thing—creating real impact is another. In the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, we provide more than funding; we offer the connections, expertise, and opportunities that turn bold ideas into city-implemented solutions.
Through direct access to municipal leaders, world-class mentorship, and a global ecosystem of investors and innovators, we help startups navigate public-private partnerships, secure pilots, and scale their solutions where they matter most. Even after the challenge ends, our network ensures that your innovation doesn’t stop at recognition—it gets deployed.
Direct Access to City Leaders & Decision-Makers
Exclusive Networking & Collaboration Opportunities
Expert Mentorship & Business Support
$100,000 Grand Prize &
Three $25,000 Specialty Prizes
Pilot & Implementation Opportunities
Certified Curriculum & PPP Readiness Training
Global Visibility & Media Exposure
Ongoing Support Beyond the Challenge
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.