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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.

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

4. Top 10 Solutions Selected

SmartCityX

Michael Proman

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.

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.

6. Pitch Competition

Syrinx

"Leading Cities and the AcceliCITY program was incredibly helpful for Circuit.&nbsp;From high level advice on navigating cities and RFP processes, to deeper dives into our pitch, story and products, we learned a lot.&nbsp;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."&nbsp;&nbsp;

"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.

Alexander Esposito

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

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

Mentorship

"Accelicity is a great learning and networking experience."

"Accelicity is a great learning and networking experience."

Green Stream

Up to $150,000 in cash and paid pilots

In funding generously provided by QBE Winners of the People's Choice Awards are selected in October

In funding generously provided by QBE Winners of the People's Choice Awards are selected in October

This is an additional opportunity to win

People’s Choice Awards West

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

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

 Sadeem

QBE

Lucas Miller

Facebook

Ethos Labs

Abhi Nemani

 Intelligent AI

City of Richmond

Andreas Addison

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

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

86 NPS

Regional Development Australia

Kerry Grace

The Atlas

Elle Hempen

Michael Mahan

Honeywell

Mirel Sehic

GROW

“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”&nbsp;

“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

Madison Savilow

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

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

Polis

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

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

Top 5

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

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

Virtual Clustering

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.

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.

1. Top 100 Selected

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority&nbsp;

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 

Emily Yates

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.

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

2. City Partner Certification

Julie Lien

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

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

ITsimple

FreeWind Productions

Danielle Duplin

Twitter

September﻿SmartUp 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.

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.

3. SmartUp Week

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

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

$1 Billion Raised

"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.”&nbsp;

"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

Martin Kravchenko

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.

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

5. Virtual Boot Camp

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.

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.

City Connections

"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!"

"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

"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."

"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

Aloisio Pereira da Silva

New England CFO Strategies

Suzanne Oakley

BeeSmartCity

Thomas Mueller

Linkedin

Plug n' Play

Tanya Tongwaranan

﻿MarketPlace.city

Andrew Watkins

with clients, investors and partners

CONNECT

city pilot sponsorship generously provided by QBE. Winners' pilot project proposals will be featured as <a href="https://leadingcities.org/acceligov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AcceliGOV</a> competitions for cities.

city pilot sponsorship generously provided by QBE. Winners' pilot project proposals will be featured as AcceliGOV competitions for cities.

The winner of AcceliCITY will receive a

AcceliCITY Grand Prize

Street Smart Entrepreneur

Scotty Schindler

 Itselectric

"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!"&nbsp;&nbsp;

"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

Rocky Vitali

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

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

FortyGuard

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

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

70+ Countries

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4. Finalists Selected

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3. Mentor Week

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2024 - Block respiration

Meet Gravity Water, our 2024 AcceliCITY Solution of the Year

AcceliCITY is more than an accelerator—it’s a global platform for scaling sustainable, smart city solutions. By sponsoring an AcceliCITY challenge, corporations can:

Post list

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

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

QBE Accelicity Resilience Challenge

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.

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.

Meet our 2023 AcceliCITY Champions

Cities and communities are on the frontlines of global challenges, but lack access to scalable solutions.

A Sustainable Pilot Scaling Program

The QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge

Leveraging a network of global experts to evaluate and vet smart city solution providers municipalities are able to access some of the world’s leading solutions.

As part of the 'QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge Humanitarian Track' hosted by Leading&nbsp;Cities, Australian Red Cross Humanitech, and QBE Foundation are in search of&nbsp;transformative technology solutions from visionary entrepreneurs. The focus is to narrow&nbsp;the divide between data, community decision-making, and localized action.&nbsp;Access to reliable and pertinent data enables communities to identify local initiatives in&nbsp;response to climate change. However, current methods may not fully harness local&nbsp;expertise and resources vital for effective, community-led climate adaptation actions,&nbsp;often sidelining the most marginalized and vulnerable individuals.&nbsp; By participating, you have the chance to pioneer climate adaptation and resilience&nbsp;solutions, fostering community empowerment. We are committed to equipping global&nbsp;communities with essential tools to adapt to the impacts of climate change. If your solution&nbsp;can merge scientific data with local community knowledge to provide communities the&nbsp;instruments to prosper amid humanitarian challenges, we urge you to apply. The winner&nbsp;will receive access to cash prizes totaling $150,000 USD, a fully funded pilot in Australia&nbsp;collaborating with the Australian Red Cross, and integration into a global network of&nbsp;practitioners and experts. The successful program participant will have the opportunity to&nbsp;showcase their groundbreaking solutions to an international audience, gaining support and&nbsp;acknowledgment needed to cultivate an impactful and successful enterprise. This program&nbsp;is delivered alongside the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC), supported by the&nbsp;American Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent&nbsp;Societies (IFRC).

As part of the 'QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge Humanitarian Track' hosted by Leading Cities, Australian Red Cross Humanitech, and QBE Foundation are in search of transformative technology solutions from visionary entrepreneurs. The focus is to narrow the divide between data, community decision-making, and localized action. Access to reliable and pertinent data enables communities to identify

Smart Challenge Track

For Cities

Past Highlights

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 <a href="https://www.qbe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">www.qbe.com</a><a href="https://www.qbe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a>to find out more about how they can help businesses like yours.

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

About Our Partner

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.

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

What is QBE AcceliCITY?

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.

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.

Program Timeline

Resources﻿

AcceliCITY is a globally recognized smart and sustainable accelerator designed to bridge the gap between innovative startups and real-world urban challenges. By providing expert mentorship, industry connections, and direct access to city leaders, AcceliCITY helps entrepreneurs scale solutions that drive sustainability, resilience, and equitable urban development.

city pilot sponsorship generously provided by QBE. Winners' pilot project proposals will be featured as&nbsp;<a href="https://leadingcities.org/acceligov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">AcceliGOV</a>&nbsp;competitions for cities.

Cities Are at a Crossroads—Here’s How We Drive Change

At Leading Cities, we recognize that startup growth and impact require capital from both investors and clients. The AcceliCITY program connects winners with funding, a pilot project, and a pipeline of clients from cities worldwide.

At Leading Cities, we recognize that startup growth and impact require capital from both investors and clients. The AcceliCITY program connects winners with funding, a pilot project, and a pipeline of clients from cities worldwide.

Win Funded Pilot Projects And Cash Prizes

Sponsor a Challenge. Shape the Future.

Our program offers a certified curriculum designed specifically for smart city innovators. Completion of this program earns a certification in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Readiness, equipping startups with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully navigate city procurement, secure partnerships, and scale urban solutions.

Our program offers a certified curriculum designed specifically for smart city innovators. Completion of this program earns a certification in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Readiness, equipping startups with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully navigate city procurement, secure partnerships, and scale urban solutions.

Sample Curriculum

In funding generously provided by QBE Winners of the People's Choice Awards are selected in October