$175K in Non-Equity Funding to Scale Urban Resilience Solutions Globally

$175K in Non-Equity Funding to Scale Urban Resilience Solutions Globally

As climate change accelerates the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, cities around the world are facing mounting pressure to strengthen their resilience infrastructure. According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the world now experiences an average of 130 natural disasters per week—a staggering 18-fold increase from the year 2000.

In response to this global crisis, the 2025 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, powered by Leading Cities, is now accepting applications. Offering $175,000 in non-equity funding, the challenge supports early-stage companies building scalable, real-world solutions that improve community resilience, sustainability, and urban risk management.

A Critical Moment for Innovation in Urban Resilience

The challenge arrives at a time when resilience planning is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Disasters such as wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather are disrupting cities, displacing populations, and driving up global insured losses, which reached an estimated $145 billion in 2024 alone.

The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge aims to move beyond ideas and into action. By identifying and scaling smart city and property technology solutions that can mitigate risks, protect infrastructure, and reduce disruption, the program addresses the most pressing challenges at the intersection of climate adaptation, urban systems, and technology.

What Makes QBE AcceliCITY Different?

Unlike traditional accelerators, QBE AcceliCITY is deeply focused on business-to-government (B2G) collaboration and real-world deployment. Participants benefit from:

• A B2G-focused curriculum that demystifies public procurement and public-private partnerships (PPPs)
• Weekly business mentorship led by global experts
• Direct access to city leaders, corporate partners, and investors
• A PPP certification for better government engagement
• Inclusion in the LaunchPad 11 global ecosystem
• A fully remote, intensive Boot Camp tailored for urban tech scale-ups

Selected startups don’t just pitch to win—they engage with cities that are actively looking for solutions, giving them the opportunity to pilot technologies on the ground.

Expanding Global Impact Through Targeted Prizes

Now in its seventh year, the program expands its reach in 2025 with several targeted awards:

• $100,000 Grand Prize
• $25,000 People’s Choice Awards for both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres
• $25,000 Proptech Prize, focused on property resilience and insurance innovation

The Proptech Prize specifically supports solutions that minimize property damage, reduce business interruption, and improve response to physical risk—aligning with the growing interest in technologies that bridge commercial insurance and sustainable design.

In 2024, applicants represented over 70 countries, and the program expects even broader participation this year, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest urban resilience accelerator.

Empowering Startups to Tackle Urban Risk at Scale

“We’re no longer just talking about smart cities—we’re talking about resilient cities,” says Michael Lake, President & CEO of Leading Cities. “The future depends on deploying innovation where it’s needed most, and doing it now. This challenge isn’t just about funding; it’s about getting real solutions into real communities.”

Startups accepted into the challenge gain access to a robust global network of decision-makers, deployment opportunities, and the guidance needed to overcome the unique challenges of scaling in the public sector—often a significant barrier for early-stage companies in the IIoT and urban tech space.

Apply by April 30, 2025

Applications for the 2025 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge are open until April 30, 2025. Entrepreneurs developing smart city solutions focused on urban risk, infrastructure resilience, sustainability, and equity are encouraged to apply.

For full details and to submit an application, visit:
www.AcceliCITY.com.

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