Gravity Water Wins City Solution of the Year: Tackling Water Scarcity with Innovation
The 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, hosted by Leading Cities in partnership with QBE Insurance Group, has crowned Gravity Water as the “City Solution of the Year.” Gravity Water’s cutting-edge technology captures, filters, and stores rainwater, providing a sustainable source of safe drinking water to communities worldwide—addressing one of the most pressing global challenges: water scarcity.
“Access to safe water is not just a necessity; it is a fundamental right that millions are denied daily,” said Mike Lake, President and CEO of Leading Cities. “Nearly 2 billion people—almost a quarter of the global population—are forced to use contaminated water sources, putting lives at risk every single day. Sustainable solutions like Gravity Water’s are critical to breaking this cycle and protecting future generations.”
The Growing Crisis of Water Scarcity
With population growth and climate change intensifying pressure on limited water resources, over half of the global population is projected to live in water-stressed regions by 2050. Challenges like saltwater intrusion and flooding—common in urban areas—further threaten access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Gravity Water’s rainwater harvesting system offers a scalable and self-sufficient solution to these challenges, making clean water accessible to areas at risk of natural disasters. “We need solutions to water security that are sustainable and can reach global scale in years, not decades,” said Danny Wright, Founder and Executive Director of Gravity Water.
Recognizing Excellence in Resilience
Gravity Water won the $100,000 grand prize after an exciting Final Pitch Event, evaluated by judges like Mayuri Ghosh (Clinton Global Initiative), Jeff Merritt (World Economic Forum), and Kathryn Meng (RA Capital). Competing against over 740 innovators from 70 countries, Gravity Water also earned the Proptech Track award and a $25,000 prize for their innovative rainwater solution.
The Humanitarian Track winner, WEO, was selected for its satellite analytics platform to monitor urban climate risks. Their solution will be piloted in Dargo, Australia, in partnership with the Australian Red Cross.
About the Finalists
- Agora World – A no-code platform that enables urban planners and developers to create and manage 3D digital twins of cities, making urban design and development more efficient and accessible.
- Airbuild – A building solution that integrates carbon capture, renewable energy generation, and water filtration, making cities more sustainable and helping buildings reduce their carbon footprint.
- Biostra – A chemical-free, rapid technology that transforms organic waste into premium fertilizer, supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing waste in landfills.
- Green The Chain – A global procurement platform that connects businesses with sustainable products, helping companies reduce scope 3 emissions and meet ESG targets.
- Reef Arches – A modular, stackable wave attenuation device that protects coastlines from erosion while restoring marine habitats, providing both coastal resilience and ecological restoration.
- Taro AI – AI-powered technology that monitors and manages urban forests, helping cities reduce infrastructure damage and improve the health of trees.
- Translate Live – A real-time translation tool that bridges communication gaps for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals and people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity in cities.
- Washbox – A mobile, eco-friendly tool wash system that uses recycled water to clean construction tools, reducing water waste and providing sustainable solutions for construction sites.
- WEO – An environmental analytics platform that leverages satellite data and AI to monitor urban heat islands, flood risks, and green spaces, helping cities improve climate resilience.
The Impact of QBE AcceliCITY
Since its inception, the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge has helped alumni raise over $1 billion, enabling them to deploy smart and resilient solutions in cities worldwide. By connecting startups with local governments and end-users, the program accelerates innovation and implementation for urban resilience.
For more information on the winners and their innovative solutions, visit Leading Cities.
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