The 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge: A Call to Urban Innovators

The 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge: A Call to Urban Innovators

Leading Cities, in partnership with QBE, has opened the floor for the 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, inviting innovators and entrepreneurs across the globe to present their smart-city solutions aimed at enhancing urban resilience. This prestigious challenge, now in its sixth year, is a unique opportunity for pioneers in urban innovation to secure funding of up to $150,000 for a city pilot project, alongside gaining invaluable mentorship, publicity, and access to an exclusive online curriculum.

The challenge seeks to bridge the gap between groundbreaking entrepreneurial ideas and local projects that underscore innovation in urban risk management, equity, and sustainability. Reflecting on the program’s history, it’s evident that the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge has become a pivotal platform for driving significant, positive change in communities worldwide. With past participants collectively raising over $1 billion, creating more than 2,000 jobs, and filing over 225 patents, the impact of this initiative stretches far beyond the confines of the competition itself.

This year introduces two additional specialized tracks to the main Smart City challenge, aiming to address specific areas within urban innovation:

• The Proptech Track, which focuses on solutions for loss mitigation in commercial property insurance and sustainability, offering a $25,000 prize.

• The Humanitarian Track, encouraging solutions that help communities adapt to climate-related impacts, in collaboration with partners like the Australian Red Cross and offering a paid pilot in Australia as the prize.

As cities continue to face the challenges posed by climate change and urbanization, the role of such innovative solutions has never been more critical. Last year’s grand prize winner, itselectric, stands as a testament to the program’s capacity to foster impactful innovation through public-private partnerships, particularly in advancing urban sustainability.

Applications for the 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge close on April 30, 2024, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to seize this opportunity to drive innovation and urban resilience. To apply or learn more about the Challenge, visit the AcceliCITY website.

The collaboration between Leading Cities and QBE North America, underpinned by the shared goal of nurturing innovative solutions for urban resilience, highlights the challenge’s role in shaping the future of our communities. This initiative not only recognizes the innovators of today but actively contributes to the resilient and sustainable urban landscapes of tomorrow. Join us in this transformative journey and be a part of driving meaningful change in cities around the world.