Leading Cities has opened applications for the 2024 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge. This accelerator program is ranked among the Top 5 GovTech accelerators in the world. You can learn more and apply at AcceliCITY.com. The deadline to submit applications is April 30th.

The accelerator is open to smart city entrepreneurs from anywhere, regardless of what challenge you are solving. This year QBE Insurance is awarding the winners up to $150,000 in funded pilot projects. Pilot Projects have proven to be the best opportunity for emerging solutions to enter the marketplace, provide a proof of concept, and build trust-based relationships with city leaders. In addition to the general AcceliCITY Smart City track, there will be two complimentary and specialized tracks:

• The Proptech Track seeks entrepreneurs creating solutions for quicker hazard identification, minimizing property damage, reducing business disruption, and tackling other property insurance and sustainability challenges. Open globally, activities align with North American time zones as part of QBE AcceliCITY West. Winners get a $25,000 prize.
• The Humanitarian Track invites global innovators with community-led tech for climate resilience, focusing on a real-world problem from the Australian Red Cross. Conducted in the Asia-Pacific time zone, it’s in partnership with Australian Red Cross Humanitech, GDPC, supported by American Red Cross and IFRC. Winners receive a paid pilot project in Australia.

QBE AcceliCITY always looks for founders with grit and a sense of urgency, with whom we can work to implement urban solutions quicker and at scale. No equity is taken to participate.

We invite you to visit AcceliCITY.com to learn more about the application tracks and the program including a web-based curriculum and an intense virtual boot camp and Pitch Session.

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What is AcceliCITY?

QBE AcceliCITY is one of the Top 5 GovTech accelerators in the world seeking global entrepreneurs whose ventures utilize innovative solutions to address risk, equity, and sustainability in our urban environments.

Over the course of the program, teams will engage in a comprehensive web-based curriculum that is tailored to address the unique challenges of doing business with government entities. They will also  interact directly with city leaders and benefit from free access to our virtual LaunchPad 11 global community. To further enhance their skills and knowledge, Finalists will participate in an intensive Boot Camp that is led by internationally renowned business, government, and smart city leaders

The entire QBE AcceliCITY program is conducted virtually over 5 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, the QBE AcceliCITY program propels participants toward greater and faster successes.

Why Apply?

• World-class mentoring: AcceliCITY participants will benefit from personalized guidance and support from seasoned professionals in the smart city industry, and receive tailored mentoring to help them excel.
• Virtual curriculum training: A 4-month series of educational curriculum sessions, boot camps, and webinars meant to propel startups in areas of business, marketing, and negotiation.
• Virtual Networking: AcceliCITY participants will get the chance to connect with a strong, supportive network of industry experts, alumni, investors and fellow start-ups.
• Visibility: Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions to investors, strategic partners, and customers through specialized connection events as well as through social media and press releases.
• The Value of Clustering: Each AcceliCITY participant will become a member of LaunchPad11, the world’s first virtual ecosystem for smart cities, bringing together cities, entrepreneurs, experts and investors.
• Prizes: There will be an array of cash prizes, including a $100,000 grand prize, along with two People’s Choice Award prizes of $25,000 each, and more prizes for the winner of each Smart Challenge Track (Resilient Buildings earns $25,000, and the Humanitarian earns a free pilot project opportunity in Australia).

What is LaunchPad 11?

The entire AcceliCITY curriculum will be held on LaunchPad 11 – think of this platform as a virtual Silicon Valley for smart city solutions. LaunchPad 11 provides valuable support services like business development, investor connections, and pilot opportunities; but the real value of LaunchPad 11 is the community itself. AcceliCITY participants will benefit from membership to LaunchPad 11 through the clustering of like-minded individuals developing the solutions to some of world’s biggest urban challenges.

AcceliCITY Timeline

• April 1-30^th: Application period is open for smart city solutions globally
• May-June: Top 100 Resilience Solutions from both the Eastern and the Western Hemisphere Divisions are selected.
• June-November: Weekly curriculum courses will be held on LaunchPad 11
• September: Finalists from the Eastern and Western Hemisphere Divisions will be chosen, and the winners of the QBE People’s Choice Awards will be announced.
• October: AcceliCITY finalists will participate in an intensive and individualized bootcamp with industry experts and mentors to finalize participant’s pitches.
• November: The recipient of the $100,000 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge grand prize will be announced.