The global social innovation competition has launched and is open to startups from around the world whose ventures are helping to make cities more resilient. In partnership with Leading Cities, QBE AcceliCITY seeks innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing cities in order to accelerate their growth and adoption.

Jason Harris, CEO of QBE International, said: “At QBE, we’re committed to help people and businesses protect themselves from risk and build resiliency. With this in mind, I am excited to announce the launch of this year’s challenge. Our aim is to find and support entrepreneurs and start-ups whose ventures are developing innovative solutions to help make cities more sustainable and resilient.”

Michael Lake, President and CEO of Leading Cities, said QBE AcceliCITY provides startups, entrepreneurs and city leaders with the opportunity to work together to build cities that will stand resilient against the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

“There are many complex threats facing cities across the globe. By accelerating the deployment of innovative technological solutions, while also increasing the awareness and confidence that city leaders have in these new solutions, we are also accelerating the resiliency of cities everywhere,” he added. 

Through Leading Cities’ accelerator program, participants will be given the opportunity to tap into an 10-week curriculum and the wealth of expertise at QBE through one-on-one expert mentoring, speed gatherings, and engagement with QBE Ventures, the venture investment and development arm of QBE.

This year marks the first time a local program is being run for Europe. A separate program will be run in tandem with entrants from North America and Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, with ten finalists selected from across all regions to come together and compete in a final live pitch event.

Of these 10, one winner will be awarded $100,000 and two People’s Choice runners up will each be awarded $25,000 in cash prizes, along with additional resources and introductions to valuable networks and collaboration opportunities to help scale their initiatives.

Previous challenge winners include DrugViu, which aims to create greater health equity for people of colour, and Bioo, a company that creates 100% renewable energy through plants.

Submissions close 30 April 2022, with finalists to be announced in September 2022.