The challenge comes with a total prize pool of $150,000 in funding for the winning entrepreneurs or ventures to further develop their ideas and benefit the broader community
QBE North America is pleased to announce the launch of the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge with non-profit organization Leading Cities for the third consecutive year. The global competition accelerates the growth of start-up companies transforming cities worldwide.
The Challenge is designed to harness and support technology innovations that create more resilient cities with solutions that address risk, equity, and sustainability.
“As an organization, we are uniquely positioned to help people and businesses build resiliency against emerging risks. It’s evident that our cities are in critical need of more resilient solutions to react in difficult times,” said Todd Jones, CEO of QBE North America and President of the QBE Foundation. “The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge exemplifies our dedication to create meaningful change and provide needed resources to help people and communities successfully achieve their ambitions.”
The challenge comes with a total prize pool of $150,000 in funding for the winning entrepreneurs or ventures to further develop their ideas and benefit the broader community. Previous organizations to win the challenge include Bioo, who leveraged innovative technology solutions to address climate change, and DrugViu, which aimed to solve for greater health equity for minorities.
“The cities that will come to thrive in the post-pandemic era are taking advantage of the astounding innovation that is arising at this time,” says Michael Lake, President and CEO of Leading Cities. “The QBE AcceliCITY program acts as the vehicle by which entrepreneurs and city leaders can work together with the goal of building more resilient communities.”
Competition details
- Submissions will close on April 30th, 2021
- Semi-finalists will take part in eight-week virtual accelerator program
- Finalists will participate in a B2G boot camp and pitch competition
- One winner will receive $100,000 and a pilot project in a city while two additional prizes of $25,000 each will also be awarded, along with additional resources and access to valuable connections to help scale their initiatives
To apply or find out more about the challenge, please visit www.accelicity.com
For more information:
Peter Roy, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About QBE
QBE North America is global insurance leader focused on helping customers solve unique risks, so they can focus on what matters most. Part of QBE Insurance Group Limited, QBE North America reported Gross Written Premiums in 2020 of $4.775 billion. QBE Insurance Group's 2020 results can be found at www.qbe.com.
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 27 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The North America division, headquartered in New York, conducts business through its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. The actual terms and coverage for all lines of business are subject to the language of the policies as issued. QBE insurance companies are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best and "A+" by Standard & Poor's. Additional information can be found at www.qbe.com/us or follow QBE North America on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About Leading Cities
Leading Cities is a non-profit organization that drives resilience and sustainability for all by unleashing the potential of the world’s cities. Leading Cities connects cities across the globe with innovations and insights by delivering advanced research, emerging trends, and new technologies that improve the quality of life in urban centers.
Leading Cities partners with government leaders, corporations, startup companies, investors, and academics to keep cities evolving and working toward their potential, taking on challenges such as climate change, social justice, automation technology, cyber security, data analytics, accessibility, and global health.
AcceliCITY, a signature program, leverages the Leading Cities network of forward thinkers in the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors to advance innovation in local governments. The program lowers the cost and risk of innovation for startups as well as cities and corporations by streamlining the innovation and sales cycles for Smart City solutions.
You can learn more at www.LeadingCities.org or by following Leading Cities on Twitter and LinkedIn.
