We’re looking for solutions that could help change the world.
As a company operating in the area of risk, we understand the importance of building resilience, so that our cities and communities are prepared for evolving and increasingly severe risks.
That’s why we have partnered with Leading Cities to deliver our QBE AcceliCITY Challenges – to find and back start-ups with solutions that address community resilience and humanitarian innovation.
In 2026, we’re running two challenges:
- QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge (April)
- QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge, in partnership with Australian Red Cross Humanitech (September)
2026 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge
Applications open from 1-30 April 2026.
QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge aims to find and back start-ups with solutions that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate threats
The Challenge has a total prize pool to the value of $175,000 USD, with the winner receiving a single $100,000 grand prize to pilot their solution in a city. Additionally, the top 100 selected entrepreneurs will take part in a six-month Public-Private Partnership Preparedness training and certification through Leading Cities Academy. They will also gain access to mentorship, client-investor matchmaking and publicity opportunities.
Apply before 30 April 2026 at AcceliCITY.com.
2025 QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge
Applications closed.
The QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge finds and backs early-stage start-ups tackling climate and humanitarian challenges.
This year, we’re looking for technology that can:
- Make climate risk information accessible, actionable and locally relevant
- Simplify and personalise access to disaster recovery support
- Surface real-time community needs during disasters and connect local capacity to enable a faster, more coordinated and human centred response.
Winners will secure a funded pilot (valued up to AUD $100,000) to test and develop their solution with Red Cross Red Cresent Movement partners in real-world, high-risk settings.
Selected startups won’t just compete — they’ll join a unique innovation journey, taking part in the QBE AcceliCITY program, the Leading Cities Academy certification and the Humanitech Innovation Curriculum. They’ll gain access to expert mentoring, business training and hands-on feedback from community partners and work directly with frontline communities to ensure solutions are relevant, trusted and built to last.
For more information, visit: https://www.humanitech.org.au/humanitarianchallenge/