QBE opens applications for global resilience challenge

QBE has opened applications for its annual AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge, now in its fifth year.

The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge is a global challenge run by the QBE Foundation in partnership with non-profit organisation Leading Cities. It aims to find and support start-ups with innovative technological solutions to address the complex environmental, social, and economic challenges facing cities.

Chris Esson, chief financial officer (CFO) of QBE Australia Pacific and co-chair of the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation, emphasised the need to build more urban resilience as risks evolve and grow dramatically.

“As a global insurance leader, QBE’s purpose to enable a more resilient future highlights how sustainability is integral to us. We strive to help communities and businesses understand and protect themselves from risk,” Esson said. “The challenge is just one way the QBE Foundation is supporting and encouraging impactful initiatives in our communities, and we look forward to seeing the innovative solutions that come from this year’s entrants.”

More info about the 2023 AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge

For this year’s global challenge, primary challenge competitors have a chance to win up to US$150,000 ($221,199) in funding for a city pilot project, expert monitoring and collaboration opportunities to help scale their initiatives, and QBE’s support – including engagement with the insurer’s venture investment and development arm, QBE Ventures.