RCOAST Triumphs at the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge
QBE North America and Leading Cities proudly announced RCOAST as the grand prize winner of the 2025 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge.
Recently, the annual QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge showcased innovative solutions from entrepreneurs worldwide, recognizing RCOAST for its groundbreaking efforts in addressing coastal erosion. RCOAST, a remarkable climate-tech company, specializes in providing high-resolution analytics regarding coastal erosion, transforming complex coastal data into actionable insights.
Among over 820 entrepreneurs from 71 countries, RCOAST emerged victorious, awarded for its smart-city solution that enhances community resilience and promotes urban sustainability. This competition serves as a significant platform to connect innovators with communities, enabling the development of solutions for pressing global challenges.
Julie Wood, CEO of QBE North America, expressed her congratulations, stating, "RCOAST has developed a cutting-edge solution that empowers decision-makers with vital data for effective coastline preservation. Our mission at QBE is to support community resilience, and this competition facilitates crucial connections for entrepreneurs to deploy their solutions effectively."
Winning the grand prize comes with a $100,000 grant for a city pilot project, as well as a prominent position in Leading Cities' AcceliGOV program, where cities compete for a pilot of the innovative ideas that win the challenge.
Michael Lake, President and CEO of Leading Cities, emphasized the importance of collaboration in creating lasting impacts: "Bringing together innovators, insurers, and city leaders in this ecosystem turns shared challenges into collective progress. RCOAST exemplifies what can happen when we work together—creating resilience within our communities."
Dr. Christy Swann, the founder and CEO of RCOAST, stated, "Our approach transforms how cities view and manage their coastlines. We identify subtle changes in erosion and terrain, uncovering areas where risk is increasing and highlighting effective interventions. This leads to the creation of interactive maps that guide crucial decision-making processes."
Additionally, the competition offered a $25,000 Proptech prize aimed at property technology solutions that bridge the gap between commercial property insurance and resilience measures. True Flood Risk was recognized as the winner of this prize, illustrating the breadth of innovation presented during the challenge.
QBE also presented two $25,000 People's Choice awards, decided by their employees across different global regions. ByFusion was honored with the People's Choice award for both regions, showcasing the variety of innovative concepts from participants.
The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge serves as a catalyst for innovation, making it easier for local governments, startups, and corporations to implement new solutions. By streamlining the innovation process, QBE connects startups offering groundbreaking solutions directly with city officials and entities, ensuring smoother transitions from concept to deployment.
About QBE North America
QBE North America stands as a major global insurance provider, dedicated to addressing the risks faced by its customers. As part of the QBE Insurance Group Limited, they reported Gross Written Premiums of $7.3 billion. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE's operations span 26 countries, including a significant presence in every major insurance market. Their North America division, based in New York, operates primarily through its insurance subsidiaries, focusing on delivering superior insurance solutions. Additional information about QBE North America can be found on their website, where they offer insights about their services and coverage options.
About Leading Cities
Leading Cities is a prominent global nonprofit organization devoted to advancing urban innovation through impact-driven initiatives. Their comprehensive approach encompasses every stage of the innovation lifecycle, from sourcing and vetting to educational support and funding. Leading Cities' flagship programs, including AcceliGOV and AcceliCITY, effectively reduce barriers to urban innovation, encouraging the adoption of new technologies for municipalities globally. By connecting various sectors—public, private, academic, and nonprofit—they accelerate solutions that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and community equity. More details can be learned on their website and social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge?
The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge is an annual competition aimed at fostering innovative solutions from entrepreneurs to tackle global challenges related to urban resilience and sustainability.
Who won the grand prize in 2025?
RCOAST was awarded the grand prize for its advanced coastal management solution, which provides valuable data for understanding and preserving coastlines.
What benefits does the winning team receive?
The 2025 winner, RCOAST, received a $100,000 grant for a city pilot project and a place in Leading Cities' AcceliGOV program to further develop their innovative solutions.
How does the challenge promote community resilience?
The challenge connects entrepreneurs with municipalities, facilitating the development of solutions that enhance community resilience and environmental sustainability.
What are some recent innovations recognized in the challenge?
The challenge highlighted various innovative solutions, including property technology strategies to mitigate risks in commercial property insurance, exemplified by True Flood Risk's recognition as the Proptech prize winner.
