#United States #New York #Climate-Tech #RCOAST #QBE AcceliCITY

RCOAST Triumphs in 2025 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge

In a remarkable achievement for innovation and sustainability, RCOAST has been named the grand prize winner of the 2025 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge. This prestigious accolade was awarded during an event hosted by Leading Cities in collaboration with QBE North America. The challenge sought to identify cutting-edge solutions capable of tackling global issues related to climate change and urban resilience.

RCOAST specializes in high-resolution analytics focused on coastal erosion, a pressing concern for many cities impacted by climate dynamics. Their innovative approach transforms complex coastal data into actionable insights, empowering engineers, scientists, and decision-makers to develop effective coastline preservation strategies. This year, RCOAST stood out among more than 820 participants from 71 countries, each submitting their unique smart-city solutions aimed at enhancing community resilience, environmental equity, and sustainability.

Julie Wood, the CEO of QBE North America, expressed her admiration for RCOAST's commitment to innovation. In her statement, she highlighted the importance of creating solutions that provide smarter, faster data to improve the preservation of coastlines. She emphasized that community resilience is a core value at QBE, and the AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge is an avenue for supporting and deploying such impactful solutions where they are most needed.

As part of the recognition, RCOAST will receive a $100,000 grand prize designated for a pilot project within a city framework. Additionally, the company will be featured in Leading Cities' AcceliGOV program, allowing cities globally to compete for a pre-paid pilot showcasing the winning innovations from this year.

Michael Lake, the President, and CEO of Leading Cities, shared insights on the collaborative aspect of the challenge. He stated, “The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge was built on the belief that lasting impact happens when we act together.” This sentiment underscores the need for partnership across various sectors to confront common challenges and drive meaningful progress.

Dr. Christy Swann, the founder and CEO of RCOAST, also underscored the pivotal role of advanced analytics in understanding coastal dynamics. He noted that by detecting subtle shifts in terrain and erosion, their technology can pinpoint increasing risks and the effectiveness of interventions designed to protect coastlines. RCOAST's work results in clear, interactive mapping that facilitates informed decision-making.

The AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge does not solely give recognition to winners like RCOAST. It also offers a $25,000 Proptech prize aimed at highlighting property technology solutions that connect with resilience measures within commercial property insurance. In this category, True Flood Risk emerged victoriously.

Furthermore, QBE introduced two $25,000 People's Choice awards, determined through votes by QBE employees across two global regions. ByFusion was recognized as the People's Choice winner in both instances, showcasing another facet of innovative solutions resonating with audiences.

Overall, the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge strives to bridge the gap between innovation and practical implementation for smart city solutions. It optimizes the innovation and implementation process, enhancing opportunities for local governments, startups, and corporations alike to adopt sustainable technologies designed for urban resilience.

QBE North America, a leader in the insurance sector, reported Gross Written Premiums of $7.3 billion in 2024, highlighting its extensive reach and commitment to supporting resilient communities. The company operates globally, while Leading Cities, as a nonprofit organization, works diligently to foster urban innovation and overcome barriers in adopting new technologies that promote sustainability and equity.

Through initiatives like this, we witness how collaborative efforts can unfold into impactful solutions addressing critical environmental challenges. RCOAST's triumph stands as a testament to the power of merging innovative minds with practical applications, paving the way for a more resilient future in urban landscapes.