We are proud to share that Geoneon has been selected as one of the Top 10 finalists worldwide in the 2025 QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge—a global program connecting high-impact startups with city leaders, investors, and partners to advance community resilience and sustainability.
This year’s competition attracted 822 applications from 71 countries, representing some of the most promising innovations in climate risk, infrastructure, and urban resilience. After months of evaluations, mentoring, and collaboration, the Top 10 Resilience Solutions were announced this week by Leading Cities and QBE Insurance.
A Global Cohort Driving Real-World Resilience
The ten finalists span a range of sectors—from AI-powered planning to water security, pollution reduction, and clean infrastructure. Together, they demonstrate how technology and innovation can help communities adapt to the growing challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and urbanization.
Risk Mapping and Planning
- Geoneon – AI and satellite analytics to map wildfire risk and vegetation for resilient utilities and governments.
- RCOAST – Coastal change analytics (3D) addressing erosion and flood risk for adaptation planning.
- infrared.city – AI environmental simulations for transparent, scalable decision-making in urban planning.
Circular and Clean Infrastructure
- ByFusion – Turning plastic waste into structural ByBlocks to strengthen cities while reducing landfill.
- Solumar International Ltd. – Air pollution reduction technology that doubles as urban street-level communication infrastructure.
- Airbuild Inc. – Algae-powered, carbon-negative wastewater treatment and biochar production systems.
Water and Heat Resilience
- WAVR Technologies – Atmospheric water harvesting delivering reliable, sustainable water in arid environments.
- Green Independence – Energy-positive water purification and distributed green power cheaper than fossil fuels.
Safety, Energy, and Grid Flexibility
- microFleet® – Safety and compliance platform preventing battery fires and clutter from micro-mobility devices.
- SunTrain – Transporting stored renewable energy in railcars to connect renewable sources with urban demand.
Why It Matters
Being named a Top 10 global finalist is a major milestone for Geoneon—and a recognition of our team’s work to make climate data actionable. Our AI-driven wildfire and vegetation models help governments, utilities, and insurers understand risk, plan smarter, and strengthen resilience.
“We’re honoured to represent Australia and proud to see our technology recognized alongside innovators tackling global resilience challenges,” said Roxane Bandini-Maeder, CEO and Co-Founder of Geoneon. “AcceliCITY is more than a challenge - it is a global community driving practical impact where it matters most”.
About the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge
Now in its eighth year, the AcceliCITY Challenge, powered by Leading Cities and the QBE Foundation, connects innovators with the knowledge, networks, and city partnerships needed to scale solutions for urban resilience. The program combines an accelerator, certification pathway, and mentorship series, helping startups pilot their technologies in real-world environments.
From here, the Top 10 will advance to the final stage of the program, including advanced mentorship, investor connections, and the global Pitch Event, where winners will be announced.
We are grateful for this opportunity and excited to collaborate with cities and partners worldwide to help communities prepare for—and thrive amid—climate risk.
Learn more about the finalists and the AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge:
https://leadingcities.org/qbe-accelicity-resilience-challenge/13c190b9-7f01-4aa2-a436-f1ab5b40d92b
