Satellite analytics company WEO has been announced as the inaugural global winner of the QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge Humanitarian Track 2024.
WEO’s platform is transforming how communities strengthen their resilience by combining advanced satellite technology with local action. Leveraging data from space, the power of artificial intelligence and local knowledge, WEO provides communities with the decision-making information they need to understand and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
In 2025, WEO will pilot its innovative solution in partnership with the resilient community of Dargo, and Australian Red Cross, with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation.
This collaborative effort builds on Dargo’s commitment to co-design solutions that enhance resilience and share their expertise after enduring repeated and compounding disasters since 2009.
Together, this pilot seeks to create scalable solutions that not only strengthen their community but also amplify the reach and impact of Australian Red Cross programs, offering a blueprint for communities across Australia and beyond.
The QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge invited entrepreneurs and start-ups from around the world to present their innovative software solutions aimed at helping global communities to adapt to a changing world. The 2024 Humanitarian Track specifically welcomed applications from changemakers and innovators with the potential to address a significant real-world humanitarian problem.
“WEO’s innovative approach to combining satellite technology, artificial intelligence and local knowledge makes it a standout partner for addressing climate resilience.” Lauren Hicks, head of social impact at QBE Insurance, said.
“Its focus on empowering communities to adapt to climate challenges aligns perfectly with the QBE Foundation’s focus on creating strong, resilient, and inclusive communities. We are proud to support this pilot program in Dargo and are excited about the impact it could have for communities in Australia and beyond.”
Michael Lake, founder and chief executive officer of Leading Cities, said impactful partnerships like this demonstrate the transformative power of collaboration in facing global challenges.
“As climate-related disasters become more frequent, impacting over 55 million people annually, the WEO platform, combined with the expertise of Australian Red Cross and the support of QBE and Leading Cities, offers a tangible and scalable solution to build community resilience in Dargo and other communities like it around the world,” he said.
Imeshi Weerasinghe, CEO and co-founder at WEO, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Australian Red Cross and the Dargo community on this exciting pilot.”
“Together, we aim to combine local knowledge and WEO’s technology to build resilience, create tangible outcomes and set a model for communities across Australia.”
Penny Harrison, deputy CEO at Australian Red Cross, said the organisation is looking forward to working with WEO.
“WEO was chosen for its potential to become a vital hub for community knowledge – capturing insights on hazards, actions, community insights and impacts in one central place,” she said.
“We’re delighted to launch a pilot together with WEO and the Dargo community, where this data-driven approach to risk planning and resilience-building can make a real impact. This partnership marks an exciting step forward in creating safer, more resilient communities for the future.”
