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Helping Innovators Build Credibility and Traction
Bringing a solution to market in cities and communities means navigating long timelines, complex systems, and high barriers to adoption. Leading Cities helps innovators build the readiness, credibility, and connections needed to gain traction and move toward real-world implementation.
1. Understand What Communities Actually Need
We work closely with governments to surface real challenges and expectations, helping innovators align their solutions with practical, on-the-ground needs.
2. Build readiness and credibility
Through our programs, partnerships, and ecosystem, we help innovators test, refine, and strengthen their solutions while building the credibility needed to work more effectively with governments and communities.
3. Access the Relationships That Move Solutions Forward
From city leaders to investors and industry experts, Leading Cities creates pathways to the relationships, opportunities, and programs that can help innovators gain traction and grow with confidence.
What Leading Cities Helps You Achieve
Trusted by innovators building for cities and communities
More than 630 startups have grown through the Leading Cities ecosystem, reaching 16,000 communities and raising $3.3 billion to date.
630
Entrepreneurs
Leading Cities has supported over 630 start-up companies through its various initiatives
16,000
Communities
Leading Cities' network includes more than 16,000 communities worldwide.
$3.3 B
In Funds Raised
Entrepreneurs in the Leading Cities ecosystem have raised $3.3 billion in funding to date.
983
Patents Filed
Entrepreneurs in the Leading Cities ecosystem have filed 983 patents and counting.
Why Top Innovators Choose
Leading Cities
The best proof comes from the entrepreneurs themselves. Explore how innovators in the Leading Cities ecosystem describe the value of our programs, network, and opportunities.
Find Your Program
Choose the pathway that best fits your stage, goals, and readiness. Whether you are building early momentum, preparing to work with cities, seeking stronger credibility, or pursuing real-world validation, Leading Cities offers programs designed to help you move forward.
Impact
Since its inception, Leading Cities has supported more than 630 startups through mentorship, growth opportunities, and pathways to real-world impact.
16,000
Communities in the Leading Cities Ecosystem
$3.3 B
Total Funding Raised by Leading Cities Alumni
$620 M
Revenue earned by Leading Cities Alumni in 2025
983
Patents Filed by Leading Cities Alumni
6,000
Jobs Created by Leading Cities Alumni
Frequently Asked Questions
Our programs support startups at a range of stages, from early development to deployment readiness. Whether you are refining a concept, seeking traction, or ready to pilot, Leading Cities offers pathways to help you grow. If your solution advances sustainability, resilience, clean energy, mobility, infrastructure, or emerging technology, there may be a strong fit for you here.
Unlike many traditional accelerators, AcceliCITY is specifically designed to help innovators succeed in business-to-government markets. The program goes beyond general startup support by training entrepreneurs to understand how governments operate, what public-sector partners need, and how to build the credibility required to work successfully with cities and communities. Through its curriculum, mentorship, and ecosystem, AcceliCITY helps innovators become stronger long-term partners for governments globally.
AcceliCITY provides mentorship, training, and direct access to industry leaders to help startups strengthen their business models, improve public-sector readiness, and build toward scale. It also offers significant non-dilutive prize funding that can help accelerate growth.
AcceliGOV helps connect solution providers with cities and other partners interested in testing innovations in real-world environments. It can help startups build traction, generate case studies, and strengthen credibility through implementation experience.
That is okay. Startups can join LaunchPad 11, our virtual ecosystem, to access expert insight, build relationships, and refine their solutions until they are ready for the next stage.
If your company is beyond the stage where our non-traditional accelerator is the right fit, Leading Cities still offers valuable pathways to help you grow. Through Leading Cities Academy, innovators can strengthen their business-to-government readiness and build the credibility needed to work successfully with governments. Through AcceliGOV, solution providers can explore direct deployment opportunities that help move solutions into real-world implementation. Participation in the AcceliCITY Accelerator is not required to access these opportunities.
No. Our programs are designed for global startups. While some in-person opportunities exist, most mentorship, networking, and program engagement can be accessed remotely.