On May 3, Impact Hub Geneva and UNDP, with the support of multiple partners including SwissRe and Pfizer, launched the second edition of Accelerate2030, a cross-border scaling program for impact-driven ventures contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ventures from select developing and transitioning countries are encouraged to apply for a chance to gain access to investors, receive nine months of customized support from top business professionals (including BCG, Sidley, ITC, WIPO), and travel to Geneva to attend a scaling bootcamp and the Social Good Summit, an invitation-only VIP event around the SDGs with select representatives from government, international organizations, and corporate and impact investment sectors.

UNDP and Impact Hub Geneva prototyped Accelerate2030 in 10 countries around the world in 2016. This year, the program is expanding to 17 countries (Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ghana, Guatemala, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Myanmar, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Ukraine, Turkey, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe), with local Impact Hubs working closely with UNDP chapters and other partners in each location in order to recruit ventures with the best solutions in their communities.

An international jury composed of social impact professionals from the corporate sector, representatives of international organizations, and serial impact entrepreneurs will select 10 lucky finalists. All will win nine months of tailored support, the opportunity to connect with top corporate and international organizations to build their businesses together, and a chance to scale their ventures across borders.

“We wanted to leverage the unique resources of Geneva and Switzerland, not just locally, but also globally. That is how the idea of Accelerate2030 was born.  Accelerate2030 provides access to a support network and expertise. From Geneva we have connections to anywhere in the world to help you scale your impact-driven business,” said Alexandra Boethius, driving force behind Accelerate2030 and co-founder of Impact Hub Geneva, in her recent interview with the Huffington Post.

Last year, five exceptional ventures from Ghana, Colombia, Armenia, and Mali were chosen as finalists. Among the winners were solutions focusing on education, recycling, food, and empowering local farmers.

Program applicants are required to meet certain eligibility criteria. Most importantly, ventures must have a successful financial track record, strong social impact compound, proven business model, clear focus on the SDGs, and be located in one of the countries participating in the program this year.

If you have an impact-driven venture that fits this profile, don’t miss your chance to scale across borders; the application deadline has been extended from June 2 to June 18!

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