Innovations in Sustainability 2023

Sustainable ingredients: We are seeking solutions that empower smallholder farmers with the right tools, resources, and skills, as well as smallholder farmers that cultivate through safe practices that protect and regenerate the land. These can be solutions that promote sustainable ingredients to enhance healthier food and product options, including, but not limited to, broccoli, spinach, lentils, laurel, cabbage, thyme, potato, oregano, basil, tomato, sweetcorn, cassava (Mandioquinha), potato (sweet), onions, leek, rosemary, pumpkin, pepper (sweet), garlic, beetroot, chives, peas, carrots, mushroom, parsley, celery. 

Visit the following links for further information: Strategy and goals | Unilever & The importance of sustainable farming & sourcing | Unilever

Decarbonization in the retail sector:  We are seeking solutions that focus on reducing carbon emissions in the retail sector, including, but not limited to, those focused on the cold chain, e.g., decarbonizing ice cabinets. These can be solutions that focus on converting carbon emissions into renewable energy, such as co-generation or solar power.

Upcycling solutions: We are looking for innovative upcycling solutions that focus on the collection, sorting, and processing of recyclable materials, with the end goal of increasing the volume of effectively recycled materials, we are also seeking solutions that promote a circular economy, minimize natural resource exploitation and prioritize sustainable packaging practices. These solutions include those that specialize in the collection, sorting, and treatment of various materials, such as plastic (PE, PET, LDP, and flexible plastics), as well as those working on biodegradable, recyclable, and upcycled packaging solutions.

Investment readiness training program tailored to the needs of cohort companies, with an emphasis on fundraising, partnership development, and opportunities to build deep connections among the cohort.

Ability to network and receive mentorship from prominent Latin American and U.S. investors.

Village Capital will provide networking opportunities that will increase exposure for the cohort companies to investors and will facilitate over 100 hours of mentor support to prepare companies for future investment and fundraising conversations. Program mentors will also include Unilever employees.

Village Capital will work closely with cohort companies to create individual milestone-based development plans, which will guide the progress and growth of each company during and after the initiative.

Chat with an investment analyst who will coach you 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics.

Exposure to Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.