Sustainability MENA
About the Program
Village Capital, with the support of International Finance Corporation (IFC), is launching an investment readiness program for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Turkey-based startups that are tackling the region’s most pressing sustainability challenges.
Entrepreneurs will benefit from Village Capital’s award-winning curriculum, intensive feedback from their peers, and connections and one-on-one mentorship with potential customers, investors and industry experts. We’re encouraging applications from entrepreneurs building high-growth, scalable solutions focused on the following regional challenges:
PLANET: The MENA region is experiencing worsening extreme heat, drought and aridity conditions exacerbated by climate change. We’re looking for innovation that improves the resilience of our planet, with a focus on sustainable sourcing, sustainable food systems, and regenerative farming practices.
PEOPLE: COVID-19 has intensified regional food and housing insecurity, especially for underserved and rural populations. We’re looking for innovation that improves the health and wellness of underserved communities with a focus on the core tenets of life such as access to food, housing, social wellbeing and health and wellness, including mental healthcare.
COHORT COMPANIES
Advisory Board
- Didem AltopCo-Founder, 2C Project House
- Amal EnanChief Investment Officer at the American University in Cairo
- Issa AghabiFounder & Managing Partner at Access Bridge Ventures
- Heba AliManaging Director at Egypt Ventures
- Tamer Al-SalahManaging Director at BeyondCapital
- Jenny Atout AhlzénManaging Partner at Amam Ventures
- Sonia Weymuller Founding Partner at VentureSouq
- Daniel DartFounder & CEO, DEC Projects
- Claire KellyWest Africa/MENA Regional Director at Whole Planet Foundation
- Ayşe SabuncuCo-Founder at Impact Hub Istanbul
- Reda MaamariFounder of Arab Financial Inclusion Innovation Prize
- Mohammed TelebManaging Director at ENERVAIL
- Sirine FadoulFounder at SDGeneration
- Hassan MansiProgram Director, Flat6Labs
- Kevin HollidayManaging Director, C3
- Jessica RobinsonSustainable Finance Advisor at Moxie Future