Sage Impact Entrepreneurship United States

About the program

The program will focus on fostering a community of visionary leaders who can drive systemic change through innovation and collaboration.  

In partnership with Sage Foundation, each year, the program will support 12-13 early-stage and underrepresented startups based in the US through its Annual Core Cohort offering tailored mentoring, Sage’s product support, grants, and strategic training.  

An additional 14-16 US-based formation-stage startups will join the Annual Community Cohort and have access to various resources, including a curated digital platform, asynchronous tools, and visibility through Village Capital’s website and social channels.

All participating startups will receive two years of post-program support to strengthen their impact and scale their solutions.

Problem Statement

The Sage Impact Entrepreneurship program is dedicated to accelerating the growth of innovative startups that address the most pressing social and environmental challenges of our time. Over the next three years, we aim to support entrepreneurs facing disproportionate barriers to growth and scale to multiply their positive impact.  

Coming to the end of what will most likely be the hottest year on record, global temperatures are perilously close to surpassing the 1.5°C threshold that would limit the most extreme consequences of climate change and are projected to increase to 3.2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2030. The World Resources Institute warns that a 3-degree temperature increase could have dramatic consequences, expose 600 million people to flooding, and cut food production by half, with rural and lower-income communities likely to experience the most severe outcomes.  

The need for global action on climate change is undeniable, and frontline solutions are urgently needed to address the effects of spiking climate calamities facing both specific communities as well as global ecosystems. Businesses have a crucial role in combating climate change and fostering social equity by leveraging their resources, innovation, and influence to drive systemic change. By collaborating with entrepreneurs and investing in innovative solutions, businesses can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across industries. These innovations not only reduce emissions but also stimulate economic growth and create jobs in the green economy.

Eligibility

Eligible startups must have: 

• Legal incorporation as a for-profit entity, including B Corp-certified companies.

• Headquarters or operations in the US.

• Market-based solutions that directly tackle the following verticals:

  • Clean Energy Transition 

  • Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions 

  • Smart Mobility and Sustainable Infrastructure 

  • Sustainable Supply Chain and Manufacturing 

  • Circular Resource Solutions 

  • Climate-Resilient Health and Wellness 

  • Disaster-Resilient Housing and Community Planning 

  • Climate Finance and Insurance Innovation 

  • Environmental Justice and Social Equity 

  • Data Analytics and Climate Intelligence

• A minimum viable product (MVP) and have raised less than USD 1.5M in equity.

• At least one full-time founder based in the US.

• Meaningful customer or business validation (not limited to revenue, but can also be successful pilot studies, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships).

Note: Startups are encouraged to apply even if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. Applicants will be assessed based on their stage of maturity and the eligibility criteria to determine placement in either the Core or Community Cohort. All selected participants will be notified of their cohort placement upon selection.