Mentorship
Receive mentorship from a diverse and inclusive network of potential strategic partners, customers, founders, and investors.
Sustainability Subscribed 2023
Fighting climate change and preserving the planet through the Subscription Economy
About the Program
Sustainability Subscribed 2023 is an investment readiness program that will support 10-12 startups in the US employing subscriptions, recurring revenue, or as-a-service models to fight climate change and advance sustainability.
In partnership with Zuora, and with support from HPE Foundation, this program is an ongoing initiative to expand access and leverage the subscription economy for good.
Inclusive Technological Solutions to Fight Climate Change
In the last decade, annual temperatures have reached record highs since 1880. 2022 was 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than NASA's baseline period and global CO2 emissions rose to 36.8B tons, a 0.9% annual increase.
As our climate warms, unsustainable consumption and production patterns persist. Though the US is only 4% of the world population, it is responsible for over 12% of global waste.
Climate change disproportionately affects BIPOC and underserved communities, who lack the necessary resources to prepare for, cope with, and recover from its impacts. Heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and more, exacerbate socioeconomic vulnerabilities, affecting critical areas such as health, housing, employment, and beyond.
Addressing these challenges to achieve environmental justice requires market-based solutions and innovative technology, such as digital products and cloud infrastructure. The subscription economy expedites technological adoption by transforming access and reducing financial barriers to environmental sustainability and climate-related solutions.
Meet the Cohort
Advisory Board
Chelsea Burns
Corporate Innovation, Verisk
Anthony Delli Colli
Director, Global Partner Strategy, CTO Office, HPE
Dimitry Gershenson
Co-Founder, Enduring Planet
Chante Harris
Climate Tech Operator, Investor and Strategist
Kaitlin Highstreet
Co-Founder, Scope Zero
Valerie Jackson
Chief Diversity Officer, Zuora
Tiffani Jarnigan
Director, Sustainable Innovation and Partnerships, HPE
Mary King
Investment Associate, Aligned Climate
Eligibility
The program will support 10-12 entrepreneurs fighting climate change and advancing sustainability through subscriptions, recurring revenue, or as-a-service models including solutions that:
Prevent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Expand access to clean utilities
Promote longer lasting products by shifting ownership to manufacturers & producers
Provide sustainability insights through data management and analytics
Reduce the carbon footprint of food, water, transportation, and infrastructure systems
Advance climate justice for low-income and other underserved communities that are most affected by climate change and are the least able to prepare for and recover from its impacts
Cultivate carbon removal systems and technologies
The program will prioritize the selection of companies led by diverse founders.
Additionally, we are seeking startups that have:
A legal incorporation as a for-profit entity
Headquarters or operations in the US
A market-based solution that tackles the challenges above
A minimum viable product (MVP), and raised less than $1.5M in equity
At least one full-time founder based in the US
Meaningful customer or business validation (including but not limited to revenue, successful pilots, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships)
Benefits
Connections
Build deep connections with other founders in your cohort and our larger Village Capital investor and alumni network.
Training
Join three interactive sessions tailored to help your company identify early milestones and prepare for your next round of capital.
Advice
Work with an investment analyst who will coach you 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics to drive business performance and investor diligence.
Exposure
Exposure on Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.
Catalytic Capital
All companies will receive $5,000 in grant capital for milestone support. In addition, the top two startups selected by peers will receive a grant of USD $50,000.
Program Timeline
July 5, 2023
Applications Open
July 28, 2023
Applications Close
September 2023
Cohort Announced
September - December 2023
Program Workshops
Workshop 1 (Virtual) – September 11-14, 2023 Workshop 2 (Virtual)– October 16-19, 2023 Workshop 3 (Virtual) – November 6-9, 2023 Program Summit (In Person) - December 11-13, 2023
If there are any scheduling conflicts with the slated timeline, please reach out to the Village Capital team.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main goal of the program?
2. Do you require us to move to the cities of the program?
3. Do you take equity for participating in the program?
4. Have more questions?
Latest News
ElectricFish and Genvision Were Peer-Selected to Receive Equity-Free Grants From Sustainability Subscribed 2023
Washington, DC (January 18, 2024) – Village Capital announced that ElectricFish and Genvision were peer-selected to receive equity-free grant funding as a part of “Sustainability Subscribed 2023” in the US. The program was launched with support from Zuora, and with support from the HPE Foundation.
Ten Startups Were Selected to Participate in Sustainability Subscribed 2023
Washington, DC (September 12, 2023) – Village Capital, in partnership with Zuora and with support from Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation (HPE), announced that ten startups from the US have been selected to participate in the second iteration of the accelerator program: Sustainability Subscribed.
Village Capital Launches Applications in the US for Second Sustainability Subscribed Climate Accelerator
Learn more about the 2023 accelerator program for startups working to employ subscription or recurring revenue models to fight climate change in the US in the Sustainability Subscribed program.