Applications are now open for the Norrsken Impact Accelerator in Stockholm, Sweden, which provides chosen early-stage entrepreneurs from around the world with assistance, mentorship, and US$125,000 in investment.
Norrsken, founded in 2016 by Niklas Adalberth, one of the founders of Swedish finance unicorn Klarna, promises to help entrepreneurs address the world’s most difficult challenges. Its ecosystem comprises of Norrsken House, a co-working location in Stockholm for over 350 impact entrepreneurs, the Norrsken Founders Fund, and Norrsken VC.
Innovation village reported the foundation began operations in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2019, which it claimed it wanted to utilize as a basis for investment across the East and Central African region, and this year it welcomed 11 African businesses into the inaugural edition of the Norrsken Impact Accelerator.
African companies are being encouraged to apply for the 2022 edition of the accelerator, which is aimed to uncover the world’s most promising impact startups and help them scale. The program comprises an eight-week growth sprint in Norrsken House in Stockholm, as well as mentorship from a group of over 50 entrepreneurs, investors, and unicorn founders. The Norrsken Foundation provides US$125,000 upfront seed or pre-seed funding to all entrepreneurs.
Does this company have a genuine purpose in tackling a real problem?” If profit and effect are truly interwoven, we’re looking for business models that are truly sustainable. Norrsken Impact Accelerator Managing Director and Co-Founder Funda Sezgi believes that “if you buy one pair of shoes, we’ll give away a free pair to Africa” is the wrong approach.
“We’re searching for startups that have the potential to improve the world for the better for the next generation while also developing lucrative, highly scalable businesses.”
They’ve raised more than $17 million in seed or pre-seed capital since being approved into the 2021 program.
Applications are open here and the deadline for submitting an application is the last day of February.
