AB InBev and One Young World today launched the first Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 5. The launch marks the start of a global search for the most impactful female-led enterprises that are paving the way for a sustainable future.
Formed by One Young World and powered by some of the world’s leading businesses, Lead2030 finds, funds and accelerates SDG solutions created by founders under 30. Since coming together in 2018, Lead2030 partners have provided $1 million+ and hundreds of hours of executive mentorship to support enterprises identified through Lead2030.
This latest Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 5 is delivered in partnership with AB InBev’s 100+ Accelerator. Through the 100+ Accelerator, AB InBev partners with start-ups capable of delivering breakthrough advancements in water stewardship, farmer productivity, product upcycling, responsible sourcing, green logistics, and more. To-date 100+ Accelerator has partnered 38 ground-breaking solutions.
The winner of the Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 5 will join the third cohort of businesses entering the 100+ Accelerator programme in March 2021. From that point, they will begin a pilot sprint to validate product-market fit, followed by a structured curriculum focused on integrating with a large corporate partner and best practices for scaling. In addition to providing capacity building, 100+ Accelerator will invest up to $100,000 in the winning solution.
Recognising the vital role of female entrepreneurs in driving sustainable economic progress, the Lead2030 Challenge for SDG 5 seeks solutions from female-founded companies that work in one of the following areas:
- Infrastructure solutions that provide women-owned/operated small enterprises with opportunities to improve their access to energy, sanitation, and security
- Digital skills training solutions that measurably and lastingly improve the knowledge and practices of women-owned/operated small enterprises, with the potential for significant scale
- Affordable, accessible financial products (e.g. low-interest loan products, crop insurance)
- Renewable energy technology with super high efficiency for trucking, rail, ocean, and air including biofuel, electric, wind, solar, and water – that are accessible for the entire market
- New packaging materials to eliminate/reduce plastic, increasing recycled content and/or new ways to incorporate our supply chain waste into our packaging materials Alternatives to increase recycling and reuse PET
- New solutions to improve water quality or the availability in high stressed watersheds.
Challenge applications are open until 30 October 2020 and full details of how to apply can be found here.
Speaking ahead of the launch Maisie Devine, Global Director of 100+ Accelerator said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with One Young World and Lead2030 to engage young entrepreneurs who are making it their life’s work to advance women’s equality. We have a long way to go to achieve SDG 5 by 2030, but we are inspired and invigorated by their passion and the incredible innovations that we are starting to see already.”
