Deadline: January 5, 2026

Applications are open for the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program: Scaling Solutions for People and the Planet 2026. Now in its second year, this multi-year initiative supports 165 entrepreneurs across Europe and the US who are making a positive environmental, social, and economic impact in their communities. The program focuses on fostering a community of visionary leaders who can drive systemic change through innovation and collaboration.   

In partnership with Sage Foundation, this year’s program will support 12 early-stage and under-resourced startups based in Europe (UK, France, Germany, Portugal, and Spain) through its Annual Core Cohort offering tailored mentoring, Sage’s product support, grants, and strategic training. 


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An additional 15 startups will join the 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.

Benefits

  • An invitation to participate in mock board meetings with representatives from relevant institutions, corporations, and investors that can help scale their solutions and startups.
  • Four interactive workshops tailored to help their startup identify early milestones and prepare them for the next round of capital (if relevant).
  • Access to one-to-one coaching with an investment analyst focused on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics to drive their business and investor diligence.
  • All startups from the Core Cohort will receive USD 10K in grant capital for milestone support. At the end of the program, two peer-selected startups from the Core Cohort will receive additional grant capital of USD 50K for the top-ranked startup and USD 25K for the second highest-ranked startup.
  • Ability to meet with and receive mentorship from potential strategic partners, customers, and other founders, as well as mentors and founders within the climate and sustainability space.
  • Ability to network and receive mentorship from prominent US investors and business leaders.
  • Receive a stipend to cover travel-related expenses for one team member associated with the Program Summit in London, UK.
  • Join a community of support and a suite of investment-readiness resources, including a curated digital platform, asynchronous tools, and visibility through Village Capital’s website and social channels.
  • The Core and Community cohorts will benefit from exposure to Village Capital’s program website and other communications collateral.
  • All participating startups will receive two years of post-program support to enhance their impact and scale their solutions.

Eligibility

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Eligible startups must have:

  • Legal incorporation as a for-profit entity, including,  but not limited to, B Corp-certified companies.
  • Headquartered or operating in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, or the UK, with a preference for companies located near Sage’s offices in Newcastle, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Barcelona, or Lisbon.
  • 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
    • Green and Inclusive Economy and Job Growth
    • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 
  • A minimum viable product (MVP) and have raised less than USD 1.5M in equity.
  • At least one full-time founder based in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, or the UK. Meaningful customer or business validation (this can include revenue, successful pilot studies, user numbers, and/or strategic partnerships).

Application

Click here to apply


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For more information, visit Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program.

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