12 October 2017: Accelerate2030 announced the selection of the nine best ventures to implement innovative solutions towards social, economic and environmental needs. The Accelerate2030 programme of Impact Hub Geneva and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) aims to scale up the impact of ventures that contribute to the SDGs internationally, and to leverage the potential of entrepreneurs to play a pivotal role in the 2030 Agenda.
The programme selects the best ventures from 17 countries in four continents, and connects them to a wide network of expert partners. The finalists were selected for: readiness to scale to new markets; providing proven solutions in achieving sustainable impact; focusing on activities in developing and transitioning countries; and showing innovation in addressing local needs. Among other activities, the Accelerate2030 finalists were invited to UNDP’s Social Good Summit, which convened in Geneva, Switzerland, on 13 October 2017, and sought to showcase innovative solutions led by entrepreneurs from developing countries to solve pressing issues, and to focus on ways to leverage private sector investment to achieve the SDGs.
The nine finalists are:
- WholeSurplus (Turkey), a Software as a service (SaaS) marketplace that significantly reduces waste, while saving money and time for retailers and food businesses by providing the most accurate data analytics;
- SafeMotos (Rwanda), a Uber-style ride hailing platform specifically designed for motorcycle taxis in emerging markets with the mission of making motorcycle transportation more efficient and safer for passengers;
- Syafunda (South Africa), a platform that provides a mix of traditional and familiar elements of learning into a digital environment (such as interactive video tutorials), uses data analytics on usage and performance, and can profile students for support, career guidance, and university scholarship placement;
- hearX Group (Pty) Ltd (South Africa), an award-winning startup with the mission of providing affordable access to healthcare through mobile health solutions that anyone can use, anywhere;
- Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt) (Philippines), which has developed an innovative energy solution using salt water to power ecologically designed lamps for off-grid and disaster prone communities;
- TREE Alliance (Cambodia), a global alliance of training restaurants, building futures for marginalized young people and adults;
- Hablando Con Julis (Colombia), a technological solution that enables people with communication impediments at all ages to read, write, speak, and learn by the use of images that are interpreted through written and voiced words;
- Piipee (Brazil), which reduces toilet water use; and
- HM Energy Mexico, which offers a thermal-conversion process to converting pollutant waste tires into valuable commodities, and cleaner diesel fuel.
Accelerate2030 includes Pfizer and Swiss Re as global partners. Its implementing partners comprise: the International Trade Centre, B Lab Switzerland, Dalberg, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Sidley, Endeva, WIPO GREEN, the Ground_Up Project, Louise Le Gat, Quadia, Scaling4good, Sustainable Finance Geneva, and the AlphaMundi Group Ltd. It also includes various supporters and eco-system partners. [Accelerate2030 Website] [Accelerate2030 2017 Finalists] [ITU News on Accelerate2030 Finalists]