UNDP and Impact Hub launch #Accelerate2030 platform

YEREVAN — UNDP and Impact Hub joined forces to launch the #Accelerate2030 platform aimed at supporting and promoting the most promising impact-driven ventures across the globe, who focus on tackling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Five entrepreneurs, selected with the support of the global Impact Hub network, will have the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Social Good Summit Geneva, Switzerland on October 6th 2016.

During the event the entrepreneurs will showcase their innovation and explore opportunities for expansion and scaling of their solutions. They will be connected with a dynamic ecosystem of impact investors, representatives from international organizations and governments, experts from the global supply chain and fellow entrepreneurs – all committed to supporting innovative ideas that accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.

To be eligible for #Accelerate2030, entrepreneurs need to be working on solutions focused on one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals. Membership in Impact Hub is not a requirement, however, entrepreneurs need to apply through the Impact Hub in their country.

“The aim of #Accelerate2030 is to empower impact-driven innovators and entrepreneurs who are committed to tackling the biggest social and environmental problems of our time. I see the #SGSGeneva as a unique opportunity for these entrepreneurs to get visibility and exposure, as well as to explore scaling opportunities and to build strategic relationships with international peers, including the Geneva development and finance community,” said Alexandra ‘Santu’ Boëthius, Co-founder and Impact Hub Lead of #Accelerate2030.

#Accelerate2030 will accept applications until August 25th for the Impact Hub Yerevan. The final round of the national pre-selection will take place in Yerevan on September 5th, where the semi-finalists will pitch their ideas to the national jury. The top three nominated ventures from each country will then be reviewed by an international jury which will select the top five ventures to take part in the Social Good Summit in Geneva.

“Impact-driven entrepreneurs play a crucial role in tackling the SDGs as they often have an exceptional understanding of pressing social needs in their local communities. UNDP’s Social Enterprise Facility, that we are launching, aims to support their work and grow the ‘impact ecosystem.’ In that context, UNDP and Impact Hub joint initiative – #Accelerate2030 – is highly welcomed,” noted Bradley Busetto, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia.

In addition to the event hosted in Geneva, the ventures nominated at national level will receive an invitation to the conference “Impact Investment and International Development Organizations” (IIIDO) hosted by UNDP and INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Initiative in Yerevan, Armenia in March, 2017. IIIDO will focus on the opportunities and mechanisms of impact investing and the role that development agencies can play in promoting it. This event will present the entrepreneurs with another great opportunity to present their projects to both impact investors and development organizations targeting sustainable development goals as part of their major missions.

The national Impact Hubs participating in this first edition of #Accelerate2030 are: Sao Paolo (Brazil), Caracas (Venezuela), Bogotá (Colombia), Accra (Ghana), Bamako (Mali), Khartoum (Sudan), Yerevan (Armenia), Moscow (Russia), Manila (The Philippines) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). – See more at: http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/sdg/19402/#sthash.H8AApU2V.dpuf