Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program 2026: Scaling Solutions for People and the Planet

The urgency of local weather change, social inequities, and environmental degradation has by no means been extra pronounced. Addressing these challenges requires progressive, scalable options pushed by visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to creating optimistic social, ecological, and financial affect.

In response to this want, Village Capital, in partnership with the Sage Foundation, proudly presents the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program 2026—a multi-year initiative designed to empower early-stage startups throughout Europe, the UK, and the United States. This program supplies mentorship, strategic coaching, grant funding, and world publicity to startups tackling society’s most urgent challenges.

By fostering a neighborhood of purpose-driven entrepreneurs and equipping them with the instruments to scale, the program goals to speed up systemic change and allow sustainable, measurable affect throughout a number of sectors.

Program Overview

The Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program is structured round two cohorts:

1. Core Cohort: Selected early-stage startups obtain intensive, tailor-made help, together with one-on-one mentorship, entry to Sage’s merchandise, interactive workshops, and grant funding to speed up progress.
2. Community Cohort: Additional startups take part in a digital, versatile studying surroundings, accessing curated assets, networking alternatives, and ongoing help whereas benefiting from visibility by Village Capital’s platforms.

All taking part startups obtain two years of post-program help, offering continuity, entry to assets, and steerage to make sure long-term sustainability.

The Urgent Problem: Why This Program Matters

Environmental and Climate Challenges

Across Europe and the United States, local weather change has had profound financial, social, and environmental penalties. Rising temperatures, excessive climate, and air pollution threaten livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

• Europe: Since 1980, climate-related occasions have triggered over 240,000 deaths and €730 billion in damages. Air air pollution alone prices an estimated €600 billion yearly, disproportionately affecting weak populations.
• United States: 2024 was the hottest yr on file, exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial ranges. Projected temperature will increase of three.2°C by 2030 may expose 600 million individuals to flooding and halve meals manufacturing, with rural and lower-income communities dealing with the most extreme impacts.

Social and Economic Inequities

Environmental crises typically exacerbate social and financial inequities. Startups that combine sustainability and fairness can drive systemic change, create jobs, and strengthen neighborhood resilience. By supporting these ventures, the program promotes inclusive progress and empowers entrepreneurs to construct scalable, measurable options that profit society and the planet.

Who Should Apply

The program is designed for early-stage startups with a minimal viable product (MVP), demonstrating innovation, market validation, and progress potential.

Common Eligibility Criteria

• Legal Structure: For-profit entities, together with B Corp-certified firms.
• Impact Focus: Solutions addressing no less than one in all the following verticals:
  • Clean Energy Transition
  • Biodiversity & Nature-Based Solutions
  • Smart Mobility & Sustainable Infrastructure
  • Sustainable Supply Chain & Manufacturing
  • Circular Resource Solutions
  • Climate-Resilient Health & Wellness
  • Disaster-Resilient Housing & Community Planning
  • Climate Finance & Insurance Innovation
  • Environmental Justice & Social Equity
  • Data Analytics & Climate Intelligence
  • Green & Inclusive Economy and Job Growth
  • Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
• Stage: MVP developed and raised lower than USD 1.5M in fairness.
• Team: At least one full-time founder positioned in the program’s eligible area.
• Validation: Demonstrated traction with clients, pilot research, customers, or strategic partnerships.

Startups that don’t meet all standards are inspired to apply. Cohort placement (Core or Community) is set primarily based on stage, potential affect, and alignment with program goals.

Differentiated Programs: Europe & UK vs the United States

Sage Impact Entrepreneurship: Europe & UK

• Target Locations: UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain
• Core Cohort Size: 12 early-stage startups
• Community Cohort Size: 15 startups
• Application Deadline: January 5, 2026
• Program Dates:
  • Virtual Sprint Week: March 24–27, 2026
  • Virtual Workshops: April 14–16, May 5–7, May 26–28, 2026
  • In-Person Program Summit: June 11–12, 2026, London, UK
• Apply Here: Europe & UK Application

This program emphasizes regional collaboration and engagement with native ecosystems, together with company companions, buyers, and mentors from throughout Europe. Participants will discover sustainable options tailor-made to European market dynamics whereas benefiting from world publicity.

Sage Impact Entrepreneurship: United States

• Target Locations: Across the United States
• Core Cohort Size: 12–13 early-stage startups
• Community Cohort Size: 14–16 startups
• Application Deadline: January 5, 2026
• Program Dates:
  • Virtual Sprint Week: March 24–27, 2026
  • Virtual Workshops: April 14–16, May 5–7, May 26–28, 2026
  • In-Person Program Summit: June 8–9, 2026, Location TBC
• Apply Here: US Application

The U.S. program focuses on nationwide and world sustainability challenges, leveraging innovation hubs, company networks, and mentorship alternatives to speed up impact-driven options. Startups achieve insights into regulatory frameworks, market traits, and funding readiness inside the U.S. context.

Program Benefits

Core Cohort

1. Mentorship & Strategic Guidance
   • Engage with trade leaders, buyers, and potential companions in mock board conferences.
   • One-on-one mentorship classes to refine enterprise fashions, monetary planning, and progress technique.
2. Capacity-Building Workshops
   • Four interactive workshops to set milestones, put together for capital elevating, and optimize operational technique.
3. Financial & Investment Support
   • Access to monetary teaching and evaluation for enterprise modeling, unit economics, and investor diligence.
   • Grant funding: USD 10,000 per startup; high peer-selected startups obtain USD 50,000 and USD 25,000, respectively.
4. Networking Opportunities
   • Connect with buyers, company companions, founders, and mentors throughout sustainability sectors.
5. Travel Stipends
   • Funding to attend the in-person Program Summit.
6. Product Support
   • Access to Sage’s merchandise to reinforce operational effectivity and progress (particulars forthcoming).

Community Cohort

• Access to a curated digital platform with asynchronous instruments.
• Visibility by Village Capital’s community and communications channels.
• Two years of post-program help for scaling affect.

Both cohorts achieve lifelong entry to Village Capital’s alumni community, fostering collaboration, studying, and world publicity.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, startups will:

• Enhance management, operational, and monetary expertise.
• Develop methods to scale sustainable and equitable options.
• Access world networks of buyers, companions, and mentors.
• Join a neighborhood of high-impact entrepreneurs driving systemic change.

By combining sensible instruments, mentorship, and publicity, the program ensures members are geared up to realize long-term measurable affect.

Strategic Partners

• Village Capital – Expertise in enterprise acceleration and affect investing
• Sage Foundation – Championing purpose-driven entrepreneurship
• Corporate and institutional companions offering mentorship, funding, and operational steerage

These partnerships allow the program to offer a holistic ecosystem for startup progress and sustainability affect.

Application Process

Startups are inspired to apply through the respective regional application portals:

Application Deadline for Both Regions: January 5, 2026

Selection can be primarily based on startup potential, stage, and alignment with program goals, with cohort placement communicated upon acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the aim of the program?
To speed up early-stage startups offering progressive options to pressing environmental and social challenges.

2. Do members have to relocate?
No. The program is primarily digital; in-person attendance is required solely for the Program Summit.

3. Is fairness taken by the program?
No. Startups retain full possession.

4. How are cohorts decided?
Placement in Core or Community Cohorts relies on startup maturity, affect potential, and alignment with program goals.

Conclusion

The Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program 2026 is an unparalleled alternative for early-stage startups to achieve mentorship, strategic steerage, funding, and world publicity. By becoming a member of the program, entrepreneurs are empowered to create measurable environmental, social, and financial affect, scale progressive options, and be a part of a community of purpose-driven leaders worldwide.

Startups throughout Europe, the UK, and the United States are inspired to apply earlier than January 5, 2026, and take the subsequent step towards driving sustainable change.

For extra alternatives, go to: opportunitiesforyouth.org

 

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