Impact Shakers’ Post

The 2023 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report revealed a staggering statistic: between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022. This pressing challenge underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to transform the Agri-Food sector and ensure food security for all.   🌾 Calling All Agri-Food Startups! Are you developing groundbreaking technologies or solutions to address hunger and improve food security? Do you have a vision for a sustainable, equitable food system? The LowCarbon.earth Accelerator Program is seeking startups like yours to lead the charge in solving these critical issues.   🌱 What We Offer: -Mentorship: Gain insights and guidance from industry experts -Network Access: Connect with a global network of investors and partners -Resources and Support: Receive the tools and assistance needed to scale your solutions -Collaborative Environment: Join a community dedicated to impactful change 🚀 Why Apply? -Drive Innovation: Be at the forefront of creating sustainable solutions for global food security. -Impactful Change: Contribute to a world where no one goes hungry. -Growth Opportunities: Leverage our resources to grow and scale your startup. Be a part of the solution and help create a world where no one goes hungry. Apply now and drive the future of food security. Application deadline: August 27th. Application Link: https://lnkd.in/dWpTHcG4 For more information visit our website: www.lowcarbon.earth Massive Earth Foundation | UN Women | UN Environment Programme | Shailesh Vickram Singh | Vinutha Raju | Sheersh Singh | Mayank Mohapatra | Anjali Joshi | Neelima Gullipalli   #AgriFood #FoodSecurity #HungerSolutions #SustainableAgriculture #Innovation #Startups #TechForGood #ClimateAction #ImpactInvesting #GreenFuture #Mentorship #GlobalNetwork #ScaleUp #LowCarbonEarth #AcceleratorProgram #ApplyNow

TLDR. The 2024 Global Innovation Index's special theme explores the role of social entrepreneurship in driving transformative innovation and societal impact. It highlights the growth of social enterprises globally, addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. 🔑 Top 10 Takeaways: 1. Global Growth: 64% of countries report a rise in social enterprises. 2. Challenges Addressed: 75% focus on environmental and social issues. 3. Innovation is Key: 70% of successful ventures implement new tech. 4. Policy Support: Only 30% of social enterprises benefit from dedicated policies. 5. Financial Hurdles: 85% cite funding as a major barrier. 6. Organisational Hurdles: 50% struggle with governance issues. 7. Collaboration: 60% partner with NGOs or governments. 8. Sustainability: 55% contribute to SDGs. 9. Scalability: 40% are working on replicable models. 10. Long-term Impact: 68% show proven social returns within 5 years. Full report here: https://lnkd.in/gxym7ZGv #GlobalInnovationIndex #ESG #SocENT #SocialEnterprise #SocialInnovation #SocialImpact #SEWF World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO University of Oxford Skoll Foundation

“Diverse, early-stage startups are at the forefront of health innovation.” Kelly Bryan and Elizabeth Nguyen's new piece in ImpactAlpha illustrates how diverse startups are central to driving health equity – and the major opportunity for investors to create lasting, systems-level change by embracing a more holistic approach to health innovation (including building solutions that improve the non-medical social determinants of health for marginalized and underserved populations – in areas like food, transportation, housing, education, social connection, and safety.) They also share a window into our work supporting health equity innovations with support from Impact Ventures by Johnson & Johnson Foundation – including Dallas-based Yumlish, an initiative supporting startups reducing inequities in the US healthcare system. Yumlish provides low-cost, web/text-based, culturally-affirming nutrition programs focused on managed care plans for Medicaid-eligible populations. By eliminating Bluetooth devices and taking a non-app approach, they have unlocked a price point to service the Medicaid population, unlike their closest competitors. Read the full piece in ImpactAlpha to learn more and stay tuned for opportunities to join VilCap programs focused on health equity! https://lnkd.in/g42QArSK #healthequity #healthtech #healthinnovation #impinv #socent

The Western Australian Parliament's Inquiry into Innovation gave us a space to think about what might be needed for a vibrant innovation ecosystem in WA. Here's our takeaways: 💡 Innovation is more than tech and start-ups (we like these too) - our State's most pressing problems require social innovation. 💡 There are already incredible social innovations happening - looking at you Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, Anglicare WA, Parkerville Children and Youth Care, Department of Health (WA Health), Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together, Centre for Social Impact, Town Team Movement, Impact Collective (Chorus, Rise and Ruah Community Services), Social Reinvestment WA, The Studio School Fremantle, Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness... and many more. 💡 We have to develop visions for the future that intentionally require cross-government and collaborative work. 💡 Our innovative leaders and intrapreneurs in social and public sectors need support through new cultures, leadership and capability building. 💡 We need to look at the way innovation is funded, collaborating with philanthropy, growing innovation funds and challenge prizes, and restructuring commissioning to create a pathway for great social innovations to scale. 💡 WA should invest in the development of internal innovation teams and 'labs' in government and NfP's, and amplify the ones that already exist. 💡 We also should consider a neutral, collaborative space for big innovation (like Nesta in the UK or Vinnova in Sweden or Sitra in Finland) - and we think Lotterywest could hold that role in social innovation. Read our full submission here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gxiMvpgC

Thanks to Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of the Innovation Accelerator at the UN World Food Programme, for laying out an excellent list of what is required for Scaling Humanitarian innovation, which is CERTAINLY possible! One additional thought drawn from Moonshot Global LLC's experience supporting as impact partners to USAID's Grand Challenges for Development and Innovation Ventures and DFAT Australia's innovations, is that there is an important distinction between #scale and #spread (which is more a question of replicability whereas scale is one of financial sustainability and financial viability), and each requires different support. Spreading the solution to a different context (which may mean country or sector), may not create efficiencies that come with true scale. It may (usually) require increased investment and additional adaption. True scale is more ephemeral, but now there are many more financing tools to support this, both within ecosystems and through innovative finance (e.g., #payforresults #blendedfinance, #impactinvesting) that combines resources from commercial actors and donors/funders. We advocate for more work on tools development for innovators to get a real handle on costs and returns, both commercial and social impact-focused. #scalinginnovation #innovation #impactinvesting #payforresults Greg Spencer Common Good Marketplace Meredith "Beth" Perry Stephanie Kimber Yoon-Chan K. Katie Sullivan Eleonora Corsini Abi Perriman Leonessa CrisciRoots of Impact Oltac Unsal

🌍 Let's dive deep into the vital intersection of climate innovation and the empowerment of communities of color! 🚀 In the fight against climate change, it's imperative to acknowledge the pivotal role that communities of color play in driving innovation and finding solutions to our planet's toughest challenges. These communities often bear the disproportionate burdens of environmental injustices, yet they possess a wealth of untapped potential and creativity. To fully harness this potential, we must prioritize investments in startups led by individuals from these communities. These startups are not only developing groundbreaking technologies and initiatives but also addressing the unique needs and perspectives of their own communities. By directing more resources and support towards these startups, we not only foster economic empowerment but also drive meaningful environmental and social impact. From renewable energy ventures to sustainable agriculture initiatives, these startups are at the forefront of change, offering scalable solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Let's seize this opportunity to invest in and uplift these startups, amplifying their voices and driving collective action towards a more equitable and sustainable future. Together, we can build a world where innovation knows no bounds and where every community has the tools and resources to thrive. #ClimateInnovation #CommunityEmpowerment #SustainableStartups #EnvironmentalJustice #InvestInChange

Hey Everyone! Got big plans? Offering grants to make them happen! Apply now and let's turn those dreams into reality. It's your time to shine! 1.    European Commission: Women entrepreneurs: embracing empowerment in Somalia. This call also aims to contribute to creating an enabling environment for women’s economic activities and growth of women-owned businesses to micro- to small- and medium-sized enterprises. Deadline 16th April 2024. https://shorturl.at/jnpr0.  2.    Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The Peace, Justice & Inclusive Society Startup Competition. This competition is part of the world’s largest startup competition that aims to help startups change the world for the better. Deadline 13th May 2024. https://shorturl.at/aiBMQ 3.    Flat6Labs and Organon: Women’s Health Accelerator Program. The Women’s Health Accelerator Program is to support Femtech startups focusing on enhancing women’s health and wellness across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region. Deadline 16th May 2024. https://shorturl.at/nozNZ 4.    African Impact Challenge (AIC): This initiative aims to build the Africa we want to see by investing in the continent’s early innovators. The AIC enables them to build market-creating innovations, which tackle their country’s biggest challenges with technology. Deadline 15th April 2024. https://shorturl.at/cuQ46 5.    Siemens Stiftung: Looking for visionary enterprises at the forefront of developing tailored solutions for the emerging e-mobility sector in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, or Tanzania. If your organization is working on challenges around acceptability, affordability, or accessibility in e-mobility or related sectors. Deadline 31st May 2024. https://shorturl.at/mzCLR 6.    GIZ Rwanda: Support for the development of digital agrometeorology system for sustainable agriculture in Rwanda. Develop a digital information system for sustainable and climate change-adapted agriculture, while addressing gender-specific concerns of Rwandan women in the agricultural sector. Deadline 23rd April 2024. https://shorturl.at/oyKMQ Feel free to reach out for more info! Here to help and answer any questions you may have. Don't hesitate to get in touch! 📩 #GetInTouch #MoreInfo #Grants #ApplyNow #MakeItHappen #grantopportunities #businesselevation #digital #innovation #tech #ngos #africa #sdgs #agritech #food #capacitybuilding #startup #startupbusiness ##youthinnovation #youngentrepreneurs #eastafrica #energy #GrantResearch #youthempowerment #sustainability #grant #accelerators #cleanenergy #LetsCollab #Mobility #accelerator

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME INNOVATION CHALLENGE FOR STARTUPS – APPLY NOW World Food Programme Innovation accelerator encourage to apply innovative ideas that support WFP's operation. They host multiple WFP Innovation Challenges in search of game-changing innovations that deliver relief, foster, resilience and end hunger.  Read more and apply https://lnkd.in/dB2cNpTi WHAT PROGRAMME OFFERS 👉 Innovation Consultancy Dedicated Innovation Consultant providing project management support and creating enablers for scalability. 👉 WFP Access Creation of strategic collaborations between the Sprint team and WFP field operations, HQ Business Unit and/or Regional Bureaus towards testing and scaling within WFP and beyond. 👉 Funding  Access to up to US$100,000 equity-free funding to test the venture’s scalability potential. 👉 Mentor Support Access to need-specific mentors from our broad innovation ecosystem. Our mentors come from diverse backgrounds including experts from humanitarian agencies and partners such as John Deere, Netlight and Google. 👉 Visibility Production and dissemination of project visibility materials to internal and external audiences, including through social media and the Accelerator web page. You could either apply for topic-specific cohorts or submit your project to be reviewed on a rolling basis. APPLICATION DL Cohort I June - July 2024 Cohort II July - August 2024 The WFP Innovation Accelerator was launched by the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme in 2015 to source new ideas, sprint pilot projects, and scale high-impact innovations by connecting them with WFP’s global network in over 120 countries and territories. From its base in Munich, Germany, the WFP Innovation Accelerator has grown to become one of the world's leading social impact startup accelerators. Together with the network of WFP regional innovation hubs and country office innovation teams, portfolio ventures and with the support of our partners, in 2023 the WFP Innovation Accelerator ran 14 programmes addressing a wide range of social impact and sustainability issues, including climate change, primary healthcare, gender equality, and emergency response.  #startups #Finland World Food Programme #innovationchallenge

"Humanitarian innovations never scale" ... A common myth. Don't trust me, trust facts. The colored countries below reflect the countries where the World Food Programme innovations from our recent Humanitarian Ventures Accelerator with Google are now already active. What's the secret sauce? 1) Amazing innovations and innovation teams This isn't just about a great idea, this is about taking initiative, being entrepreneurial, being able to "sell your idea" and also building it so that it solves a real problem 2) A scaling pathway These innovations here are all WFP internal, so the obvious pathway is - if the innovation works, there is no reason why it shouldn't scale from one country to the next. WFP has people on the ground in 120 countries and territories. But it doesn't stop there, some of these innovations could also be interesting or others! 3) Critical support For some innovations the critical gap is cash (it often is!), but also technical or business capabilities - that's exactly what we as WFP Innovation Accelerator, but also Google for Startups Accelerator provide. That doesn't mean point 1) above isn't the most critical, but you can of course accelerate :). 4) Iterate, co-develop It doesn't matter which jargon term you use, but it's about developing the solutions together with the people that it's intended for (in human centered design you could say people, users, customers). This is critical so that your solution solves a real problem. And as you see in the map below - for scaling, it has to solve problems in more than one country or region 5) Partnerships & communications Specifically in social impact, partnerships or collaborations are essential. It's about how to work with communities, with other organizations. And it's critical to be able to communicate the problem, solution, vision of the innovation. That's where a lot of great innovations fall short - sometimes it's even because people are shying away from advocating for the solution that they are building. So what do you think? Can humanitarian innovations scale? (I'll link the description of the 10 innovations in our latest program in the comments below) #innovation #socialimpact #humanitarian

🌟 Living the Dream: From School Days to Innovation Advocate 🌟 As I reflect on my journey as a research consultant in South Africa's vibrant science and innovation landscape, I can't help but marvel at the twists and turns that led me here. It's like life had its own secret recipe, blending my childhood dreams with the realities of today. 🔬 The Early Spark: A Young Scientist's Aspirations 🔬 Back in my primary school days, I was that wide-eyed kid who dreamt of donning a lab coat, goggles perched on my nose, and concocting magical potions. Science was my playground, and the universe was my canvas. I envisioned myself unearthing hidden truths, solving mysteries, and making groundbreaking discoveries. Oh, how I wanted to be a scientist! 🧪🔍 🌱 The Unrecognized Calling: Seeds Sown in Rural Soil 🌱 Fast forward to the present, and my path diverged from the traditional scientist's trajectory. As a research consultant, I found myself navigating the intricate web of innovation, entrepreneurship, and rural development. My mission? To bring innovation to the heart of our nation, where fertile soil meets untapped potential. 🌍 Cultivating Change: Innovation in Rural Areas 🌍 In the quiet corners of our country, away from bustling cities, lie communities hungry for progress. Here, I sowed seeds of innovation—ideas that sprouted into sustainable solutions. From solar-powered water pumps to mobile health clinics, we transformed rural landscapes. Each innovation carried the promise of a better tomorrow. 🚀 Entrepreneurship Takes Flight: Nurturing Dreams 🚀 But it wasn't just about gadgets and gizmos. It was about fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. We ignited sparks in young minds, teaching them to dream beyond boundaries. Their eyes lit up as they realized that innovation wasn't reserved for Silicon Valley—it thrived right here, in the heart of South Africa. 💡 The Unimagined Dream: A Different Kind of Fulfillment 💡 And so, my unrecognized calling became my purpose. The dream I didn't envision—the one that didn't involve lab coats or test tubes—unfolded beautifully. I discovered that living the dream isn't about ticking boxes; it's about creating ripples of change. It's about empowering others to dream, innovate, and rewrite their narratives. So here I am, not the scientist I once imagined, but something more—a catalyst, a bridge between ideas and impact. And you know what? It's even better than my childhood dreams. Life has a way of surprising us, doesn't it? 🌈✨ #InnovationAdvocate #DreamsUnfolded #RuralRevolution