SDG Impact Accelerator 2nd programme is coming to an end, marking the beginning of the implementation phase. Ten start-ups from two cohorts in Bangladesh and Uganda will be presenting their solutions at the virtual Demo Day on July 8th.

06 July 2021 – Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Impact Accelerator, a global accelerator focusing on empowering impact entrepreneurs and innovators, is soon completing the Acceleration phase of its second programme.

Funded by the Turkish Government, SDGia second programme has been seeking solutions for Digital Agriculture in Uganda and Financial Inclusion in Bangladesh, by mentoring and funding founders and innovators with the help of global investors, mentors, and partners.

Both cohorts, ten teams combined, from Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, and the UK have been selected to join the acceleration programme out of 1K applications in March. During the six-week acceleration programme, ten teams received some 150 hours of mentoring from the global mentor network of SDGia, including investors, founders, private sector professionals, and public representatives.

During the programme, SDGia Talks series have been organized on issues such as impact, entrepreneurship, agritech and fintech. SDGia Talks hosted six expert speakers from UNDP’s SDG Finance Sector Hub, Bangladesh’s SBK Tech Ventures, Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, London-based Plus Value, and International Fund for Agricultural Development.

In addition to SDGia Talks, closed sessions were held with the representatives of Business Call to Action (BCtA) and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Two teams from each cohort to be selected for the implementation phase will be eligible to receive an equity-free grant of up to $100,000. Announcement of the selected teams will be made by

• H.E. Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs, Republic of Turkey 
• Honourable Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uganda  (TBC)
• Honourable State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, ICT Division, Bangladesh

on the Demo Day.

Registration

The registration for the Demo Day can be done through sdgia.org/demoday

Financial Inclusion Cohort Team Information

Bhalo, Bangladesh: Bhalo is an agri-input marketplace that connects high-quality agri-input suppliers with small farmers and retailers.

Fundfina, India / UK: Affordable, accessible, and appropriate small business financing on an open platform.

MyCash, Bangladesh: A mobile-only remittance service for the unbanked migrants in their mother tongue.

Shadhin, Bangladesh: Fintech platform bringing individuals under one marketplace for P2P funding.

Whrrl, India: Blockchain platform for asset-backed lending.

Digital Agriculture Cohort Team Information

AgroSupply, Uganda: Agro Supply develops a layaway payment platform to help smallholder farmers pay for inputs without taking credit.

Borlaug Web Services, India / Netherlands: BWS is a purpose-built blockchain SaaS platform ensuring traceable, sustainable & compliant   agri-value chains.

Flamingoo Foods, Tanzania: Using cutting-edge climate tech to forecast food deficit and surplus areas before they are known.

ForFarming, Turkey: ForFarming develops smart solutions to increase agricultural yield, resource efficiency, food safety, and quality.

Nampya Farmers Market, Uganda: Formal agrifood marketplace matching farmers and food retailers.

Regular updates

For updates regarding the status and news besides SDGia Talks, please visit SDGia official website and social media accounts:

• www.sdgia.org
• Twitter: @sdgiaorg
• Facebook and LinkedIn: SDG Impact Accelerator
• Instagram: sdgiaorg

For more information:

Please contact SDGia Team, info@sdgia.org