Fresh from the success of the inaugural edition of the 100+ Accelerator program, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s leading brewer, invites startups to apply for the second edition of the program. With the goal of creating a sustainable future, 100+ Accelerator works towards mobilising the world’s brightest minds to solve some of the most pressing global sustainability challenges.
The 2020 edition will see AB InBev issuing challenge statements in line with the company’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, revolving around smart agriculture, water stewardship, circular packaging, and climate action. AB InBev is inviting partners who can deliver breakthrough advancements in a variety of areas to make progress towards these goals, including different forms of recycling, renewable energy solutions, water conservation within and outside the breweries, and increasing farm quality and yield.
Commenting on this launch, Ben Verhaert, President – South Asia, AB InBev said, “We want to build a company to last for the next 100+ years and beyond, and this ambition relies on driving sustainability across our business. We believe that collective action is needed to deliver systemic change. For the 2020 edition, we are calling start-ups with new technologies and innovations to scale game-changing solutions and accelerate action. Last year, we had defined our 2025 sustainability goals, focusing on four key areas closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We will leverage our resources, experiences and scale to support these entrepreneurs as part of the 100+ Accelerator program to solve these challenges that will create a better world for all.”
Applications to the 2020 100+ Accelerator program can be accessed through this website. Entries close on October 30, 2019, at midnight PST. Once the applications are filed, following an initial screening process, the selection team will carefully review each application and successful applicants will be announced on December 13, 2019 to participate in the program. The selected startups will be provided funding and guidance to solve environmental and social challenges. Similar to last year’s program, the 2020 100+ Accelerator will begin with a pilot sprint for each selected startup to validate product-market fit, followed by a structured curriculum focused on integrating with a large corporate partner and best practices for scaling.
Diane Wauters, Director - Sustainability and Agricultural Development, APAC, AB InBev commented, “The growth of the industry has provided us ample opportunities to work towards achieving sustainability across markets and communities. Sustainability being at the core of our business, our focus is to be an enabler in this space. Post the success of last year’s edition, we are delighted to invite applications from the next batch of inspiring entrepreneurs and are eager to see the innovative solutions this cohort will bring. Through the 100+ Accelerator program, we aim to empower driven and committed start-ups who are working towards shaping communities through innovative solutions. Building on our entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative approach, the program will bring us a step closer towards building a sustainable future.”
In the inaugural edition, two startups from India were chosen to be part of the program, out of 21 companies selected worldwide. Spanning water stewardship and smart agriculture, the India cohort includes KisanHub, an enterprise SaaS platform providing actionable insights across the supply chain for the agri-food industry and OpenWater, a waste water treatment startup that uses micro-electric fields to treat water,
For more information on the program or to apply, visit here.