The 100+ Accelerator is looking for innovative solutions that have the ability to scale quickly and make a significant impact on one or more challenge areas. The Accelerator focuses on startups that have a product in market or are prepared to go to market. Also, the Accelerator is particularly interested in supporting great teams: companies led by passionate entrepreneurs who have surrounded themselves with diverse talent that are in the best position to succeed.
100+ Accelerator invests in companies from Seed to Series B stage. It delivers 6 months of remote programming and training to accelerate the collaboration and growth of cohort companies in addition to a pilot/alliance with our partner companies. You will receive support from a global team champion, access to mentor networks and up to $100K toward pilot execution.
Their goal is to have your company complete the program and graduate to a larger commercial contract and a strong relationship with one or more partner companies.
The 100+ Accelerator was launched by AB InBev in 2018 to help the company reach its ambitious sustainability goals faster by finding startups that could deliver breakthrough advancements across five key sustainability pillars—water stewardship, smart agriculture, circular packaging, climate action and upcycling.
This year, they have concentrated and expanded to six challenge statements across a wide range of areas that all help us to contribute towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 100+ Accelerator Partner Companies’ Sustainability Goals. The 6 challenges are: smart agriculture, water stewardship, circular economy, climate action, biodiversity, and inclusive growth (equity, diversity and inclusion).
In its first two cohorts, more than half of the startups secured long term contracts with AB InBev. In 2021, The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Unilver joined AB InBev’s 100+ Accelerator to fund and pilot sustainable innovation in supply chains. In its first three cohorts, the 100+ Accelerator has worked with 70 startups in over 20 countries.
The 100+ Accelerator will provide support, guidance and access to potential funding through:
- Pilot customer opportunities with the four corporate partners: AB InBev, Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Colgate Palmolive (including the potential to scale company-wide)
- Active mentorship, training and programming in product development, go-to-market, operations, sales and more
- Top mentor network of scientists, academics, domain experts, venture capitalists, corporate sustainability leaders, etc.
- Potential funding from Partner Companies and their networks
Following are 7 new Challenges currently open for applications.
- Corona Plastic Free Challenge
- Inclusive Growth Challenge
- Climate Action Challenge
- Water Stewardship Challenge
- Smart Agriculture Challenge
- Circular Economy Challenge
- Biodiversity Challenge
Applications for the 4th cohort will open on March 28, 2022 and close on April 30, 2022.
Phases
There will be three phases, with progressively larger business goals and relationships resulting.
- Phase One: Initial pilot planning. There will be one session of at least three days for the entire cohort in New York City during this time.
- Phase Two: 100+ Accelerator will provide in-person and remote corporate development and programming to further support startups as they scale. Pilot execution will continue, along with potential investment opportunities from the 100+ Accelerator Partner Companies and other VC Funds.
- Phase Three: The Accelerator culminates in a Demo Day with investors, where they seek to highlight the best startups and celebrate their progress. After this process, if the pilot is successful partner companies seek to have a commercial deal.
** All in-person events are subject to change or convert to a virtual format based on travel restrictions.
