Application Deadline:30 October 2020:

In this challenging year, the power of women in leadership was brought into high relief. Female leaders across the world steered their countries with resolve and compassion through the pandemic crisis and many of the most successful responses emerged from women-led countries: Taiwan, Germany, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. But even with growing representation in leadership in some countries, women all over the world are still subject to discriminatory laws, unequal pay, lack of access to healthcare, education and business opportunities.

And yet, through it all, women still drive an enormous amount of the economic activity in the world (over $18T) with women-owned/operated small businesses playing a critical role driving economic growth and providing livelihoods for their communities and families. In partnership with One Young World and Lead2030, we want to continue to support and promote women in business because we know that women’s economic empowerment is crucial to realizing women’s rights, gender equality and drives sustainability.

Every year, AB InBev engages with millions of small business partners, many female-owned or operated, across its value chain, from small scale farmers growing crops to micro-retailers engaging with consumers. These small businesses often lack access to formal business skills, affordable financial products or business infrastructure and it can limit their ability to grow and thrive, and to provide an adequate income for their families. In addition to supporting business and financial inclusion, solving environmental issues is essential to women’s empowerment. Women and girls are more likely to suffer from water and sanitation issues, air pollution and environmental degradation.

Challenge Criteria

Aligned: Evidently aligned with the SDG5 challenge.

Youth-led: Founded by a person aged 18 – 30.

Female founded: Led and founded by at least one female founder.

Focused: Well-structured time horizon, identified key stakeholders and beneficiaries, and proposed outcomes that are reasonable and well thought out.

Market ready: Product/service already in market or ready to go to market.

Impactful: Solutions must have a positive social impact, for example generating employment, or developing skills.

Measurable: Impacts of solutions must have been adequately measured and/or be measurable.

Financially viable: Must be able to achieve efficiency and to survive independently through the resources they generate and/or the investments and donations they attract.

Scalable: Potential to perform as well or better after expanding in scope or size and/or being transported to other regions.

Benefits

The winning solution will join the third cohort of organisations supported by the 100+ Accelerator. Participation in the program includes three key elements:

Pilot
The first three months of the program take place in-market (executing a pilot in a specific geographic zone). The start of the program will require three to five days in New York City for a minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 company representatives (preferably CEO/CTO).

Ongoing mentorship
Following this phase of the program,100+ Sustainability 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 AB InBev and partners.

Investment
100+ Accelerator will invest up to $100K in the winning solution through an uncapped convertible note. The goal of this investment is to bring startups into the AB InBev investment portfolio and help unlock the value that this can provide in terms of a closer relationship to AB InBev, globally, as well as the potential for future investment from AB InBev and its partners.

One Young World Summit
In addition, one representative of the winning solution will be invited to participate in the One Young World Summit 2021 which takes place in Munich from 23 – 26 April. 

Timeline

• 25 September 2020: Phase 1 applications open.
   
• 30 October 2020: Phase 1 applications close.
   
• 23 November 2020: Long-listed applicants invited to submit extended applications.
   
• 15 December 2020: Deadline for submission of long-listed applications.
   
• 28 January 2021: Winning solution confirmed.
   
• March 2021: 100+ Acellerator programme commences.
   
• 23 April 2021: Winner participates in the One Young World Summit 2021.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the One Young World/ABInBev Lead2030 SDG 5 Challenge 2020