The Mexico Accelerator Program is an initiative created by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and New Ventures that supports Mexican social enterprises to scale their impact. It is a customized one-year program that offers specialized strategic support, training and mentoring to prepare selected companies to create corporate business alliances. At the end of the program, companies have the opportunity to submit a pilot or innovation developed during the program and receive up to $60,000 to continue its development and implementation.
Armando Laborde, partner of New Ventures, expressed his enthusiasm with the continuation of the alliance: “the relationship between IKEA and New Ventures is renewed for two more years, with which we will be able to continue strengthening entrepreneurs with social impact during 2023 and 2024. For New Ventures is a pleasure to renew this collaboration with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, an ally with which we will support not only entrepreneurs with an acceleration program, but also with the creation of a loan and with greater efforts to link entrepreneurs with the business sector” .
Despite constant economic growth, Mexico remains one of the most unequal countries in the world with major social and environmental problems such as poverty, unemployment, loss of biodiversity, waste management, poor transportation infrastructure, few opportunities labor and unequal access to water. The Mexican startup ecosystem is growing at a fast pace, however, current technical and financial support for social enterprises still has a long way to go.
“Over the past two years, the Mexico Accelerator Program has supported 20 social enterprises that create livelihood opportunities and access to affordable goods and services for Mexico’s marginalized communities and solve some of Mexico’s most pressing environmental challenges. We look forward to consolidating these alliances in the future to build more sustainable business relationships for our supply chain.” says Lars Thorsen CEO of IKANO Group.
Now in its third edition, the program supports social enterprises in creating livelihood opportunities and access to affordable goods and services for vulnerable and marginalized communities in Mexico.
10 companies selected Mexico Accelerator Program 2023
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and New Ventures is proud to announce the 10 companies that focus on social and environmental impact that will be part of the Mexico Accelerator Program 2023: Bioforestry Sustainable Innovation, Deplasticify yourself, Endémika, Fructus Vía Perfekto, Pellet México, Postcards of Coffee, Pura, Sommos and tamoa. Each of the ventures seeks to improve the quality of life of the largest number of people through the following sectors: circular solutions, climate mitigation, sustainable agriculture, sustainable food alternatives, job development, fair trade and crafts.
Selected from a successful open call, the group is made up of companies with innovative business models, which positively impact vulnerable communities and are led by talented and committed teams. We are always excited and inspired to collaborate with teams/companies that contribute to addressing social issues in our country. To all of them, congratulations.
Armando Laborde, partner at New Ventures.
“Social entrepreneurs who tackle societal challenges are change makers for a better future for people and the planet. We are excited to welcome another 10 social enterprises to join our program with New Ventures Mexico. In a world with great challenges, collaboration and joint learning are key”, commented Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV.
The program’s opening event will take place on February 27 in Mérida, Yucatán, one day before the start of the 2023 Latin American Impact Investment Forum. Better known as FLII, it is the largest impact ecosystem event in Latin America. where investors, environmental and/or social ventures, corporations and relevant actors of the impact ecosystem meet and connect.
Following the launch of the Mexico Accelerator Program, the 10 selected companies will attend FLII, where they will have the opportunity to connect with allies and strategic collaborators to support their future growth.
Will you attend FLII and would like to connect? Contact Sonia Heman, Project Manager of the Mexico Accelerator Program at [email protected].
Editorial Team The editorial team of EMPRENDEDOR.com, which for more than 27 years has worked to promote entrepreneurship.