Washington, DC (March 19, 2026) – Village Capital, in partnership with Sage Foundation, announced the 2026 Core and Community cohorts of the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program.
In 2025, the program supported 56 startups working to address critical social and environmental challenges and deployed USD 420K in total equity‑free funding to entrepreneurs. This included USD 250K in USD 10K business grants to all 25 Core cohort companies, and USD 170K in peer- and audience-selected business grant funding. Building on that strong first year, the 2026 cohort includes 57 additional startups, bringing the total supported to 113 startups and advancing the initiative toward its three-year goal of backing 165 high-impact startups.
Reflecting growing demand for founder-centered support, applications increased by 85% in 2026, including expanded interest from Germany as the program broadened its regional reach. The startups will receive tailored mentorship, targeted training, access to equity-free grants, and Sage product support to help scale their innovative solutions and impact. The startups will continue to receive support for up to two years, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to grow sustainably, strengthen their foundations, and deliver lasting impact.
Across the cohort, founders are creating solutions at the intersection of sustainability and social impact. In the US, AquaOrganix converts organic waste into premium fertilizer in just 24 hours, diverting material from landfills and reducing methane and CO₂ emissions. In Germany, Circular Grain upcycles brewer’s spent grain into plant-based milk alternatives, while London-based Ganddee is building an AI-powered marketplace that connects shoppers with local second-hand stores to drive circular consumption.
Speaking on their selection into the program, Pavlina Theodosiou, CEO and Co-Founder at UK-based METzero, shared: “Being accepted felt like a real validation of the work we're doing at METzero, and it gives me confidence that we'll have the right mentoring and support as we prepare for our upcoming fundraising round.”
Equally excited about having the right support at a pivotal growth stage, Joseph Mooney, CEO and Co-Founder at Wattair, based in the US, shared, “Scaling climate technologies requires more than just strong science; it requires the right community, mentorship, and investor readiness. Being part of a program that focuses on supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs while helping them prepare for the next stage of growth is incredibly valuable as we move from pilots toward broader deployment.”
Helen Devanny, Vice President at Sage Foundation, added: “The growth in
applications shows the rising ambition of impact-driven founders and the urgency of the challenges they’re working to solve. We continue to be inspired by the quality of those
applying and the ambition behind their solutions. Through our partnership with Village Capital, we’re proud to help entrepreneurs scale solutions that drive meaningful change, multiplying Sage’s impact far beyond our own business.”
Kelly Bryan, Regional Director at Village Capital, said: “At Village Capital, we believe the future of impact lies in founders who are building practical, scalable solutions rooted in the realities their communities face every day. The 2026 Sage Impact Entrepreneurship cohorts reflect that belief – entrepreneurs who are not only addressing critical challenges for people and the planet, but doing so with models designed for long-term resilience and growth. Through this partnership with Sage, we’re strengthening the ecosystems around these founders by equipping them with the right networks, capital, and strategic support they need to transform their innovations and create measurable environmental impact.”
Explore the full list of startups in the US and Europe.
For more information on Sage Foundation and its impact, please visit Sage Foundation - Charity Support | Sage US.
For more information, reach out to Eva Waweru at Village Capital (eva.waweru@vilcap.com).
About Sage Foundation
Sage Foundation has been knocking down barriers in our communities since 2015. By mobilising our colleagues, partners, and customers through impactful programmes, Sage Foundation is helping underrepresented entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while equipping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow with the skills they need to succeed.
About Sage
Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small- and mid-sized businesses served by us, our partners, and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR, and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology, and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality, and the climate crisis.
About Village Capital
Village Capital is a global leader in impact investing, helping early-stage startups access the type of social and financial capital they need to grow – reshaping the supply and demand sides of capital flows as a result.
Since 2009, Village Capital has directly supported more than 2,100 impact startups in 70 countries. Together, these founders have raised over $9.6B across economic mobility, environmental sustainability, and access to essential services. It has made 116 investments through its various affiliated funds, including Vilcap Investments, which has invested in 91 peer-selected companies. Additionally, 26,000 entrepreneurs have used its Abaca web app to take at least one assessment, helping them expand their access to financial capital. Learn more at www.vilcap.com and follow @villagecapital.