For the first time, companies and startups coming from North Macedonia will have the opportunity to participate in the Accelerate2030 program and develop and scale solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The three-month program is supported by two accelerators in the country – Seavus Accelerator And Business Impact Lab. Selected startups and companies will have the opportunity to work with experts and mentors.
Accelerate2030 is the world’s largest program, helping entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets adapt their solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It brings together the strengths, expertise and reach of the global Impact Hub network, UN organizations, businesses, investors and expert partners to build the capacity of impact-focused entrepreneurs in emerging markets to scale their innovations .
Building a sustainable future
“The Macedonian startup ecosystem has many entrepreneurs who are creating impact through their work and there is a lot of interest in Accelerate2030 who can help them grow their business and impact. Although some of them may not be aware of the scale of their impact and do not know that they cover some of the UN SDGs, we can see a big change on a global scale, where investors prefer to invest in startups that create impact. rather than startups without any impact on society,” Angela Mitrinovska, national coordinator of the program, told The Recursive.
According to Natasha Markovska, UNDP SDG consultant, when it comes to building a sustainable future, businesses will have a decisive role, since the private sector will be the one that invests the most in all these actions.
“Our work should be dedicated to creating an environment conducive to business and private sector buy-in. To help and support their actions, because it is a decisive role, without which we will not be able to do it,” Markovska said at the event “Activating the SDGs through Business with Purpose”.
“But they need a favorable environment, in terms of regulation, administrative and legal support, but also acceptance and adaptation to the new reality,” she added.
Entrepreneurship advice
Muhammad Fauzal Rizki, CEO and co-founder of Sampangan, an Indonesia-based circular technology company that converts waste into sustainable materials, participated in the 2019 edition of Accelerate2030.
His advice to businesses and startups in North Macedonia is that although getting into this type of entrepreneurship may seem difficult at first, it will be worth it.
“We must be resourceful and choose the path of entrepreneurship. To be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it, because it’s very difficult. But the key is just to be consistent and resilient, and to survive long enough until one day an opportunity presents itself to you. For me, that’s when I discovered the Impact Hub network and joined Accelerate2030 in 2019,” Rizki explained.
When he joined the program, he had no expectations for the results his business would achieve. The program has two segments, a national-ready program and then a global-ready program, hosted in Geneva.
“At first, I didn’t even know what the SDGs were, because I just wanted to make sure that my father’s technology was not wasted and that it was implemented at least in Indonesia and, in the best case scenario in the world. , so it will bring prosperity to my family. – That was the initial motivation. Along the way, we realized it wasn’t just a business because apparently we can create prosperity both from an economic perspective and our way of thinking that everything we do should be environmentally friendly, such as reduced carbon footprint, energy efficiency, etc. “Rizki said.
Who can apply
According to Kristijan Milevski, head of partnerships and fundraising at the Business Impact Hub, businesses from any sector can apply for the Accelerate2030 program.
“The program is open to all sectors, regardless of the sector in which companies work. What’s more important is the impact, the problem you’re solving and how you can solve it. We will also have mentors and experts who will help us with business modeling. The program is open to SDG impact companies that are in a growth phase and have growth potential, led by a motivated and capable team,” said Mileski.
According to Mitrinovska, through programs like this, not only will the country’s startup ecosystem grow, but will also help position it as a regional startup hub and make an impact on a global level.
The Accelerate2030 program is implemented in more than 25 countries around the world, and the Applications from Macedonian startups for this year’s edition closing on June 10.