Join the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement
Acceleration Program
The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement (SAFE) Acceleration Program is a program to support and scale innovative business models that tackle Southeast Asia’s most urgent challenges in sustainable agriculture and food security.
Southeast Asia faces mounting food security challenges, with 60% of its population reliant on agriculture for livelihoods, yet climate change, with increasing droughts and floods impacting crop yields. The region loses an estimated 10–30% of crops annually to pests, extreme weather, and poor infrastructure, deepening rural poverty and malnutrition. Limited access to technology and financing, and aging farming populations need to be addressed to ensure the long-term sustainability of food systems.
The SAFE Acceleration Program is looking to support four high-potential agri-enterprises that are creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers, fisherfolks, women, and/or indigenous communities in Laos, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. We aim to support models that integrate nature-based solutions: those protecting the biodiversity of lands, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
The SAFE Acceleration Program is a fully virtual 3-month program designed and implemented by Villgro Philippines in collaboration with SEARCA (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture).
Through this program, we will:
Identify
Innovative enterprises that address a pressing need in sustainable agriculture and enhancing food security, while promoting sustainable use of natural resources
Provide
Hands-on support from business and domain experts on product development, go-to-market, scaling strategies, and investment readiness
Catalyze
Business models that include small-holder farmers, fisherfolks, women, and indigenous peoples as stakeholders, with connections to appropriate capital providers and networks to grow
What the Program Offers
Tailored Capacity Building
A customized program designed to empower enterprises by enhancing their skills and knowledge in key areas of business, finance, climate and social impact, and gender assessment through deep-dive learning sessions and coaching
Curated Mentorship
Access to one-to-one mentoring by business and domain experts to support lean experimentation, and business model validation and growth
Peer Learning and Coaching
An opportunity to learn with and from peers on business and personal growth through structured sharing circles and coaching sessions to unlock practical advice, insights and solutions
Investment Readiness
Participants will receive training and support to enhance their investment readiness, including financial modeling, investor deck preparation, and connections to Villgro’s extensive network of impact investors
Gender-Smart Training
Enterprises shall undergo a Gender-smart data collection and assessment, and receive corresponding training and support to promote gender inclusivity and develop gender responsive policies across the business’ value chain and organization
Follow-on Funding
Enterprises that are ready and have investment potential will have the opportunity to get matched and connect with Villgro Philippines’ partner investors at the end of the acceleration program
Impact Showcase
The program will culminate in an Impact Showcase, where enterprises will have the opportunity to present their innovations to an audience of potential investors, market partners, and key stakeholders
Meet the Cohort
Program Timeline
April-May 2025
Screening & Selection
June-August 2025
Acceleration Program
August 2025
Impact Showcase
About Us
The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Enhancement (SAFE )Acceleration Program is designed and implemented by Villgro Philippines in collaboration with SEARCA (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture).
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is a non-profit organization established by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in 1966. SEARCA is at the forefront of advancing smart agriculture for climate resilience in Southeast Asia. With a focus on emerging innovations and transformative technologies, SEARCA promotes sustainable agricultural development and carbon neutrality through education, research, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships. It also supports agritech startups through agri-incubation and acceleration programs, fostering innovation to tackle the region’s climate challenges and improve the livelihoods of farmers and their families.
Villgro Philippines
Villgro Philippines is a gender-smart incubator that funds, mentors and nurtures enterprises addressing the most pressing social and climate issues. Over the last 6 years, Villgro Philippines has supported more than 160 enterprises across climate, health, education, agriculture, affordable housing, and gender in South and Southeast Asia. Villgro Philippines established the Nüshu Network (formerly WE Rise Community) in partnership with UN Women in 2021 to connect women entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, and resources. In collaboration with xchange, Villgro Philippines launched the Impact Pioneers Network, providing early-stage impact entrepreneurs access to debt and equity investments. Their gender-focused initiatives have earned numerous awards, including recognition as a Youth Gender Champion in 2020 and a Gender Responsive Marketplace for SMEs in 2021, and Innovative Financing Mechanism in 2024 by the UN Women Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. Villgro Philippines is certified under the Gender Lens Incubation and Acceleration standards.