Accelerating innovative enterprises building solutions at the nexus of climate, gender, and health
About the Nexus for Equity Accelerator
The Nexus for Equity Accelerator by Villgro Philippines is a program designed to catalyze gender-responsive, women-led, and women-benefitting enterprises addressing climate change in the Philippines. Through 24 months of tailored support, the program seeks to support enterprises to strengthen business models, unlock fit-for-purpose financing and deepen and measure climate, gender, and health outcomes.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change but are undeniably powerful change agents in climate action – women are innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs, workers, and customers in climate related fields. Despite this, the finance ecosystem does not often embed gender equity, leading to women and women-led solutions being left behind.
The Nexus for Equity Accelerator is on a bold mission to address the gender inequalities that persist in climate finance, and ensure women-led and women-benefitting enterprises have an equal seat at the table and access to the funding, networks, and technical support they need to scale climate solutions.
The program will support 35 enterprises in Phase 1 through capacity building and coaching, and will select 15 enterprises in Phase 2 for a tailored investment readiness and growth support, for access to capital in Phase 3.
Join us to move the needle on gender equality and advance healthy solutions for our planet.
The Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF) is an innovative public-private partnership among Amazon, Reckitt, Skoll Foundation, The UPS Foundation, and Visa Foundation. Grant-making under CGEF is managed by 2X Global.
The nexus of Climate, Gender, and Health
Women and girls, especially from marginalized groups, are disproportionately impacted by climate disasters due to poverty and dependence on natural resources. Despite bearing the brunt of these risks, they are vital leaders in climate mitigation and adaptation, with unique skills and local knowledge that drive impactful solutions.
However, gender equity remains largely absent in climate finance, with only 1% of over $600 billion in 2021 flows adopting a gender lens. Addressing this gap requires reducing financial barriers, fostering leadership through networks and mentorship, and equipping women and girls to implement community-driven climate solutions. They are key to building a more inclusive and effective climate movement.
This program aims to support gender-responsive enterprises creating tangible impact at the nexus of climate, gender and health.
Program Structure
Phase 1 | Climate Gateway
35 climate enterprises will be selected in the Climate Gateway phase to take part in an intensive 8-week learning immersion to strengthen your business model, refine value proposition, and build the confidence to scale your climate solution.
The program will support selected enterprises to:
• Strengthen offerings to customers and refine business model
• Develop an articulated, ambitious growth plan
• Understand investment readiness and how to fundraise
Deep-Dive Learning sessions
Access workshops and masterclasses through virtual learning labs led by industry experts on key topics like pricing and unit economics, planning pilots, sales strategies, financial management, climate impact measurement, investment readiness and more.
Leadership Coaching
Enhance your capacity and capability as a leader through a high-impact curriculum with self-paced learning modules on imposter syndrome, unconscious bias, purpose-driven leadership, and personal branding.
Tailored Mentoring
All enterprises can access office hours with business mentors and investment coaches to help refine growth plans, strengthen pitches and storytelling, and identify clear fundraising asks.
Peer Learning
An opportunity to learn with and from peers on business and personal growth through structured sharing circles to unlock practical advice and solutions for you and your business.
Venture Showcase
The Climate Gateway phase shall culminate in a venture competition and showcase to provide an avenue for 35 enterprises to pitch their business models and growth plans, connect with industry partners, network with gender-smart climate finance players and access follow-on support. 15 enterprises will be selected for Phase 2 and be awarded seed funding.
Phase 2 | Climate Runway: Investment Readiness Accelerator
15 selected enterprises will join the Climate Runway phase, a six-month investment readiness accelerator with customized support to help action your growth plans, gear up your business mode for scale, and prepare to raise and infuse capital into your business.
The program will enable enterprises to:
• Understand your enterprises growth objectives and identify gaps
• Conduct lean experiments to grow your customers and sales
• Connect and unlock appropriate financing from investors for sustained growth
Seed Funding
All 15 enterprises will receive seed funding of up to USD5,000* to be used to conduct lean experiments to validate business models or scale operations during the program. At the end of the program, 3 enterprises will be selected to receive an additional non-dilutive funding of USD15,000* to support their fundraising and growth needs.
(*Inclusive of applicable taxes)
* Amount in USD to be converted to PHP following foreign exchange rates upon release
Strategy Diagnostic Sessions
Each enterprise will take part in a dedicated diagnostic session designed to be both a needs assessment and a strategy session. A select tailored group of business and industry experts come together with the enterprise’s leadership team in a mini-board style format to dive into gaps and opportunities for the business model and develop growth plans based on the team’s vision. This will support the creation of a customized acceleration plan for each enterprise.
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 strategies through deep dive masterclasses and coaching from global experts.
One-on-One Business and Sector Mentoring
Each enterprise will have access to one-to-one personalized mentoring by business and domain experts to support fundraising and business growth plans of enterprises.
Needs-Based Technical Assistance
Based on needs, each enterprise will have its own tailored technical assistance on accounting, finance, regulatory compliance, market positioning, and/or brand building to help build investment-ready scalable climate ventures
Gender-Responsive 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 Access
Enterprises that are ready and have investment potential will have the opportunity to get matched and connect with Villgro Philippines’ partner investors and financial institutions at the end of the accelerator program to unlock fit-for-purpose capital appropriate to business needs.
Phase 3 | Climate Accelerate: Access to Finance
Enterprises that connect with investors or need continued support to raise capital will have dedicated support from our investments team to go through investor due diligence, help with deal structuring and closing for an additional 12 months, through the program’s Climate Accelerate phase.
Investment Learning Sessions: Enterprises can access key learning sessions on impact investment led by investment experts on to enhance their fundraising journey.
One-on-One Fundraising Support: Enterprises will be connected to the Impact Pioneers Network to access continued support on identifying the appropriate investors, support through investor due diligence, and deal closure.
Program Timeline
Phase 1: Climate Gateway
January to March 2025
Phase 2: Climate Runway
April to September 2025
Phase 3: Climate Accelerate
October 2025-September 2026
Nexus for Equity
Accelerating innovative enterprises building solutions at the nexus of climate, gender, and health
About Us
ABOUT 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 5 years, Villgro Philippines has supported more than 120 enterprises across climate, health, education, agriculture, affordable housing, and women and girls 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 and USAID, 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 by the UN Women Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. Villgro Philippines is certified under the GLIA standards by ygap and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
ABOUT THE RESILIENT FUTURES FUND
The Resilient Futures Fund (RFF) is a new initiative that aims to strengthen resilience and increase opportunities for climate solutions led by, involving, or benefiting women and girls. By providing catalytic capital and targeted support, the RFF empowers those on the front lines of climate change, who are uniquely equipped to innovate and deliver lasting impact.
The Fund is managed by 2X Global and supported by Amazon, Reckitt, Skoll Foundation, UPS Foundation, and Visa Foundation.
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