**Benefits for Startups**

**Core Cohort - Advisory Support**
Startups in the Core Cohort will be invited to participate in mock board meetings with representatives from relevant institutions, corporations, and investors who can help scale their solutions and businesses.

**Core Cohort - Continued Learning**
Startups will engage in four interactive workshops designed to help identify early milestones and prepare for the next round of capital, if applicable.

**Core Cohort - Financial Guidance**
Access to one-on-one coaching with an investment analyst to build a financial model, understand unit economics, and use financial metrics to drive business and investor diligence.

**Core Cohort - Funding**
The top two startups, as selected by their peers, will each receive USD 50K in grant funding, while the next two highest-ranked startups will receive USD 25K each. The remaining Core Cohort startups will be awarded USD 10K in grant funding for milestone support.

**Core Cohort - Mentorship**
Startups will have the opportunity to meet with and receive mentorship from potential strategic partners, customers, other founders, and experts in the climate and sustainability fields.

**Core Cohort - Networking**
Startups can network and receive mentorship from prominent investors and business leaders in the industry.

**Core Cohort - Travel Stipend**
Startups will be provided a stipend to cover travel expenses for one team member to attend the Program Summit in Atlanta, GA, US.

**Core Cohort - Sage Product Support**
Startups will have access to Sage's products and support to help scale their solutions.

**Both Cohorts - Community Support**
Both the Core and Community Cohorts will join a supportive community with a range of investment-readiness resources, including a curated digital platform, asynchronous tools, and visibility through Village Capital’s website and social media channels.

**Both Cohorts - Exposure**
Startups in both cohorts will benefit from exposure on Village Capital’s program website and other communications platforms.

**Both Cohorts - Post-Program Support**
All participating startups will receive two years of post-program support to strengthen their impact and scale their solutions.

To be eligible, startups must meet the following criteria:

- Be legally incorporated as a for-profit entity, including B Corp-certified companies.
- Have their headquarters or operations based in France, Southern Europe, or the UK.
- Offer market-based solutions that address one or more of the following areas:

- Clean Energy Transition
- Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions
- Smart Mobility and Sustainable Infrastructure
- Sustainable Supply Chain and Manufacturing
- Circular Resource Solutions
- Climate-Resilient Health and Wellness
- Disaster-Resilient Housing and Community Planning
- Climate Finance and Insurance Innovation
- Environmental Justice and Social Equity
- Data Analytics and Climate Intelligence

- Possess a minimum viable product (MVP) and have raised less than USD 1.5M in equity.
- Have at least one full-time founder based in Southern Europe or the UK.
- Demonstrate meaningful customer or business validation, such as revenue, successful pilot projects, user numbers, or strategic partnerships.

UK, France, and/or Southern Europe