Launching our third accelerator programme in Mexico

Together with IKEA Mexico, we are excited to welcome a new cohort of 10 social enterprises: Bioforestal Innovación Sustentable, Desplastifícate, Endémika, Fructus VíaPerfekto, Pellet México, Postales de Café, Pura, sommos and Tamoa. 

Each of the enterprises look to improve the quality of life of the largest number of people through the following sectors: circular solutions, climate mitigation, sustainable agriculture, sustainable food alternatives, workforce development, fair trade and crafts. 

Now in its third edition, the programme supports social enterprises in creating livelihood opportunities and providing access to affordable goods and services to Mexico's vulnerable and marginalized communities. 

Creating a better everyday life for vulnerable and marginalised groups 

Despite constant economic growth, Mexico remains one of the most unequal countries in the world with important social and environmental issues such as poverty, unemployment, biodiversity loss, waste management, poor transportation infrastructure, few job opportunities and unequal access to water. The Mexican startup ecosystem is growing at a fast rate however the current technical and financial support for social enterprises has still a long way to go. 

“Over the last two years, MAP has supported 20 social enterprises that create livelihood opportunities and access to affordable goods and services for Mexico's marginalised communities and solve some of Mexico's most pressing environmental challenges. We hope that we can consolidate these alliances in the future to build more sustainable business relationships for our supply chain,” says Lars Thorsen CEO of IKANO Group. 

Armando Laborde, partner of New Ventures, expressed his enthusiasm with the continued partnership: “IKEA's relationship with New Ventures is renewed for another two years, with which we’ll be able to continue strengthening entrepreneurs with social impact for 2023 and 2024. For New Ventures it is a pleasure to renew this collaboration with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, an ally with whom we will not only support entrepreneurs with a strengthening program, but with the creation of a loan fund and with greater efforts to link entrepreneurs with the corporate sector.” 

Personalised and continued support  

The one-year accelerator programme offers strategic support, training, and specialised mentoring to prepare the selected enterprises for corporate business partnerships. At the end of the program, the enterprises have the opportunity to pitch a specific pilot or innovation developed during the programme and receive a share of USD 60,000 grant funding to continue its development and implementation.  

“Social entrepreneurs who tackle societal challenges are change makers of a better future for people and the planet. We are excited to welcome another 10 social enterprises that will join our accelerator with New Ventures Mexico. In a world with great challenges, collaboration and learning together are key”, commented Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship B.V. 

“Selected from a successful open call, the cohort are all enterprises with innovative business models, positively impacting vulnerable communities and led by talented and committed teams, added Armando Laborde. “We are always excited and inspired to collaborate with teams/enterprises who contribute to addressing social problems in our country. To all of them, congratulations." 

Connecting to the broader ecosystem 

The opening event of the program will take place on February 27 in Mérida, Yucatán, one day before the start of the 2023 Latin American Impact Investment Forum. Better known as FLII, it is the largest impact ecosystem event in Latin America where investors, environmental and/or social ventures, corporates and relevant actors of the impact ecosystem meet and connect. Following the launch of the Mexico Accelerator Programme, the 10 selected enterprises will attend FLII, where they will have the opportunity to connect with strategic allies and collaborators to support their future growth.   

Read more about the social enterprises participating in the programme.