100x Impact Accelerator, a leading global impact accelerator based at the London School of Economics (LSE), has launched a call for applications to its second cohort. 100x aims to create the next generation of “social unicorns”– organisations working to achieve positive impact on the scale of billions.

“We are backing dynamic entrepreneurs with radical solutions, those that dare to be different in how they take on the world’s most pressing issues,” said Leslie Labruto, Director of 100x Impact Accelerator. “Rather than focusing on limitless financial growth, we want to support impact-driven organisations to achieve the right impact endgame – whether that’s government adoption, building an open-source model, or eradicating a social problem entirely.”

Selected ventures will receive £150,000 in capital and 12 weeks of programming on strategies for achieving scale, impact measurement, and fundraising. The programme includes one week of in-person sessions at LSE, 10 weeks of virtual workshops and expert advisory. The programme culminates in an annual Summit Day, where founders will showcase their solutions and successes to a network of philanthropists, investors, governments, and media. All expenses for ventures participating in the programme will be covered.

100x will support two cohorts of up to 10 social ventures every year, aiming for 70% of these to come from emerging markets. The Accelerator launched its first call for applications in January 2023, attracting over 1,300 applications from 96 countries. Selection for the first cohort is ongoing and successful ventures will be announced in June.

 Fan Gu, Head of Impact Investments at 100x Impact Accelerator, said: “We are thrilled by the response to our first call for applications – receiving applications from across the world and from diverse groups. We highly encourage those working with underserved communities and are operating in emerging markets to apply for our second cohort. We are dedicated to providing the right support to scale impact.”

Applications are welcome from eight impact areas which closely reflect LSE’s research priorities. These are climate change and the environment; democracy; education; equitable economies; happiness and wellbeing; health and social care; new frontiers; refugees and cohesion.

Leslie added: “We are looking for scale-up impact organisations that have a proven model so we can meet them where they are in their journey and partner together to address the issues that are likely to hinder them from reaching their full potential.”

Applications to the second cohort of 100x Impact Accelerator are open from 15 May 2023 via the 100x website. The closing date is 3 July 2023.

 After a thorough selection process, a cohort of up to 10 social ventures will be selected in November 2023. The accelerator programme for the second cohort will run from March to May 2024.

 Social ventures in emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa and those working in the areas of democracy, new frontiers and refugees and cohesion are especially encouraged to apply.

About 100x Impact Accelerator

100x [a hundred ex] is the world’s largest impact accelerator for social ventures, based at the London School of Economics (LSE). They aim to create cohorts of social unicorns – organisations affecting positive change on the scale of billions. In addition to £150,000 of capital, 100x provides access to a network of global change-makers, a 12-week programme, and convenes an annual Summit Day to showcase the impact of social ventures.