Sage and Village Capital Unveil 56 Start-Ups for the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Programme

Sage, a global leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), alongside its strategic partner Village Capital, has announced the inaugural cohort for the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Programme. Fifty-six dynamic start-ups spanning France, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and the USA have been selected to receive mentorship, funding, training, and product support—all designed to accelerate their growth and amplify their impact.

Launched in November 2024, the programme is powered by Sage Foundation, the company’s social impact division. It is committed to uplifting underrepresented businesses and tackling the world’s most urgent challenges. The initiative drew over 200 applications, with founders pioneering solutions at the crossroads of sustainability and social impact—from community-driven carbon markets to clean agritech, disaster prevention, and energy conservation.

Each start-up was rigorously evaluated based on mission clarity, business model viability, and tangible impact potential. The cohort includes groundbreaking ventures such as:

• Carbix Corporation (USA): Innovating within the construction industry by converting carbon emissions into raw concrete materials, cutting pollution at its source.

• Omma (UK): Revolutionizing pest management with on-farm insect rearing systems, reducing dependency on chemical pesticides.

• Insail (Spain): Designing wind-powered solutions for maritime transport, aiming to decarbonize shipping and protect marine ecosystems.

• Turnee (France): Combatting e-commerce waste by redirecting returned products directly to new buyers, minimizing the carbon footprint of online shopping.

A distinguished panel of 19 experts meticulously selected these 56 start-ups, with seven members hailing from Sage’s leadership team, while the remaining external judges comprised climate-focused venture capitalists, corporate leaders, and racial equity advocates.

The United States led the pack among the participating countries, securing 28 spots in the cohort. The UK followed with 21, while Spain (3), Portugal (2), and France (2) rounded out the list.

The programme categorizes its start-ups into two distinct tracks:

1. Core Cohort: Receives customized mentorship, direct funding, and product access tailored to accelerate their growth.

2. Community Cohort: Gains access to Village Capital’s investment-readiness resources and educational tools, equipping them with the skills to scale effectively.

   
   

But the support doesn’t stop there. Each start-up will continue to receive guidance for up to two years after the programme ends, ensuring they have the resources to maximize their long-term impact.

With its first cohort now in motion, the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Programme is a catalyst for innovation, sustainability, and economic empowerment—driving change where needed most.

Elinor Wakefield, CEO and co-founder of Climate-i, said: “Climate-i is delighted to have been selected for the programme and to have access to Village Capital and Sage's expertise and network. We grew out of an accelerator in 2023 and know how motivating it is to be part of a well-supported, impact-focused cohort. We'll be using this to develop and commercialise our technology to capture leaks of SF6, the world's most potent greenhouse gas, from the electricity grid.”

Helen Devanny, Vice President of Sage Foundation, said: “We are so impressed by the calibre of the companies and entrepreneurs that applied and are proud to be kicking off this programme with these 56 start-ups. The scale of the problems they’ve chosen to solve is immense, but that is what makes their work even more meaningful and urgent. We’re proud to be putting our technology, skills, and resources behind these purpose-driven leaders in service of a more sustainable and equitable tomorrow.”

Allie Burns, CEO of Village Capital, said: “Early-stage founders are at the forefront of tackling urgent social and environmental challenges, bringing bold ideas and innovative business models to drive meaningful change. The 56 start-ups in this first Sage Impact Entrepreneurship cohort are not only building solutions for a more sustainable future but also reshaping industries – from clean energy and circular economy innovations to sustainable infrastructure and data and climate modelling tools. We’re excited to support these entrepreneurs, learn from their journeys, and help them scale their impact.”