Venture capital firm 500 Global has launched the Sustainable Innovation Programme, aimed at supporting mission-driven founders developing commercially viable solutions to sustainability challenges in the global south. The initiative will focus on sectors including agriculture, energy, mobility and the built environment, and will combine strategic capital, partnerships, and technical expertise to help scale ventures delivering both market returns and measurable social impact.
The Shell Foundation is a catalytic partner in the programme, with co-funding from the UK government under its Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform and Catalysing Agriculture by Scaling Energy Ecosystems (CASEE) programme. This is the first partnership under these initiatives centred on investing in human capital.
“Through our Sustainable Innovation Programme we are supporting commercially viable solutions to critical challenges. We are backing founders who are building businesses that strengthen their communities and scale real impact,” said Dr Alaa Murabit, Managing Partner, Sustainable Growth at 500 Global. “Our goal is to support these founders, and our partners, in our shared ambition to create, solve, scale, and sustain inclusive, regenerative societies.”
The programme will begin with the Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi, an eight-week scheme for seed-stage startups across Africa. Selected companies will receive mentorship and access to 500 Global’s network of partners, investors and operators.
500 Global has invested in more than 140 companies advancing sustainability goals across 27 countries, with a history of building localised infrastructure to address regional challenges and scale solutions globally.
Jonathan Berman, CEO of the Shell Foundation, said: “Partnering with proven investors like 500 Global is a critical element in Shell Foundation’s vision of scaling clean solutions to reach millions of customers in emerging economies. Supporting and scaling technologies that are commercial and sustainable will increase incomes while lowering emissions for millions of under-served customers.”
