Announcing the newest winners of our Strive Community Innovation Fund: Part one

This is the first blog of two highlighting the winners of our innovation fund. This first blog introduces the global winners, while the second blog shares the Strive USA winners.

Today, we are delighted to introduce the winners of our second Innovation Fund! This round awarded $1 million to seven enterprises testing digital and data-first solutions around the globe that support the growth of small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Building on the success of our inaugural fund in 2022, this second cohort will support innovative solutions focused on two key themes:

• Data for Market Access: Digital-first solutions that leverage the increasing amount of available data to enable small businesses to more effectively engage in online marketplaces, reach more customers, and increase revenues.
• Environmental Sustainability: Digital-first solutions that support the growth and financial resilience of small businesses while making a positive environmental impact.

We had incredible global interest in this round, with almost 500 organizations submitting applications for solutions targeting micro- and small businesses. The seven winners will now implement their projects over the next 12 to 18 months. Four of these winners prioritize data for market access, and three focus on environmental sustainability.

Meet our winners: Data for Market Access

Africa 118, Ethiopia

Africa 118 is on a mission to help African micro- and small enterprises get discovered by increasing their visibility across digital platforms. This project will improve and expand Africa 118’s existing offering through greater social media integration and launching a bundled offer with a mobile operator as they seek to launch the most comprehensive MSME Market Intelligence Database in the region. Learn more.

Datasketch, Colombia

Datasketch is on a mission to democratize data science for smaller organizations, particularly those in emerging markets who can’t afford existing data and dashboarding solutions. This project will adapt Datasketch’s digital tools and chatbot solution to increase its relevance to small businesses by enabling interoperability with popular small business digital tools to provide actionable insights. Learn more.

SkyEye, Samoa

SkyEye is a geospatial and software solutions provider offering a wide range of services, including Maua, an e-commerce marketplace platform. This project will enable Maua to efficiently onboard more small businesses and provide them with data-enabled intelligence to optimize their reach and sales across Samoa. Learn more.

SoBanHang, Vietnam

SoBanHang is a business management app that empowers nano and micro businesses to boost digital sales, manage business operations efficiently, and access inclusive financial services. Through this project, SoBanHang will provide micro-retailers instant access to relevant market data and business-to-business e-commerce services to source in-demand products through its Intelligent Procurement Solution. Learn more.

Meet our winners: Environmental Sustainability

Alner, Indonesia

Alner employs a reusable and returnable packaging system in Indonesia, replacing single-use, non-recyclable packaging for daily essentials such as detergent, rice, cooking oil, and more. This project will enable Alner to deploy a deposit and reward system at warungs (small retail stores) to substitute non-recyclable, single-use packaging with multi-use containers, tackling plastic waste at the source. They will also be adding gamified elements to their mobile app for small businesses. Learn more.

Tern Eco, United Kingdom

Tern Eco is on a mission to help retailers of any size build brand-owned circular models that meet business objectives and sustainability goals — reducing waste whilst driving customer value and unlocking revenue opportunities. Through this project, Tern will develop a solution that fully closes the loop for small retailers through multiple circular models (remake, repair, resale), leveraging data to support the development of these programs. Learn more.

Vested Impact, Global

Vested Impact leverages AI and 300 million science-based and impact data points to automatically assess and quantify the impact of companies and investments, empowering them to make impactful changes. Through this project, Vested Impact will develop and launch a small business portal for automated impact assessments focused on EMEA and Latin America. The portal will summarize complex impact data and a shareable sustainability reporting link to allow small businesses to provide evidence and communicate sustainable business practices. Learn more.

We are delighted to support these innovative projects and work alongside such inspiring entrepreneurs! We look forward to the insights and lessons they’ll share as they work to deliver small business growth and environmental benefits with digital and data-first solutions!

If you’re an organization supporting small business growth with digital and data-first solutions, stay up to date with our funding and partnership opportunities by visiting our website and connecting with us on LinkedIn.