Access to water, energy and housing is a human right; entrepreneurs can help
We’re recruiting: ShelterTech Mexico 2017
Access to water, energy and housing is not only a universal human right; these are also basic needs that need to be met for nations to progress and develop.
In many parts of Mexico — particularly the southern half — these needs are not being met. With nearly 65 million Mexicans living on less than $615 dollars a month, many families suffer from unsafe housing, limited access to water, and lack of access to energy. Despite progress over the past two decades, there remains an enormous market potential — and a deep need — for cheaper, smarter and more accessible utility and housing solutions in Mexico.
This Spring, Village Capital is partnering with Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter to find, train and support the most promising entrepreneurs addressing challenges in housing, water and sustainable energy for marginalized Mexican populations. The investment readiness program ShelterTech 2017 will support 12 high-potential entrepreneurs who are increasing access to basic utilities and safe housing to people across Mexico.
The selected startups will work closely with peers addressing similar utility and housing access issues, participate in curated sessions with sector experts, and receive valuable investor feedback over the course of the three month program. The program focuses on strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem supporting Energy and Water entrepreneurs while exposing institutional partners to some of the most exciting and innovative ideas across Mexico.
This partnership is the first of its kind. As an organization committed to finding, training and investing in top entrepreneurs across the world, Village Capital is proud to work with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat was founded in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia, and has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 1,400 communities throughout the U.S. and in nearly 70 countries. Habitat for Humanity began working on market-based solutions for affordable housing over the last decade and launched the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter in 2016 to build on those successes for greater scale and impact.
Applications for the Village Capital and Habitat for Humanity’s business development program are now open — apply here before March 3rd.
Village Capital finds, trains and invests in entrepreneurs solving real-world problems. Learn more on our website, and read our insights on Medium.
