Second cohort of Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program includes U.S. startups tackling water access, climate pressure and community resilience.
As more early-stage founders look for practical support to scale solutions to urgent social and environmental challenges, Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), together with its partner Village Capital, announced the second cohort of startups joining the Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Program.
The announcement follows an 85% year-over-year increase in applications. The rise reflects growing demand from under-resourced entrepreneurs for the capital pathways, mentoring, business tools and networks needed to move promising ideas into long-term impact.
Powered by Sage Foundation, the company’s social impact arm, the program enters its second year with a global footprint, including the U.S. and Europe. The initiative is currently supporting 111 ventures internationally, moving steadily toward its ultimate goal of backing 165 high-impact startups. The initiative is designed to foster a community of visionary leaders who can drive systemic change through innovation and collaboration.
The U.S. received the highest number of applications this year, reflecting strong momentum among founders working on urgent environmental and social challenges. The selected U.S. cohort also points to an encouraging shift in who is building climate and impact-led businesses: 65% of participating startups are women-led. At a time when female founders remain historically underfunded, that figure underscores the importance of creating more accessible pathways for underrepresented entrepreneurs to gain visibility, support and momentum.
Among the selected startups are:
For founders like Shan Xue, Co-Founder & Principal Research Scientist at PureNanoTech, the value of the program comes at a pivotal moment.
“PureNanoTech is currently at a critical stage of growth as we prepare for our next round of fundraising,” said Xue. “Being part of the program provides valuable validation, mentorship, and strategic guidance at exactly the right moment for us. That kind of support is increasingly important for climate-focused startups navigating the leap from innovation to scale."
“Scaling climate technologies requires more than just strong science; it requires the right community, mentorship, and investor readiness,” said Joseph Mooney, CEO and Co-Founder at WattAir. “Being part of a program that focuses on supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs while helping them prepare for the next stage of growth is incredibly valuable as we move from pilots toward broader deployment.”
Helen Devanny, Vice President of Sage Foundation, said: “The growth in applications is a signal of the rising ambition of impact-driven founders and the urgency of the challenges they’re working to solve. We continue to be inspired by the quality of those applying and the ambition behind the solutions they’re building. Through our partnership with Village Capital, we’re proud to help these entrepreneurs scale solutions that drive meaningful change, multiplying Sage’s impact far beyond our own business.”
Kelly Bryan, Regional Director at Village Capital, said: “At Village Capital, we believe the future of impact lies in founders who are building practical, scalable solutions rooted in the realities their communities face every day. The 2026 Sage Impact Entrepreneurship cohorts reflect that belief—entrepreneurs who are not only addressing critical challenges for people and the planet, but doing so with models designed for long-term resilience and growth. Through this partnership, we’re strengthening the ecosystems around these founders by equipping them with the right networks, capital, and strategic support they need to transform their innovations and create measurable environmental impact.”
The program includes two cohorts:
All participating startups receive two years of post-program support to help strengthen their impact and scale over time.
To see the full list of U.S. startups that are part of the second Core and Community cohorts, please visit: vilcap.com/programs/sage-impact-entrepreneurship-united-states-2026
Applications for future cohorts will open later this year as Sage and Village Capital continue expanding support for mission-driven entrepreneurs globally.
Sage Foundation has been knocking down barriers in our communities since 2015. By mobilizing our colleagues, partners, and customers through impactful programs, Sage Foundation is helping underrepresented entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while equipping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow with the skills they need to succeed.
Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of Small and Mid-Sized Businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitizing business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our AI-powered platform connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis.
Village Capital is a global leader in impact investing, helping early-stage startups access the type of social and financial capital they need to grow – reshaping the supply and demand sides of capital flows as a result. Since 2009, Village Capital has directly supported more than 2,100 impact startups in 70 countries. Together, these founders have raised over $9.6B across economic mobility, environmental sustainability, and access to essential services. It has made 116 investments through its various affiliated funds, including Vilcap Investments, which has invested in 91 peer-selected companies. Additionally, 26,000 entrepreneurs have used its Abaca web app to take at least one assessment, helping them expand their access to financial capital. Learn more at www.vilcap.com.