Do you run a social or environmental venture with proven impact and a plan to reach hundreds of millions of people? The 100x Impact Accelerator 2027/2028, based at the London School of Economics (LSE), gives selected ventures £150,000 in catalytic funding and a long-term partnership to help them scale. It’s open to ventures anywhere in the world, and 100x aims for 70% of its portfolio to come from emerging markets, which is great news for African founders.
Applications close on 2 November 2026, so apply now.
At a Glance
| Organiser | 100x Impact Accelerator, at LSE |
| Funding | £150,000, plus possible follow-on funding |
| Programme | 16 weeks within a long-term partnership, starting with a week in person at LSE |
| Who can apply | Non-profit or for-profit social ventures registered or operating anywhere |
| Focus | 70% of the portfolio from emerging markets |
| Deadline | 2 November 2026 |
Benefits
- £150,000 in catalytic funding to strengthen your path to scale
- A tailored 16-week programme to sharpen your funding and impact-measurement strategy, build your leadership and support your growth
- Access to LSE research expertise
- Connections to a global network of funders, advisers and peers
- Travel covered for up to two team members to attend the first week in person at LSE in London, and the pitch day at the end
- Possible follow-on funding, depending on fit and availability
Impact Areas
Your venture must work in at least one of these areas:
- Climate and Environment
- Democracy
- Happiness and Wellbeing
- Education
- Equitable Economies
- Health and Social Care
- New Frontiers
- Refugees and Cohesion
Eligibility
- Your venture is explicitly focused on social or environmental impact, as a non-profit or for-profit.
- It works in at least one of the eight impact areas.
- You have a proven model, beyond the idea stage, with clear evidence of positive impact.
- You’ve reached at least 10,000 end users (B2C), or indirectly impacted at least 100,000 people through B2B or B2G channels.
- You have 4 or more full-time paid staff.
- You have a credible vision to reach hundreds of millions of lives and change whole systems or markets, for example through replication, open infrastructure, market transformation or integration into public or private services.
- You can be registered or operating anywhere in the world. 100x especially values founders and senior team members based in the region where they work.
Selection Process and Timeline
- Online application. Up to 50 teams move forward.
- First interview: about 20 minutes online with founders or senior leaders.
- Due diligence from January to April 2027: 2–3 hours of conversations plus follow-up documents.
- Selection by an independent committee. Decisions are shared in July 2027.
- Onboarding of the selected ventures.
Unsuccessful applicants are told in December 2026. Ventures are assessed on problem, proposition, performance, people and pathways to scale.
How to Apply
- Check that you meet every criterion, especially the reach thresholds and team size.
- Complete the eligibility check and application on 100x’s Typeform (link below).
- Submit before 2 November 2026.
Official 100x Impact Accelerator: How to Apply · Application form
Questions: [email protected]
Tips for African Ventures
- Lead with numbers. Give the users reached, measurable outcomes and cost per impact.
- Show a credible scale path, such as government adoption, telco or fintech partnerships, or replication across African countries.
- Highlight local leadership. 100x values founders based in the communities they serve.
- Apply early. The window is short and closes on 2 November.
