Are you leading a social impact venture that already works and could scale to reach millions of people? Applications are open for the 2027/28 cohort of the 100x Impact Accelerator, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Selected ventures receive £150,000 in catalytic funding and a long-term partnership to help them scale.
The deadline is 2 November 2026. Ventures can be registered or operating anywhere in the world, and 100x aims for 70% of its portfolio to come from emerging markets.
About the 100x Impact Accelerator
100x is looking for “future social unicorns”: organisations that could improve the lives of hundreds of millions, or even billions, of people. It supports impact-first ventures with proven solutions, combining funding with strategic support, LSE’s research expertise and a global network of funders, advisers and peers.
Each cohort has two programmes, and each programme takes up to eight social ventures.
What Selected Ventures Receive
- £150,000 in catalytic funding to strengthen your pathway to scale
- A long-term partnership, starting with a tailored 16-week programme to sharpen your funding and impact measurement strategy and strengthen your leadership
- Connections to advisers, funders, partners and peers
- Possible follow-on funding for selected ventures, depending on fit and available funding
- Free participation. 100x covers the costs for up to two team members to attend in person at LSE.
Programme format: hybrid, over 16 weeks. Two leaders, including at least one founder or C-suite member, must attend two sponsored trips to London (3–5 days each), at the start and end of the programme.
Impact Areas
Your venture must work in at least one of 100x’s eight impact areas:
- Climate and Environment
- Health and Social Care
- Education
- Equitable Economies
- Happiness and Wellbeing
- Refugees and Cohesion
- Democracy
- New Frontiers (emerging science and technology)
Who Can Apply?
To be considered, your venture must meet all of these criteria:
- Impact-first: explicitly focused on social or environmental impact. Both for-profits and non-profits can apply.
- Impact area: working in at least one of the eight areas above
- Proven solution: a model beyond the idea stage, with clear evidence of positive impact
- Location: registered and/or operating anywhere in the world
- Ambition for scale: a clear vision for reaching hundreds of millions of lives, ideally with a credible route to systems-level change
- Reach to date: at least 10,000 end-users (B2C), or at least 100,000 people impacted indirectly through B2B or B2G channels
- Team: at least 4 full-time paid employees
100x especially values applications where founders or senior team members are based in the region where the organisation operates.
Selection Criteria
- Problem: a clearly defined, evidenced problem and a large impact opportunity
- Proposition: a distinctive model that beats alternatives on cost, quality, accessibility or reach
- Performance: a strong track record of adoption, validated outcomes and growth
- People: resilient, ambitious leaders and capable teams
- Pathways: a credible route to mass adoption
- 100x additionality: 100x’s support can make a meaningful difference at your current stage
Application Process and Timeline
- Online application: open until 2 November 2026. Up to 50 teams move to the next stage, and applicants who do not progress hear back in December 2026.
- Initial interview: a short (about 20-minute) online conversation with founders or senior leaders.
- Detailed due diligence: 2–3 hours of in-depth online conversations, plus follow-up information.
- Cohort selection: an independent committee makes the final decision, communicated in July 2027.
How to Apply
Check your eligibility and apply through the official 100x Impact How to Apply page, which links to the eligibility and application form. 100x encourages ventures to apply as early as possible.
More Funding for Startups and Social Ventures
- Y Combinator Winter 2027: Get US$500,000 for Your Startup (closes 2 November 2026)
- UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Get Up to $100,000 Equity-Free for Your Startup (closes 4 November 2026)
- Digital Africa Seed Fund 2026: Up to €2 Million for African Tech Startups
Frequently Asked Questions
Can African and Nigerian ventures apply to 100x Impact?
Yes. Ventures can be registered or operating anywhere in the world, and 100x aims for 70% of its portfolio to come from emerging markets.
Can early-stage startups apply?
No. 100x is for proven ventures with evidence of impact, at least 4 full-time paid staff, and at least 10,000 end-users (or 100,000 people reached indirectly).
Does the programme cost anything?
No. It is free, and 100x covers in-person costs for up to two team members.
When is the deadline?
Applications for the 2027/28 cohort close on 2 November 2026.
