Social enterprises and impact-driven organisations worldwide can apply for the 2027/28 100x Impact Accelerator Programme, which offers selected ventures £150,000 in catalytic funding and tailored support to expand proven solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Based at the London School of Economics (LSE), 100x Impact supports organisations seeking to reach more people and deliver lasting change. The programme combines a 16-week accelerator with a longer-term partnership designed to help ventures develop effective strategies for scaling their impact.

Applications are open to eligible for-profit and nonprofit organisations worldwide, including ventures in Africa. The application deadline is November 2, 2026.

Eligibility and programme focus

The accelerator targets organisations that have tested their solutions, demonstrated positive outcomes and developed credible plans to extend their reach. Applicants must show that their work addresses a clearly defined problem and has the potential to influence how that challenge is tackled beyond their immediate beneficiaries.

Key eligibility considerations include evidence of the problem and the communities affected, a tested solution with measurable results, a capable leadership team, a record of implementation and a practical strategy for reaching more people.

Applicants should also demonstrate the potential for system-level change and explain the challenges they may face as they scale.

The programme welcomes ventures operating across different countries and impact sectors. It aims to source 70% of its portfolio from emerging markets and values applications from organisations whose founders or senior team members are based in the regions where they operate.

Six eligible impact areas

The 100x Impact Accelerator supports ventures working across six principal areas of social and environmental change:

• Health and social care: Improving healthcare access, health outcomes, wellness and social services.
• Education: Expanding educational opportunities, improving learning outcomes and supporting skills development.
• Climate and environment: Addressing environmental challenges, improving resource efficiency and advancing sustainability.
• Equitable economies: Expanding economic opportunities and developing fairer, more inclusive economic systems.
• Happiness and wellbeing: Supporting mental health, community services and individual and collective wellbeing.
• Refugees and social cohesion: Supporting displaced people, refugee integration, social inclusion and the wellbeing of host communities.

Applicants must explain how their solutions address specific problems within their chosen impact areas and provide evidence of their potential to reach more people.

Funding and support for selected ventures

Each selected organisation will receive £150,000 in catalytic funding to strengthen its ability to scale and encourage wider adoption of its proven solution.

Participants will also undertake a tailored 16-week accelerator focused on identifying effective growth strategies, improving impact measurement and strengthening leadership capacity.

Through the programme, ventures can access strategic guidance and draw on research expertise from the London School of Economics to assess their models and identify opportunities to expand their impact.

The accelerator also connects participants with funders, advisers, partners and peer organisations. These relationships can help ventures explore collaborations and develop alternative routes to scale.

Additional follow-on funding may be available to selected organisations, depending on their suitability and the availability of funds. Such funding is not guaranteed.

Selection process and assessment criteria

The selection process evaluates both the leadership team and the strength of each venture’s model. Key considerations include the problem being addressed, the distinctiveness of the solution, evidence of results, the team’s capabilities and the credibility of its scaling strategy.

The assessors will also consider whether 100x Impact can make a meaningful contribution to an organisation’s progress at its current stage.

Following the initial application review, up to 50 teams may be invited to the next stage. Shortlisted applicants can expect an initial online interview, with more detailed due diligence for those who progress further. An independent selection committee will make the final decisions.

Application timeline

Applications opened on September 29, 2026, and will close on November 2, 2026. The remaining stages are expected to follow this schedule:

• Initial application review: Following submission.
• Initial online interviews: For selected applicants.
• Due diligence: January to April 2027.
• Final cohort decisions: July 2027.
• Expected programme start: September 2027.

With an application window of approximately five weeks, eligible organisations should prepare their submissions before the deadline.

How to apply

Interested social enterprises and impact-driven organisations can apply through the official 100x Impact Accelerator application portal.

Applicants should be ready to explain the problem their organisation addresses, how its solution works, the evidence supporting its results, the communities it serves and its plans for scaling its impact.

The programme is open to eligible for-profit and nonprofit ventures worldwide, with priority placed on demonstrated effectiveness and credible potential for broader impact.

Application deadline: November 2, 2026.

For eligibility requirements and application details, visit the official 100x Impact website.

Source: Impact Accelerator