FAQ | SDGs Unicorn Accelerator (SUA)

1. What is SUA?

SDGs Unicorn Accelerator (SUA) is China’s first accelerator dedicated to scaling solutions for sustainable development, launched by China Alliance of Social Value Investment (CASVI). In its third year, SUA has empowered 172 start-ups and accelerated 24 social start-ups. We look for early stage (pre-A/A round) entrepreneurs with business solutions for sustainable development. SUA supports them to scale their innovative social and environmental solutions.

2. Who are the   #SUA2020Cohort?

This year, we received over 200 applications between May and August, and 24 of them stood out to become the SUA 2020 Cohort.

China Alliance of Social Value Investment (Shenzhen) is the first non-profit platform that is dedicated to driving sustainable development finance in China. It aims to direct capital towards sustainable development and increase capital alignment towards doing well and doing good, for a society to pursue comprehensive social, environmental and economic value.

4. What is Sustainable Development Value?

Innovation and entrepreneurship, with a focus on sustainable development, tends to operate in areas that have inelastic demand, with high value and large potential customer base. SUA identifies these as indicators for long term value, which is sustainable development value in the long run. We tend to find new economy companies (AI, Big Data, Blockchain) in sectors.

5. How does SUA incubate Sustainable Development Value?

Currently, there is a lack of effective solutions and well-rounded systems to support value incubation and commercialization. The mainstream market employs a single-dimensional understanding of "value", only focuses on building commercial capabilities. Start-ups can only find commercial or industry-themed incubation, which is inadequate to provide in-depth and long-term support through the entire ecosystem.

SUA achieves this by providing tech-enabled product design, blended finance matchmakingand cross-sector resources integration for impact.

From our 2018 and 2019 cohorts, SUA has empowered 172 sustainable development start-ups and accelerated a total of 22 start-ups,   2 of which moved on to receive further funding.

SUA Cohorts have gained 50+ news coverage (domestic and international media) and was present on NY Times Square Advertising.

We have 5 SUA cohort members as Forbes 30U30 China and achieved 2.37 million media outreach.

7. Who can join SUA?

• a start-up dedicated to solving social environmental problems, creating social value, and achieving sustainable development;

• an innovative enterprise that is applying new technologies, new methods, and new thinking to discover and solve issues and needs;

• a business that aligns with the SDGs, especially with a focus on inclusive services, green environment or smart future);

• with existing product prototypes and business models verified in the market.

  
  

• must register in China with the qualification of an independent legal person.

• is not engaged in prohibited or restricted sectors.

• should be law-abiding and its executives have not been punished by the regulators because of violations of laws and regulations.

• imposes no negative impact on the society and environment when undertaking business activities.

8. How can I apply to become part of the SDGs Unicorn Accelerator?

The open call for SUA 2020 Cohort has ended. This year, we have 24 social start-ups joining us to embark on a year-long journey of growth and collaboration. Look out for their individual start-up highlights, and witness their growth on our LinkedIn and Twitter! #SUA2020Cohort

9. What criteria do you use to select the start-ups?

• The market for the program and its prospects

• Overall qualities of the founder and the team members

• How effective and innovative when the start-up deals with social problems in commercial ways and how much the program is aligned with SDGs

10. What is this year's SDGs Demo Day like?

On this year's SDGs Demo Day to be held on September 19, we will have 8 SDGs Start-ups

Each start-up will be endorsed by a Referrer (5 min) + Pitching (15 min). Industry experts with in-depth knowledge in related industries will be selected to be Referrers.   

11. What is the schedule of this accelerator?

12. Where can I find more information?

We will be sharing information regarding the programme, relevant learnings and inspirational cases from the participating companies on our Website, LinkedIn, and Twitter.