What is AB InBev’s 100+ Accelerator Programme?
The 100+ Accelerator strategy was initially launched by AB InBev in 2018 as the company looked to achieve its sustainability goals faster. The strategy was to find startups who could explore sustainability advancements across key areas of their supply chain and procurement ecosystem. These could include water stewardship, smart agriculture, circular packaging, climate action and upcycling and the best practice could be scaled to other parts of their global network of influence. During the first two cohorts of partners, more than half of the startups secured long term contracts with the company.
Expansion of 100+ Accelerator strategy
There was a significant expansion of the project in 2021, with The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company and Unilver joining the strategy to help finance and trial sustainable innovations in supply chains and procurement ecosystems .
By funding up to $100K USD per startup pilot, the strategy helps to test and validate the selected solutions to then scale and transform their global supply chains. The 100+ Accelerator has already accelerated 116 companies in more than 30 countries.
By combining their efforts, the partners can develop and scale new solutions, and can assist with mentoring, funding and opportunities to pilot ideas within the value chains of each company.
“The 100+ Accelerator was created to harness the power of innovation and entrepreneurship with the size and scale of AB InBev to transform global supply chains and help to solve today’s complex sustainability challenges,” said Maisie Devine, Executive Director of Sustainable Innovation at AB InBev.
“But it was clear from the start that we couldn’t achieve that dream alone and collective action was key. Today, our partners operate in almost every country in the world and their products can be found in almost every household. Together we are leading the shift toward sustainable solutions for doing business.”
100+ Europe Labs programme
AB InBev has also launched 100+ Europe Labs with partners like Siemens, Bain & Company, Colruyt Group and Ball Corporation. This strategy is designed to help the company and its partners to work with innovative companies across the European to develop solutions tailored for key European challenges.
“No one company or organisation can solve today’s sustainability challenges alone. Collaborative partnerships allow us to really harness the scale, speed and transformation necessary to propel sustainable innovation and we’re excited that this year we can introduce a European-focused program with our partners’ support,” said Anna Voronkova, Entrepreneurship lead Europe, AB InBev.
“Since its inception, the 100+ Accelerator has driven some incredible projects globally across a diverse range of sustainability challenges – from water sanitation to reducing microplastics. With the creation of 100+ Europe Labs, we are eager to work hand in hand with the global accelerator to build on our momentum and partner with more companies to increase the impact of our program. These entrepreneurs are going to change the world and help build our sustainable future.”
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