INCUBATOR PROGRAM
View the information session recordings & slide deck to learn more.
Information Session 2
Information Session 1
PASSIONATE ABOUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL OR SOCIAL ISSUE?
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT USING YOUR BUSINESS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL OR SOCIAL PROBLEMS?
INTERESTED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT?
At the Global Green Growth Institute, we believe that green entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned as drivers of innovation, holding the keys to unlocking a transition to a green and sustainable future for our planet. Our program aims to catalyse your business to showcase Pacific solutions to Pacific problems on a national, regional and global scale.
If you are interested in developing and unleashing the potential of your green business or idea and securing a chance to win up to USD$5,000 in seed funding, then keep reading to learn how you can join the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator Program!
Our Commitment to Social Inclusion
Beyond our goals to strengthen the capacity and empower green entrepreneurs and their businesses, create opportunities for more sustainable, green jobs in the Pacific, and connect entrepreneurs to an ecosystem of business development support, we are equally committed to the prioritization of women entrepreneurs and green job creation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
What can Pacific Greenpreneurs expect?
Our Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program is a free, carefully curated training and mentoring program designed to support green entrepreneurs to build robust and sustainable business models, and the skills, tools, and confidence to implement them for success. The program will culminate in a business plan competition that will provide seed grant funds to winning enterprises.
Orientation – An initial Orientation session will be held in person for each country to introduce incubator participants to each other, set expectations and explain how to use the online training platform.
Kick-off Workshop - As Pacific Greenpreneurs, you will begin your journey with an intensive two-day in-person kick-off workshop (COVID-19 restrictions permitting) to focus on your business and meet like-minded green entrepreneurs and mentors from your country and the region to focus on your business model. Where an in-person workshop is not possible, you will join a virtual orientation and training sessions with other program participants from your country, while learning the program track, setting expectations, and meeting your mentor.
Virtual Training – The Kick-off workshop will be followed by weekly online training built around the lean start-up canvas through webinars and online assignments – each module dedicated to one step of building out your Sustainable Green Enterprise Plan.
Mentorship Program - Based on business needs and preferences, each Greenpreneur will be assigned a mentor who will act as a ‘sounding board’ and support to guide them through the process of building out their business models.
Group Coaching – Following each webinar, mandatory weekly group coaching sessions will be facilitated in each country to apply the module learnings to the local context, answer questions related to exercises, facilitate peer learning and more.
Individual Coaching – You will receive individualised coaching from your Country Facilitator who will provide support and feedback on tasks and help you to work through issues and answer questions about weekly modules.
Networking - During and beyond the program, Pacific Greenpreneurs will have on-going opportunities to engage with like-minded entrepreneurs and supporters of green enterprises in the Pacific region and beyond, providing opportunities for professional development, brandbuilding, and awareness, and more.
Business Plan Competition -The business plan competition involves participants putting together their business plans and pitches:
Business Pitch - A video pitch and accompanying pitch deck communicating the enterprise’s vision, unique value, planned impact and plans for the future
Sustainable Green Enterprise Plan - documenting the various aspects of an enterprise’s business plan holistically including a Social Lean Canvas business plan on a page; a financial model and impact model (Theory of Change).
The competition serves to demonstrate Greenpreneurs’ growth throughout the program and gives you the opportunity to compete for USD 5,000 in seed grant funding. Please note that to be eligible to participate in the Business Plan Competition, timely submission of weekly assignments, attendance of webinars and participation in coaching and mentoring sessions will be required.
Program Timeline (* dates and timelines may be subject to change)
The 2023 Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator Program is planned to run from May to August, with Graduation and Showcase events in September.
Who are we looking for?
You are part of a team or an individual entrepreneur with a green business idea or leading an early-stage green enterprise.
We strongly encourage teams (maximum 5 people) to apply.
We strongly encourage women, youth and persons with disabilities to apply.
You aim to create a positive environmental and/or social impact in your community or country through your product offerings, operations, or processes while creating a profit.
You are dedicated and eager to learn, and passionate about your cause.
You have a sound, technical understanding of your business or idea, but would like to learn more about how to build an effective and sustainable business model for success.
You are in your early stages: you will typically have already piloted or launched your business and can demonstrate early traction or proof of concept.
You have typically been in operation for less than two years and your sales revenue to date is less than USD 100,000.
Your business is innovative and unique in some way.
You want to learn, connect, and share with others: you are eager to network with like-minded green entrepreneurs from across the region.
You have sufficient access to the internet and a computer to enable participation in the online components of the program.
You are committed to completing a 4-month program of training, coaching, mentoring & networking from May-August 2023 culminating in a business plan competition.
You are comfortable with written & spoken English language.
Who can apply?
The following criteria must be met for applications to be assessed for the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program. Please ensure that you meet the criteria listed below before completing the application form:
The lead applicant must be a citizen of one of the following countries:
Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea Samoa, Tonga, or Vanuatu.
Proof of citizenship will be required.
The enterprise must operate or be intended to operate as a for-profit business in one of the countries listed above.
The enterprise or business idea must demonstrate a green focus.
The minimum age of the lead applicant is 18 years old.
The Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program is focused on supporting green enterprises to grow, generating positive environmental and social impact. Applicants for this program will be assessed against the following broad criteria as demonstrated through submitted applications. Please keep these criteria in mind as you complete your application.
The applications will first be screened against the Eligibility Criteria. Successful applications will then be scored and ranked according to the Assessment Criteria, from which the top enterprises will be selected.
For further details and information on the application process, please refer to the Application Guidelines and FAQs. A PDF copy of the full Application Form can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if I'm a green business/enterprise?
We define a green business as a purpose-driven enterprise seeking to address environmental and/or social issues through their business, while generating income. This means you have a deliberate intent to have a positive impact on people (communities) or the planet (environment) as part of your business.
2. What is an ‘early stage’ business?
We consider a business is in the early stage when it has a product or service in the market. This could be selling at a small scale (e.g., you could be selling to family or friends, on social media or at local flea markets). You do not have to be formally registered as a business to apply, and do not need to have business premises.
3. Do I have to pay for the program?
No. The Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program is a free, fully subsidised program tailored to the needs of early-stage enterprises in the Pacific region. The equivalent incubator program is valued at over USD2,000 (excluding seed grant funding) per enterprise.
Greenpreneurs are expected to cover incidental costs of participation such as internet data access, travel to training venue or meeting place for in-person training, workshops, mentoring sessions, graduation, and networking events. Greenpreneurs must have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet with internet connection for the duration of the program.
4. Does my business need to be registered to apply?
You do not need to have a registered business to apply for the program, but please note that business registration will be required to enter the business plan competition and compete for USD 5,000 in seed grant funding. If your business is not registered when you apply, you can obtain your registration during the program.
5. Can non-profit organisations apply?
Not unless your NGO has (or is establishing) a for-profit social enterprise. The focus of our program is on building business sustainability through promoting business acumen so that innovative green ideas can grow and take over their country and region. There is definitely an important role that NGOs and cooperatives play in addressing environmental issues, however this program focuses on building green jobs and green economic growth.
6. How will the online learning work?
Course material for each of the 12 modules will be available on an Online Training Portal. During the Orientation session, participants will be shown how to use the Online Training Portal. Each enterprise will be provided with access to the Online Portal, and will be expected to read the material and submit all exercises online each week.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own access to internet and computer/laptop/tablet to complete these requirements. Please note that as this is a regional program, all course material and exercise submissions are in English language.
7. How do I access the grant funding?
Seed grant funding of USD 5,000 will be awarded to up to 20 winners of the business plan competition held at the completion of the incubator program. 2023 Incubator graduates who meet the requirements will submit business plans and pitches to be scored independently by a panel of internal and external judges on the following (which will be covered in the training material):
· Business Pitch - A video pitch and accompanying pitch deck communicating the enterprise’s vision, unique value, planned impact and plans for the future.
· Sustainable Green Enterprise Plan - documenting the various aspects of an enterprise’s business plan holistically including a Social Lean Canvas business plan on a page; a financial model and impact model (Theory of Change)
Winners will be announced during the Graduation events to be held in September 2023.
8. Can I apply for the current incubator program AND the future accelerator program?
If you applied for the program in 2021 or 2022 but did not participate in the program, you are welcome to apply in 2023 if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Please note that enterprises that participated in the previous Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator cohorts are not eligible to reapply for the same business idea.
9. I applied for the 2021 Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program. Can I apply again?
GGGI is committed to ensuring that we keep your data secure. Applicant’s data will only be made available to a handful of individuals who are involved in the selection process, who will be bound by GGGI’s Rules on Protection of Personal Data and hence are not allowed to use any of the information provided for other purposes.
10. How will you ensure privacy of my data/ protection of my business idea?
All applications must be made online via the https://bit.ly/PacGreenIncuForm23 before the submission deadline. Please ensure that you meet all the Eligibility Criteria before applying. Please note that only fully completed applications with all required documents provided will be considered.