SDG Impact Accelerator, a public-private partnership to accelerate startups that work towards SDG-relevant solutions, has held its Demo Day in Istanbul on September 13, 2019. Initiated by UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, SDG Impact Accelerator has Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WFP, Eczacıbaşı Holding and Limak Holding as its founding partners.
9 startups from Turkey, the Netherlands, USA, Jordan, Palestine, India, Kenya and Rwanda presented their products developed during the 3-month accelerator program to a select audience of international impact investors as well as potential private and public partners. The startups focused on solutions for refugee populations – 4 startups in livelihood opportunities and Digital ID area, and 5 startups in water and sanitation area.
Mustafa Osman Turan, Deputy Director General for Multilateral Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, stated: “Turkey hosts the largest refugee population globally. Our foreign policy reflects the enterprising spirit and humanitarian values of our nation. By bringing entrepreneurs from around the world that develop humanitarian solutions for refugees for an intense program to work with their users and partners in Turkey, SDG Impact Accelerator has set a global benchmark for concrete projects to progress towards achieving SDGs.”
Seher Arıner, UNDP Turkey Assistant Resident Representative (Programme) said: “As UNDP Turkey, we always focus on helping the most disadvantaged with the mission of leaving no one behind. We can achieve SDGs by 2030 only if we work together. Therefore, we think that this initiative bringing all of us together is very valuable on the way to achieving Global Goals. As UNDP, we are ready to continue giving all the support we can to the teams to make their impact greater. This is what we aim to achieve with the new vision of UNDP, which we call NextGenerationUNDP. Performing better, faster and creating impact at a larger scale, with innovative solutions to the biggest problems of our time.”
Gravity.Earth-Sertifier-Mark Labs consortium from the Digital ID challenge, and change:WATER LABS from the Non-sewage Portable Toilet and Sanitation Systems challenge attended the UN General Assembly in New York City to present to potential global customers and partners at a side event held on 23 September 2019.
To watch the full event held in New York on UN Web TV: bit.ly/2o10taL
For more details on the SDG Impact Accelerator Demo Day: bit.ly/sdgiademo
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