Village Capital, with the support of International Finance Corporation (IFC) today announced the 21 early-stage startups that were selected to take part in Sustainability MENA 2021, an investment-readiness program for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Turkey-based startups that are tackling the region’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

A total of 21 companies were selected to participate in the program as part of two cohorts in June through August 2021. The top two peer-selected companies in each cohort will receive $20,000 in funding from IFC to help scale their businesses.

“Over the past decade, MENA’s rapid development and increasing population have led to an increased consumption of fossil fuels, water, and other non-renewable natural resources, taking a toll on both the environment and local communities.” said Alicia Sornson, Village Capital’s Program & Partnerships Manager for the Middle East and North Africa. “Village Capital is excited to support these 21 startups that are either improving the resilience of the planet or the health and wellness of underserved communities in the region.”

Each startup selected for the accelerator will have the opportunity to work closely with industry experts, investors, and ecosystem partners to develop the networks they need to scale their impact.

All startups in the program will be invited to join Abaca, Village Capital’s global online network that helps entrepreneurs analyze and structure their businesses for investment. The network also matches them with the right investors and resources.