CARE & T-Hub Social Business Accelerator Program

Building capacity for communities through Innovative solutions

Program Introduction

For 75 years, CARE USA has led the way to a better life for the world’s most vulnerable people. CARE aims to save lives, defeat poverty, achieve social justice, and fight for women and girls. This year, CARE and its partners have worked together in 111 countries, reaching more than 174 million people through 1,600 products.

CARE & T-Hub Social Business Accelerator Program is a transformative initiative, empowering startups with the best business practices and essential tools to amplify their impact on a global scale. Through strategic guidance and tailored support, the program empowers startups to build robust Product-Market Fit and Go-To-Market models, ensuring their solutions are not only impactful but also scalable.

The program goes beyond acceleration, guiding startups in raising investments and establishing robust partnerships with research institutions, academia, and development agencies.

Objectives of the Engagement

By fostering collaboration between social enterprises and startups, the program is focused on nurturing, supporting and scaling businesses that will make a tangible impact on the society.

Supporting social entrepreneurs to refine ideas and develop sustainable business models
Incubating innovations to create a nurturing environment where innovative ideas can thrive
Driving social impact in healthcare, education, livelihood, and disaster relief efforts.

Focus Areas

Directing efforts towards solving some of the most pressing challenges in the society

Crisis

CARE works globally on shelter and sustenance of displaced populations, a number exceeding 70 million. Promoting solutions addressing the vulnerability of women and girls in crisis.

Food & Water Security

Revolutionising startups tackling critical challenges in sustainable agriculture, livelihood, and nutrition.

Health

Join CARE’s 2030 goal of empowering 50 million people with right to health and 30 million women with sexual and reproductive health rights.

Education & Economic Empowerment

Empowering startups bridging gaps sustainably in access to quality education in challenging contexts.

Climate Justice

Be part of CARE's mission in building resilience and securing sustainable livelihoods for a zero-carbon future.

Gender Equality

Advocating startups dismantling barriers to equal wages, food security, safety and health, and promoting equal opportunities.

Program Benefits

Mentorship

Impact-focused mentorship to overcome roadblocks & explore growth avenues.

Community

Receive valuable advice and support from a like-minded community of founders.

Workshops

Get hands-on exposure, learning, and growth with thought-out CARE workshops.

Scaling Opportunities

Opportunities to make a broader impact through CARE, reach new markets, and scale solutions.

Demo Day

Present your product to the CARE community to gain exposure and investment opportunities.

Who can Apply?

A Social impact startup working in sectors like Health, Education, Crisis, Climate, Equality, Food, and water
Your startup has some initial traction regarding pilots/users/paying customers.
Market ready & revenue generating startups
You are a company registered in India/ Africa/ South East Asia
You are a founder with prior experience in Corporates/Consulting/CSR/ NGO/ Sustainability/ Entrepreneurship
You have a clear vision for your business and knowledge of the sector you operate in

Proposed Accelerator Framework

1

Phase 1
Duration: 2-3 months

2

Phase 2
Duration: 9-12 months

3

Phase 3
Duration: 9-12 months

4

About CARE

CARE is a global leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. We are known everywhere for our unshakeable commitment to the dignity of people.

Our Mission

CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice.

Our Vision

We seek a world of hope, inclusion, and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and all people live with dignity and security.

Our Focus

We put women and girls in the center because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities.

Activation Partner: T-Hub

T-Hub (Technology Hub) is a premier innovation hub and ecosystem enabler based in Hyderabad, India. T-Hub leads India’s pioneering innovation ecosystem and strives to create an impact for startups, corporations, and other ecosystem stakeholders. Its mission is to enable and empower an ecosystem hungry for innovation.

Incorporated in 2015, T-Hub has provided 2000+ national and international startups access to superior technology, talent, mentors, customers, corporates, investors, government agencies, and other innovation ecosystem stakeholders.

T-Hub has elevated innovation for leading national and global corporations, transforming their business models for the better. Collaborating with innovation partners and enablers in Telangana, India and worldwide, T-Hub is building a future-ready innovation ecosystem.

FAQs

Q1: Who should apply for the CARE & T-Hub Social Business Accelerator Program?

The program is open to startups passionate about creating positive social impact in focus areas such as health, education, livelihood, disaster relief, crisis, food and water, equality, and climate. We encourage you to apply if your venture is driven by innovation, scalability, and a commitment to societal change.

Q2: What are the key benefits of participating in the program?

The program offers a comprehensive suite of benefits, including scaling opportunities through collaboration with CARE, a Demo Day to showcase your solutions, personalised mentorship from domain experts, immersive workshops, business development services, extensive networking, design-thinking support, and guidance for capital mobilisation.

Q3.What distinguishes the CARE & T-Hub Social Business Accelerator Program from other accelerators?

Our program stands out through its unique collaboration with CARE USA & T-Hub, offering startups unparalleled access to expertise in both social impact and startup incubation. We focus not just on scaling businesses but on creating meaningful societal change.

Q4: How does the mentorship process work, and what kind of expertise can startups expect?

Startups receive personalized mentorship from domain experts in their respective focus areas. These experts bring extensive experience, providing guidance on business strategy, market fit, and sustainable impact, ensuring startups have the support needed to thrive.

Q5: Can startups from outside the focus areas of health, education, livelihood, disaster relief, crisis, food and water, equality, and climate apply?

The program is designed to significantly impact specific focus areas. While we encourage startups within these domains, exceptional ventures outside these areas demonstrating a strong social impact focus are also welcome to apply.

Q6: What does the Demo Day entail, and how can it benefit my startup?

Demo Day is your opportunity to showcase your final product or solution in front of the CARE USA group, potential investors, and industry leaders. It provides a platform to garner support, attract investments, and propel your startup to the next level on a global market.

Q7.Is the accelerator virtual or in person?

The program will be delivered in a hybrid model. Some physical attendance may be required to get the most from the program and maximise opportunities to meet face to face with the teams, founders and partners involved.

Q8: How does the program support startups in raising investments and forming partnerships?

We guide startups in developing robust partnerships with research institutions, academia, and development agencies. Additionally, our program assists in navigating the investment landscape, connecting startups with potential investors to fuel their growth.

Q9: Is there a specific stage at which startups should apply?

We are calling Market-Ready and Revenue-Generating startups to apply for the program. The key criterion is a strong commitment to creating a positive social impact. Our program is designed to support startups at different phases of their journey.

Express Interest for the Program

What does CARE do? We save lives, defeat poverty, achieve social justice, and fight for women and girls. For 75 years, CARE has led the way to a better life for the world’s most vulnerable people. This year, CARE and partners worked in 111 countries, reaching more than 174 million people around the world through 1,600 projects.