The Investment Ready Program is a 6-month intensive program for purpose driven organisation with a scalable, (proof-of-concept) solution for the social inclusion of children and young people. It’s unique for it’s:

1. pure impact focus: You will be part of a selected cohort of purpose driven organisations working on the same societal challenge as you (i.e. social inclusion of children and young people), and supported by impact-minded experts and impact investors.
2. international set-up: Participants will be coming from four countries (Brazil, Germany, Malaysia and Turkey,). You will get the chance to meet, work and exchange on several occasions.
3. global network: Through our global network we help you to get access to markets around the globe
4. customised support: the program is designed for proof of concept stage organisations and offers personalised support.

‘Encouraging Future Generations’ is the topical focus of this Investment Ready Program (IRP) initiated by Allianz and Impact Hub Munich. IRP as a start-up acceleration program was developed by Impact Hub Vienna in 2011 and expanded to Impact Hub Amsterdam in 2014. Within the last 6 years, it has helped 77+ purpose driven organisations in Central and Eastern Europe to become fit for investment.

The origin of this topical focus is the Corporate Responsibility program Encouraging Future Generations by Allianz. As part of their global corporate responsibility strategy Allianz fosters resilient societies and supports social inclusion of children and young people.

For this program, we use the definition of the European Commission (2004) as the “process and outcome of ensuring that citizens have the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of living (…)”.

To learn more about social inclusion see the joint report of social inclusion published by the European Commission or check out Sustainability at Allianz.

With proof-of-concept we mean organisations that are a little beyond start-up phase. This means that the technology, product or solution that you are developing has proven to be (technically) feasible and at least initial market validation (price testing, customer development, trial licensing) has been performed with positive results.

With purpose driven organisation we mean organisations with a scalable product or solution that work with a social entrepreneurial mindset (i.e. entrepreneurial, value based, mission driven, resourceful and well embedded in local realities). Since we believe that your financial model should fit the challenge you are addressing and the context you are working in, application is open for organisations registered under different legal forms (e.g. limited liability company, cooperative, sole proprietorship).

You can apply for the program if you meet the following criteria:

• purpose-driven entrepreneur, working on a scalable solution targeting social inclusion of children and youth

• proof-of-concept (you are revenue generating, revenue testing)

• seeking investment (€40k-€1MIO)

• legally incorporated in one of these countries: Brazil, Germany, Malaysia or Turkey.

Locally we focus on different aspects related to social inclusion of children and youth.

• In Brazil, we focus on education, financial literacy, health, safety, mobility, digitalisation and gender inequality.

• In Malaysia, we focus on diversity, education, health and environmental challenges hampering social inclusion of children and youth.

• In Turkey, we focus on gender inequality, children health and preventive solutions.

• In Germany, we do not focus on any particular sub topic.

The local sub topics represent spheres we perceive to be in urgent need for action in the respective national context. That is why we give priority to applicants engaging within these topic areas. However, if you are approaching social inclusion of children and young people from another angle and can soundly reason for the necessity as well as the effectiveness of your solution, we are very much encouraging you to apply.

Applications are open until Nov. 26th 2017, 11.59 pm CET and you can apply right away through our application portal.

We will select the participating teams after the application deadline. You will be informed in the week of December 11th.

We do not take an equity stake in our participants. We make investment available through our impact investment network and committed partners. We will help you build your growth strategy and investment plan and provide opportunities to pitch. You will be fully in charge to leverage those opportunities.

As a participant, you will receive individualised support through a local Investment Ready Coach, Allianz mentors and experts, while also receiving a lot of valuable feedback from your fellow participants (peers).

In addition you will be provided with an Impact Hub Membership gaining access to our global community of purpose driven entrepreneurs and co-working spaces in 90+ locations around the globe.

No, we do not take an equity stake in your venture.

First, we’d like to make clear that you are always fully responsible to attract the right investors/funders, manage those relationships and close a successful deal. What we do is providing all the necessary support for getting there:

• Financial and legal experts help you build a strong financial model and cover your legal foundations.

• Experienced Allianz mentors help you work on any blind spots or missing elements in your business.

• The program is designed to get you step by step to a thorough growth and investment plan and an engaging presentation.

• Our pool of experts, partners and investors will join the program informally and at the Impact Day on June 15th in Munich where you get access to a group of pre-selected impact investors and funders.

Your organisation needs to be incorporated/registered as a legal entity, in Brazil, Germany, Malaysia or Turkey. Charities and associations are not eligible, as they are not structured to receive equity investments.

The program focuses on organisations that are in the so-called “valley of death” or “pioneer gap” phase, beyond the start-up, but not yet fully established. In order to apply, your technology/product/solution should have a basic proof-of-concept and your organisation should generate at least a minimum amount of revenue. If you already run serious revenue (>EUR 1 mio) for the technology/product that you are applying with, you are probably also not eligible.

You commit to following the full program, including all exercises, preparing your plan and presentation. This means you need to reserve all program dates in your calendar. At least one co-founder or director of the organisation needs to attend the full program (other colleagues can join for the Events).

You commit to providing to your peers and receiving constructive feedback. You will be required to be very transparent with us and your peers regarding your organisation (sharing details on the state of your team, financials, product; specific technical details about your product do not need to be shared though). All participants and core program staff will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) at the start of the program.

You will need to be seeking (equity) investment.

The costs for the program itself are covered by Allianz. You will only be covering your own travel costs and accommodation for all events. Participating teams from Brazil, Malaysia and Turkey can apply for an Allianz international travel and accommodation stipend for the Investment Ready Academy I and II and the Impact Day in Munich.

Over the course of the program, you should expect to put in about 20 days:

• 2-3 hours for the local Kick-off Event in January
• 5 days for the Investment Ready Academy I in Munich in February
• 1 day for the local cohort meeting in April
• 3 days for the Investment Ready Academy II and the Impact Day in Munich in June
• 2-3 hours for the local Closing Event in June/July
• 8 days to build up your strategy, plan and presentation
• About 10-15 hours of mentoring and consultation with experts (Jan-June)

See the exact program schedule on the Homepages of the four hosting Impact Hubs.

Yes, your application and all details provided will be treated confidentially. We do not ask for specific technical or business details in the application form. If you do not wish to disclose certain information that is requested in the application, let us know. Since we require all participants to be fully transparent with sharing information during the program, core program staff and participants will sign an (Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) at the start of the program.

The program value is simply a rough estimate of the value generated for our participants. We simply add up the contributed hours in mentoring at market rates, add Impact Hub Memberships, add the workshop days at regular training rates and add an average for the value created through our network for investment deals and media exposure.

• You can expect an amazing program, probably with some of the best purpose driven organisations of four different countries, supporting each other to become even better.
• You can expect experienced mentors and facilitators that are there to support you.
• You can expect a program culture of high integrity, strong work ethic, entrepreneurial creativity and authentic spirit to build beautiful solutions that solve real world problems.
• You can expect to get to work with a group of people that might become long-term business friends and supporters.
• You can expect to plug into a global network that allows you to rapidly explore new markets.
• You can expect to work and meet in one of the most inspiring workspace at the Impact Hub.
• You should expect to work hard, achieve tangible results, make tough choices and have a lot of fun.

We do not ask you to pay a participation fee. Instead, you have to independently organise and pay for all travel related costs and accommodation (incl. two trips to Munich for the Investment Ready Academy (Feb. 5th – Feb. 9th 2018) and the Impact Day (June 15th 2018). Participating teams from Brazil, Malaysia and Turkey can apply for an Allianz international travel and accommodation stipend after successful completion of the program.

In total, a travel cost reimbursement budget of EUR 20,000 is available for all participants from Malaysia, Turkey and Brazil (approx. 12 participants).

After receiving all requests, Impact Hub Munich and Allianz will allocate the budget based on a factor model. You have to independently organise and pay for all travel related costs (incl. two trips to Munich for the Investment Ready Academy (Feb. 5th – Feb. 9th 2018) and the Impact Day (June 15th 2018). Participants from Malaysia, Turkey and Brazil are eligible to apply for an Allianz international travel and accommodation cost reimbursement after successful completion of the program. (You have successfully completed the program if you participated at all events organised as part of the program and if your local Investment Ready Coach confirms your request based on your commitment/performance throughout the program).

You submit an awesome application, you can speak with our recruitment and if you’re invited to a Warm-up event, you can of course make a great appearance. We do not believe in only great pitches and plans and we do not believe in perfect entrepreneurs. We appreciate it much more if you’re honest about where you’re at and let us look ‘under the hood’ of your organisation and share openly how you want to grow and in what way you could benefit from the program.

• Full program tuition for one organisation (up to 2 participating team members)
• All program materials and online tools
• 6 months Impact Hub membership for up to two participating team members at the hosting Impact Hub in your country (membership can be extended to more team members at additional costs)
• 10-15 hours personalised coaching by an Investment Ready coach
• Participation at the Investment Ready Academy I & II in Munich (Travel or accommodation costs are not covered. Yet, you can request travel cost reimbursement after successful completion of the program.
• Mentorship by selected Allianz professionals
• Access to Allianz Experts working in different areas on demand
• Possibility to join the Impact Day where you get exposed to a group of carefully selected investors and where you get the chance to pitch for the Allianz Future Generations Award (EUR 40,000).

You can still apply. Make it clear to us what criteria you are not meeting and how you aim to meet it them by the start of the program and we’ll consider your application.

Yes! We have a very strong integrity filter for any organisation or entrepreneur that we support. Examples for reasons for exclusion are discrimination, immorality, criminal or illegal activity, political or religious motivations or activities reinforcing social conflicts; neglection of human rights or a lack of compliance with current environmental and social national legislations and international standards; activities related to the weapon, addictive substances, gabling and pornography.

The Allianz Future Generation Award is a grant of EUR 40,000 provided by Allianz. At the Impact Day in Munich (June 15th,), all participants of the Investment Ready Program Encouraging Future Generations will get the chance to pitch in front of a Jury which will subsequently pick one winner receiving the grant. The jury will select the winning team based on the pitches, the program journeys the teams went through and the impact the organisations are generating with respect to social inclusion of children and young people.