The second cohort of the IDEO Last Mile Money Startup Accelerator programme seeks promising early-stage ventures focused on connecting underserved communities in emerging markets to digital financial services.
Last Mile Money has a goal to bring high-interest savings, auto payout insurance, radically affordable remittances, and more to millions of last-mile users.
Bringing startups with thoughtfully designed solutions together, the Accelerator believes this will help in achieving its mission to build financial resilience and create pathways to a better life for the people.
“Today, this quickly-growing market is largely underserved by current digital financial tools, which are often not designed with the needs of last-mile users in mind. We use IDEO’s human-centred design approach to propel ventures by building intuitive products and services.”
The organisation affirms to have worked in collaboration with global multinational firms such as Google, Unilever, and Vodafone, as well as growing startups like NowMoney, Finja, Boost, and more. Together, they have designed and tested 100+ prototypes reaching millions of last-mile users across developing countries.
Benefits
Startups accepted into the programme will receive the following benefits:
- Design support: Not just UX/UI design, the accelerator brings a wide variety of design perspectives to its work — from user research to business design and more. Ventures will get dedicated teams of IDEO designers to work with them on solving design challenges that are getting in the way of growth. They will be provided with a range of flexible design support ranging from office hours to 4 – 6 weeks sprints to help them leverage the company’s expertise
- $30 – 50K grants: The accelerator will provide between $30 – 50k of equity-free grant funding per startup to accelerate their go-to-market and scale-up plans. Additional top-ups are available based on traction and needs
- CICO Collective Membership: The accelerator’s CICO Collective gives startups access to salons, webinars, and co-creation opportunities with an online community of 1,200+ other founders and experts building for the last mile
- Access to the accelerator’s partner network: Its partners are available to train startups in problem-solving, build tech, improve systems, and launch
Eligibility
Any venture working at the intersection of last-mile users and financial empowerment can apply.
How to apply
Application ends on Friday, July 15, 2022.
