Impact Factory

Program description

The Impact Factory is a start-up grant that offers social entrepreneurs from all over Germany a collaborative space where scalable innovations can be created to solve complex social and ecological challenges. Anyone who wants to set up a company based on social business models will find a home here. The Factory connects impact startups with their corporate partners at an early stage in order to jointly advance your socially innovative ideas.

The Impact Factory offers two program phases that support you and your team in different forms and intensities, depending on your level of maturity:

1. Early - Are you in the early development phase of your start-up idea? Here you will be supported in turning a vision into reality - from idea validation to market entry! In this program phase, you will work closely with the Impact Factory for six months so that you gain all the important start-up skills and contacts.
2. Scale - Are you active on the market with your product beyond initial test sales? Then the Impact Factory will support you with sustainable growth and put you in contact with the right people and organizations. In this phase, the cooperation is more relaxed so as not to put too much pressure on your time for your daily operational business.

If you have completed one of these program phases, you will also benefit from the community program as a permanent member of the Impact Factory – for life. This aims to make all content available to all members at all times: Mastering new challenges, refreshing knowledge or getting to know the next important contact.

So: The Impact Factory is not just another founding program for social & green startups - it offers you a mix of qualification, a vibrant community full of like-minded innovators and a huge ecosystem of supporters. It connects you with impact investors, funding partners, universities and innovation labs. You become part of a large social & green economy network!

The Impact Factory is not interested in shares, but in your success. Participation is free of charge. No equity! No fees!

The Impact Factory provides indirect financial support by making funds available for specific consulting services (e.g. initial consultations & Q&A sessions with (patent) attorneys, pitch deck professionals, tax experts). The program also includes many exciting speakers who will provide you with practical tips and tricks (e.g. from the perspective of a "real investor": What is important in an investor pitch).
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The program for early and scale teams has an equivalent value of around 20,000 to 30,000 euros.

Institution

Anthropia gGmbH

Anthropia gGmbH is committed to working with various people and organizations to transform our economy. In addition to the Impact Factory, Anthropia is also dedicated to other projects and tasks in the field of green and social entrepreneurship. Anthropia gGmbH is also supported by its funding partners TRM Foundation, the Knauf family business and the Evonik Foundation. Here you will find projects that are also interesting for start-ups in addition to the Impact Factory, e.g. the podcast for future shapers.

Together with its network partners, Anthropia gGmbH works to promote sustainable projects, start-ups and initiatives. Through various joint activities and event formats, they spread the idea of achieving economic impact.

Deadline

The next application phase will start around September 2024. Pre-registration is possible in order to be informed about the application start.

Funding period

Program start: every January and July

The active program lasts 4-6 months. The period is relevant and also mandatory for Earlys and Scales. Meetings take place approx. every 2 weeks for 2-3 days (for Earlys) - alternating between online and on-site in Duisburg. There are also special sessions for everyone at the start and end of the program - the boot camp and the final exams "Expert Check" and "Master Challenge".

Funding criteria

The program is aimed at founders from all over Germany who want to offer human, social and/or ecological added value with their business idea and whose idea is financially viable. A viable business model can also be developed jointly within the program. You can apply with an idea (Early) or with a first product version (Scale). It does not matter whether you have already founded a company or not. Applications from individuals are just as welcome as applications from teams.

Here you can find an overview of the United Nations' Agenda 2030. The Factory's definition of "impact" is based on this. If you meet one or more of the criteria in the colorful tiles, the Impact Factory is the right place for you.

To apply for the Early and Scale Program, you must participate in the fixed program.

1. Early Program

The Early Program is suitable for founders who have at least one idea for a solution to a relevant, high-potential social problem. It is therefore possible for prospective founders with an initial business idea to join the program. You are expected to actively participate in the program, work intensively on your idea and have serious start-up intentions. This also means that you want to be economically viable in the medium term in order to finance the company and yourself, as well as to engage in the iterative process and adapt and change your business idea according to market conditions if necessary.

In addition, start-ups that have already developed a prototype or MVP and are now about to enter the market or are in the process of entering the market also fit into this program phase. So if the company is relatively new and you are looking for a suitable market entry strategy, you can also apply.

2. Scale program

The scale phase is suitable for founders who have mastered market entry and now want to grow - organically or through investment.

Additional conditions

The main Impact Factory program is designed slightly differently depending on the phase in order to cover the individual needs of the startups. Parts of the program are generally recommended - e.g. prototyping for Earlys and sales coaching for Scales - although other parts are not mandatory, reliability and your commitment are a prerequisite for successful participation.

In addition, a variety of different workshops, lectures and consultation hours take place, which you can choose according to your level of knowledge and with different people from the team. This ensures that the most important start-up skills are developed in each team.

1.The early phase requires active participation in the main program. This means that each participating startup agrees to take part with at least one person in a total of 5 sessions over six months. You choose the exact content yourself. Together with the Factory, you will identify your individual challenges and needs and work intensively on the next development step. What you get:

• Community program: You choose the modules that will help you make the most progress: Business Planning, Prototyping, Pitch Decks & Pitch Training, Impact Measurement, Sales Coaching, Founder Mental Health and much more!
• One-on-One Coaching: via the program or the appropriate contacts in the Impact Factory ecosystem.
• Personal mentor: The Factory will find you a mentor with an industry focus to provide you with specific knowledge or the right insights. This person will accompany you at least throughout your batch and, if the chemistry is right, will be happy to accompany you beyond that if you agree.
• Startup peer mentor: Networking with one of the advanced teams to discuss everyday questions about your startup life and more.
• Catering & accommodation on site: Catering and accommodation in Duisburg and the surrounding area will be provided. This means that you only have to pay for your own transportation.

2. In the scale phase, the Impact Factory supports you with selected specialist content, but above all with networking with important contacts and potential partners. Together with the supporter ecosystem, you will scale your company and thus also your impact in the world!

Participation in the Scale program is rather open: You should agree to participate in two dates over one batch, which will be deliberately prepared for you. This means that at least one of you should be a guest in Duisburg on these days. You are free to choose all other content and events. What you get:

• Community program: a diverse selection of program content in various formats. You have constant access to all topics that will help you move forward. You will also be invited to all events and network meetings.
• Personal mentor: with an industry focus, see early phase
• Pitch stage: Impact startups also need the necessary financial resources to grow. In addition to direct networking with investors, you will have the opportunity to present your investment-ready idea at our Investor Pitch Night.
• Catering on site: The Factory always provides catering. At the start of the program, you may have to spend the night, which will also be covered. Otherwise, no other multi-day attendances are planned in this phase. This means that You will only have to pay for your own travel and, if applicable, overnight accommodation beyond the kick-off.

In addition to participating in the program kick-off and your industry day, you are expected to take on a peer mentorship: You will be networked with a suitable team from the early phase and will openly exchange ideas about challenges over the six months, whether digitally or in person. This should be no more than about one hour per month.

Expenses for (commercial)

Coaching/mentoring services

Funding focuses on

Start-up/Foundation & consolidation, Corporate growth, Entrepreneurial know-how, Business model development, Innovation partnerships/networks, Market development, Sustainability, Social impact, Non-technological innovation, Scalability

Stage of the company/self-employment

prior to founding, up to 1 year after founding, up to 2 years after founding, up to 3 years after founding, up to 5 years after founding

Company Sizes

solo self-employed/one-man business, micro enterprise, small enterprise

Application type

multi-stage application procedure, Online form

Application procedure/documents

The way into the program:

1. Application: Start your journey by filling out the application form.

2. Interview: After the initial screening of applications, selected startups will be invited to a telephone interview.

3. Selection: If the chemistry is right and the ideas are congruent, you will receive an invitation to participate in the digital selection camp (Earlys only). In this case, Scales will be accepted directly into the current batch.

4. Program start: Each new batch starts with a kickoff bootcamp.

Please allow sufficient time for your application. Filling out the application form takes at least 30 minutes. The form asks for the following information:

• Key and contact details about your startup and you as founders
• You will work on various texts that explain you, your startup and your motivation. In some places, you will be asked for specific formats (e.g. short description or profile).
• You choose a self-assessment for the program phase at the Impact Factory. This assessment is not final and will be reviewed in the course of further joint discussions.
• Please prepare a short, approximately 1-minute video - simply filmed with your smartphone or laptop, for example. The Factory team would like to use this to gain a further impression of you and your idea. This also means: Don't worry about a glossy production!
• A team photo. If you don't yet have a joint photo or are a solo founder, individual photos are also fine. Please put individual photos of several people together as a collage.
• Optional: You can send additional attachments such as pitch decks at the end.

Jury/Decision-making body

After the application deadline, the Impact Factory goes through the individual applications and selects the most promising ones. The application process is divided into two stages. First, you will be contacted by telephone. If you and your idea are convincing, you and your team may be invited to a digital get-together (selection camp for Earlies). If there is a good fit on both sides, you will be accepted as part of the program.
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After the application deadline, it will take around 3 to 4 weeks before you are contacted for the first time. The selection camp takes place another 2 to 4 weeks later. You will receive the decision on admission very shortly after this selection camp. The process is designed so that a selection is made before the summer and Christmas vacations and you actively start the program after these breaks.

Selection criteria for admission to the program:

• In addition to the idea, above all your motivation, commitment and interest in a sustainable business model
• Willingness to adapt your initial idea in order to achieve a greater impact
• During the initial interview and selection camp, particular attention is paid to the people and team behind the idea

While we take a closer look at you, your ideas and working methods, the selection camp is not a tough sorting process, but rather a chance to get to know each other. In principle, the majority of all the people/teams taking part will be accepted!

At the end of the batches, a decision is made as to which start-up projects will continue to be supported by the Impact Factory and will be included in the next phase of the funding program. These decisions are made in the "Expert Check" at the end of the Early Phase and the "Master Challenge" at the end of the Scale Phase. An expert jury will check whether you have made the progress planned for the phase. There are no further formal qualification steps after the Master Challenge.

Assistance/Downloads

Here you can take a look at the start-ups in the Impact Factory community that have already launched successful projects and start-ups. You can also take a look at the Impact Factory network of experts.

FAQ: Here you will find the most frequently asked questions about the program, the application process and the Impact Factory. Everything you need to know to prepare for your start!

There is also an Impact Factory blog with interesting startup stories and interviews.

FAQ Url

Funded by

The Impact Factory is a joint initiative of the founding partners Beisheim Stiftung, Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, KfW Stiftung and Anthropia gGmbH with the support of program partner Der Paritätische NRW.

Funding area

Germany

Funding source of the institution

foundation (private), company