
100x is looking to partner with you
We're looking for future social unicorns—organisations capable of improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people, if not billions.
Selected ventures will receive £150,000 in catalytic funding and a long-term partnership with 100x, including tailored strategic support, LSE’s research expertise, and connections to a global community of funders, advisers, and peers.
Eligibility
What we offer
- £150,000 in catalytic funding to strengthen your pathway to scale
- A long-term partnership, beginning with a tailored 16-week programme, to sharpen your funding and impact measurement strategy, strengthen your leadership and support you as you scale
- Connections to advisers, funders, partners and peers to exchange ideas, build relationships and explore opportunities
- Potential follow-on funding for selected ventures, subject to fit and funding availability
Selection Criteria
100x is looking for the next generation of social unicorns - organisations affecting positive change on the scale of billions. Our selection process is rooted in a holistic evaluation of both the people and the model. Here are the key criteria we consider:
Problem
A clearly defined and evidenced problem showing deep understanding of its scope, causes, and affected populations, coupled with a sizeable impact opportunity capable of driving system-level change.
Proposition
A distinctive model that outperforms alternatives in cost, quality, accessibility, or reach, clearly showing why it stands out in the competitive landscape.
Performance
Strong track record of adoption, validated outcomes, and growth. Ventures demonstrate focus, operational discipline, credible governance, and resilience in execution.
People
Entrepreneurial leaders and teams with the resilience, ambition, and capability to scale impact. Leaders show vision and credibility, supported by complementary teams with domain, operational, and Tived experience.
Pathways
A credible and specific route to mass adoption, with early evidence of progress and realistic mitigation of model-typical scaling risks.
100x additionarity
100x is uniquely positioned to accelerate the venture at its current inflection point with support that compliments its scaling ambition, enabling meaningful shifts in its trajectory while generating insights that strengthen both our portfolio learning and the wider ecosystem
Through these criteria, we aim to select ventures that not only have innovative solutions but also leaders deeply committed to driving positive social and environmental change. We value proximity to communities, inclusive approaches, and the capacity to affect systematic transformation.
Through these criteria, we aim to select ventures that not only have innovative solutions but also leaders deeply committed to driving positive social and environmental change. We value proximity to communities, inclusive approaches, and the capacity to affect systematic transformation.
- We aim to have 70% of our portfolio to come from emerging markets and value applications where founders and/or senior team members be based in the region the organisation operates in
What to expect
Online application and review
Our application window is open for 5 weeks. But we encourage ventures to apply as soon as possible.
After each application is received, it is carefully reviewed by our team. Based on our appraisal, we select up to 50 teams to move to the next stage. Those who won't have made it through will be notified in December 2026.
Initial interview
Based on the initial application, teams will be selected to move forward to the next stage of the application process. Interviews will also be arranged via email—this is usually a short online conversation (20 minutes) with the founders or senior leaders of the venture to understand more about you as individuals, your solution and your plans for the future.
Detailed due diligence
Afterwards, teams will be selected to move forward into the due diligence phase of our application process. At this point, each of the team members will need to decide whether they want to increase the amount of time and resources dedicated to the application process significantly.
We ask for more information at this stage and hold further in-depth conversations with teams (alongside our due diligence partner). This usually takes 2-3 hours of online conversation with follow-up supply on specific areas we need to further our understanding in. For the current application cycle, the due diligence process will happen between January and April 2027.
Cohort selection
We have an independent selection committee that reviews and makes the ultimate selection decision for each cohort. The outcome will be communicated to you in July 2027.
Programme starting
If selected, you will be connected to our Programme team, who will onboard you to the programme and provide further details regarding kick-off week and programme schedules.
Frequently asked questions
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