What is the Human Planet Impact Venture Accelerator?

It is a four month investment readiness programme for impact ventures and NGO led initiatives. The programme combines strategic advisory, financial modelling, pitch development, and direct investor access through our pitch event, Pitch Day.

Who is the programme for?

We work with NGO led initiatives moving toward commercial activity, social enterprises with early revenue, and early stage impact ventures preparing for their first or second institutional round of capital.

How long is the programme?

Four months from kickoff to Pitch Day, followed by twelve months of light touch follow up support.

How many ventures are accepted into each cohort?

Five. We run one cohort per year and keep the group small so every founder receives direct, repeated time with our team of partners and operators.

When do applications open?

Applications open in March each year and close in late April. The cohort runs from May through Pitch Day in late June. Applications for the 2026 cohort closed on 24 April 2026 and the cohort is now in progress. To be notified the moment applications open for the next cohort, join the waitlist.

Pitch Day is our investor pitch event. Each cohort closes with a live pitch session in front of a curated room of approximately forty active impact investors with deployment mandates in the sectors our cohort represents.

What sectors do you focus on?

Climate adaptation, inclusive financial services, health systems strengthening, sustainable agriculture, and adjacent sectors where the gap between problem size and capital allocated is large enough to justify dedicated venture support.

What does the programme cost?

The programme fee structure is shared with shortlisted applicants during the selection process. We work with founders to find a structure that does not become a barrier to participation for ventures that are otherwise a strong fit.

Is this programme remote, in person, or hybrid?

The programme is hybrid. Most working sessions are remote. Two in person convenings frame the programme: a kickoff retreat at the start, and Pitch Day at the end.

How is this different from other impact accelerators?

Three things. The programme is operator led rather than consultant led. The cohort is intentionally small at five ventures. The work is organised around the documents and conversations needed to close a round of capital, rather than around weeks of content.

What happens after the programme ends?

Founders receive twelve months of follow up support, including help with investor follow up, term sheet negotiation, and the operational changes that come with closing a non grant round of capital. Alumni also become part of the Human Planet network for future engagements.

Can I join the programme as an investor?

Investors join through Pitch Day rather than through the programme itself. To request an invitation to the next Pitch Day or to be added to our investor list, please use the form on the page.

Actiris IOD Social Impact Bond

INSTRUMENT	Social Impact Bond
REGION	Belgium (Brussels)
DURATION	3 years (from 2017)
FUNDING	Up to EUR 2.5M
INVESTOR RETURN	Up to 7.5% IRR
FOCUS AREA	Long term unemployment

THE SOLUTION

We launched a Social Impact Bond for the Brussels employment office to support the return of long term unemployed people to work. It scaled the IOD method, which proactively engages small and medium employers to create openings and tackles specific barriers such as discriminatory recruitment and the rise of short and part time contracts. Investors financed delivery upfront and were repaid against a verified re employment result.

HEADLINE RESULT

750 people supported and 510 job contracts of 90 or more days signed by the end of the bond.

IMPACT FOCUS

750 beneficiaries reached by the end of the bond
510 job contracts signed for at least 90 working days
Expected re employment rate of around 68 percent, against 14 percent without the programme
Investor return of up to 7.5 percent IRR