The Social Nest Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on advancing social and environmental impact entrepreneurship, presents Startup Challenge 2026 as part of The Gap in Between initiative. This international call is designed to promote entrepreneurship as a driver of social and environmental transformation. The challenge aims to identify, showcase, and support innovative startups developing solutions to urgent global challenges. By connecting impact-driven entrepreneurs with capital, strategic partners, and ecosystem allies, the program places them at the center of an international conversation about building a fairer, more inclusive, regenerative, and collaborative future.
Program Focus and Verticals
The 2026 challenge is organized around five key innovation verticals:
- Climate Tech & Energy: including air treatment, carbon management, circular economy, climate adaptation and resilience, energy efficiency, energy storage, energy transition, renewable energy, smart grids, sustainable and low-carbon materials, water, and waste management and recycling.
- Smart Cities & Mobility: including ConTech, urban-focused GovTech, infrastructure resilience and climate adaptation, mobility-as-a-service, PropTech and housing, smart infrastructure and asset management, transport and logistics, transport infrastructure and operations, travel tech, and urban mobility.
- AgriTech & Food Systems: including agroforestry, alternative proteins, biodiversity and soil health, food tech, food supply chains and traceability, forestry and reforestation, livestock and animal health, precision farming, regenerative agriculture, and rural innovation.
- Health, Wellbeing & Care: including accessibility and assistive solutions, AgeTech and elder care, care economy solutions, community health, digital health, medical devices and diagnostics, mental health, nutrition and wellness, preventive health, and workplace wellbeing.
- Social & Economic Systems: including assistive technologies, community platforms, digital inclusion, disability and accessibility solutions, education and EdTech, financial inclusion, FinTech, future of work, GovTech and civic innovation, investing and measurement, inclusive employment, independent living and autonomy, social services innovation, and workforce and skills.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the challenge, startups must:
- Be legally incorporated at the time of application.
- Have a validated MVP or a product already in the market, beyond the idea stage.
- Operate at an early or growth stage, with the capacity to execute and scale.
- Demonstrate both technical and commercial viability with a clear value proposition.
- Have a committed founding team with relevant experience or complementary skills.
- Align with one of the defined impact tracks.
- Generate positive and measurable social and/or environmental impact as a core part of the business model.
Ideal Applicant Profile
The challenge is intended for:
- Impact-driven startups working across climate, mobility, health, food, and social innovation.
- Founders seeking investment or strategic partnerships.
- Startups with validated products or demonstrated market traction.
- Teams prepared to scale internationally.
Program Highlights
Selected participants can benefit from:
- Curated connections with key decision-makers.
- Increased visibility within a leading European impact ecosystem.
- The opportunity to pitch on an international stage.
- Access to collaboration and funding opportunities.
Application Details
- Applying to the challenge is free of charge, and participation in the event is also free for selected startups.
- The program is aimed at startups at the early or growth stage.
- Investors and corporations play an active role in the challenge.
- International startups are encouraged to apply.
- Event location and attendance details are shared with selected participants.
Startup Challenge 2026 offers a strong platform for startups committed to meaningful social and environmental change. Through international exposure, ecosystem visibility, and access to strategic connections, the program gives founders an opportunity to accelerate growth and expand their impact.