The SE’nSE call for projects selects early-stage start-ups with a positive environmental impact. Selected start-ups receive seed funding in the form of a subordinated loan of up to €50,000.
In practice
The SE’nSE call for projects supports start-ups with a positive environmental impact by providing:
- seed funding in the form of a subordinated loan of up to €50,000
- access to an extensive network of impact-focused organisations and individuals
- media visibility
- the opportunity to refine their projects based on constructive feedback from the jury
While the supported start-ups may choose to use the loan for as long as they need, the SE’nSE Fund mechanism is designed to encourage early repayment. Funds repaid to the SE’nSE Fund can then be invested in new companies.
A subordinated loan is a form of financing in which the lender takes on the highest level of risk, as they are the last to be repaid. Banks consider this type of loan as quasi-equity, which can help start-ups secure additional financing. Compared with equity financing, it has the advantage of being non-dilutive, both in terms of financial returns and voting rights. For these reasons, it is usually more expensive than a standard loan.
The loan is interest-free for the first 18 months. An annual interest rate of 5% then applies for the following 18 months. In subsequent years, an annual interest rate of 10% applies.
Why this call for projects?
Launched in 2016 by the Foundation for Future Generations, the SE’nSE call for projects is supported by the SE’nSE Fund. Created in 2016 by entrepreneur Pierre Mottet within the Foundation for Future Generations, the SE’nSE Fund aims to contribute to a more sustainable world by fostering entrepreneurship and supporting young companies with sustainable activities.
The support:
- Comes at a key stage in the entrepreneur’s journey: the launch phase of their start-up
- Provides crucial leverage to convince other investors of the project’s potential positive environmental impact and the team’s ability to deliver
- Provides an intermediate source of funding between the 3Fs (friends, family and fools) and more substantial, long-term sources of financing
The €50,000 was crucial to our first fundraising round and, together with other sources of capital, enabled us to secure the funding we needed. Beyond the financial support, the Foundation helped us enormously by connecting us with a network and raising our visibility.
The jury that assessed our project also gave us advice that proved extremely valuable during the early stages of the project.
Casimir Morobé
Co-founder of Toqua, Prototyping Sustainable Solutions 2021 and SE’nSE 2021 laureate
The stages
1. Launch of the call for projects
Submission of written applications.
2. Pre-selection of projects based on written applications
A jury of experts, including impact investors, entrepreneurs and professionals from a range of sectors, reviews the applications and pre-selects the projects to be presented to the jury.
3. Pitch to the jury and selection of projects
The pitch is delivered in English to an independent jury of inspiring experts in sustainable entrepreneurship. Each year, the jury selects between 2 and 5 winning projects.
4. Future Generations Summit
The Foundation’s laureates are showcased at the must-attend event for impact projects and start-ups, organised by the Foundation for Future Generations at the end of each year.
Previous edition
- Laureates of the previous edition
- Jury of the previous edition
- Partners of the previous edition
Partners
