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Sustainability and society : Fuel for Business

Fuel for Business

Starting and growing a business is a proven route to long-term employment and high job satisfaction, as well as wealth creation, but many people lack the confidence, skills, and financial support to seize this opportunity. Sage provides strong digital and financial foundations for businesses and start-ups run by underrepresented groups to help tackle economic inequality.

Addressing economic inequality

Our work in this area is carried out by Sage Foundation, which is committed to making a difference through business mentoring, advice, and support for businesses run by or supporting under-represented groups. By engaging with a wide range of societal groups, we can help to address inequalities and build sustainable communities.

We aim to help those who need it the most, in both local and wider communities, through programs that knock down the barriers that drive inequality. Sage Foundation is committed to increasing access and inclusion to entrepreneurship and actively seeking out partnerships that increase our ability to make an impact.

The BOSS Impact Fund – investing in women of colour

We are currently in a three-year partnership with the BOSS (Bringing Out Successful Sisters) Network, who "promote and encourage the small business spirit and career development of women of colour."

Sage funding has supported 35 black female entrepreneurs, each of whom received a $10,000 grant to help grow their business, alongside wrap-around business advisory services through BOSS Business University webinar trainings co-hosted by Sage experts and mentorship. Sage is also the sponsor of BOSS Network’s annual Ladies that Lead conference: a one-day virtual event highlighting influential women of colour and inspiring other women to share their journey.
Learn more about The BOSS Network

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)

We’re partnering with Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) in Atlanta and North Georgia to provide low-cost loans and educational resources to business owners from disadvantaged communities.

These loans will help borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses that generate jobs. Our three-year program will provide individuals with clear advice and business support, plus help them unlock up to $1,750,000 in guaranteed and low-interest loans.

Kiva

To address economic inequality, we’ve partnered with Kiva. By supporting Kiva in providing loans to underserved communities, we can help give individuals the opportunity to start businesses.

We’re providing:

  • $300,000 capital to entrepreneurs directed through Kiva and local field partners. This fund will revolve for three years for a total impact of nearly $900,000
  • $200,000 capital to social entrepreneurs and support for 24 social entrepreneurs who will benefit from loans ($50k-250k) from Kiva

Ashoka

Together Ashoka and the Sage Foundation are providing grants for leading social entrepreneurs.

We’re supporting:

  • An allowance to help leading social entrepreneurs champion innovative ideas to help the lives of millions
  • Ashoka Young Changemakers program that helps young people become changemakers within their own communities
  • 1,000 Sage colleagues to become changemakers through education and inspiration activities

Teens in AI

As part of a multi-year partnership with the Sage Foundation and Teens in AI, we're aiming to inspire the next generation of ethical artificial intelligence researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. The goal is to give young people early exposure to AI that is developed and deployed for social good, and focuses on two programs:

  • The 2022 and 2023 International Women’s Day Hackathon, which will be hosted in 24 countries
  • The 2022 and 2023 Summer Bootcamp Accelerator program

Sage colleagues support the program by volunteering as mentors, judges, and speakers. 

Explore our pillars

Tech for Good

We are committed to building a trusted and inclusive digital network. Through our Tech for Good pillar, we want to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to access life-changing data and technology, while championing data protection, security, and the ethical use of customer data.
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Protect the planet

Our Protect the Planet pillar is our commitment to fight climate change. We are delivering on it by halving our own emissions by 2030, becoming net zero by 2040, supporting SMBs to get to net zero, and by advocating for regulatory frameworks to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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