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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 startups run by underrepresented groups to help tackle economic inequality.

Tackling economic inequality

Our work in this area is carried out by Sage Foundation, which is committed to making a difference through business mentoring and advice. We also support businesses run or supported by underrepresented groups. By engaging with a wide range of socioeconomic groups, we can help to address inequalities and build sustainable communities.

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

The BOSS Impact Fund – investing in women of color

We are in the midst of 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 color.

Sage funding has supported 35 black women entrepreneurs, each of whom received a $10,000 grant to help grow their businesses, in addition to wrap-around business advisory services through BOSS Business University webinar training 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 color and inspiring other women to share their journey.
Learn more about The BOSS Network

Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE)

We’re partnering with ACE in Atlanta and North Georgia to provide low-cost loans and educational resources for disadvantaged business owners.

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 to help them unlock up to $1,750,000 in guaranteed and low interest loans.

Kiva

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

We’re providing:

  • $300,000 capital to entrepreneurs directed through Kiva and local field partners. This three-year revolving fund will have a total financial impact of almost $900,000
  • $200,000 of 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:

  • A stipend to help leading social entrepreneurs champion innovative ideas to improve the lives of millions
  • The Ashoka Young Changemakers program that helps young people become changemakers within their own communities
  • 1000 Sage employees to become changemakers through education and inspirational 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 which focuses on two programs:

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

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

Explore our Pillars

Tech for Good

We are committed to building an inclusive digital network you can trust. Through our Tech for Good pillar, we want to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to access life-changing data and technology while also 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 reducing our own emissions by 50% by the year 2030. We plan to become net zero by 2040, supporting SMEs by advocating for the regulatory frameworks be put in place to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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