VESTA is the result of a unique collaboration between FURTHER, specialists in the holistic development of impact entrepreneurs, and Scott Langdon and Virginia Schmithalter, founders of Our Common Home (OCH), an organisation known for its work engaging communities around the world who are often left out of mainstream climate conversations.
The incubator’s pilot programme will take place in Brazil in 2026, with Maniê as the local implementation partner. Maniê is a Brazilian consultancy with 15 years of experience mentoring purpose-driven organisations and entrepreneurs, and its team have a close relationship with FURTHER through their time working together on Red Bull Amaphiko.
Together, these partners bring deep expertise in social innovation, leadership development, and inclusive entrepreneurship — forming a coalition that connects local ingenuity with global networks of learning and investment.
The name VESTA draws inspiration from the Roman goddess of the hearth and home, symbolising warmth, renewal, and collective care — values that mirror the incubator’s mission to nurture community-rooted climate solutions that protect and sustain our shared planetary home.
Why Brazil?
Brazil’s underserved territories are home to powerful but under-recognised innovators addressing environmental and social challenges in their own communities, from waste management to water conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Yet, many of these ventures struggle to access the financial resources or technical support needed to grow. They often remain invisible to the traditional investment ecosystem.
VESTA’s pilot seeks to change this, identifying high-potential, climate-focused ventures operating outside mainstream innovation circles and preparing them for sustainable growth and capital readiness. By unlocking pathways for these ventures to access funding and visibility, VESTA aims to contribute to a more inclusive climate economy, one that values local knowledge, equity, and resilience as core components of climate action.
The 12-month programme will focus on developing both the entrepreneurs and their businesses, strengthening leadership capacity, refining business models, testing growth strategies, and preparing each venture to engage confidently with investors and partners.
Ultimately, VESTA aims to demonstrate that the next generation of climate solutions will not come only from major corporations or international institutions, but from communities on the frontlines of change.
How the Programme Works
VESTA’s incubation journey is tailored, practical, and deeply human-centred. Over the course of one year, participating entrepreneurs will engage in a development pathway designed to strengthen both their strategic decision-making and their capacity to attract investment.
The Development Journey Includes:
- In-depth diagnostics to understand each entrepreneur’s context, needs, and development priorities.
- Mapping of key milestones and personalised development plans.
- Connections with mentors and technical experts aligned to identified needs.
- Monthly one-on-one coaching sessions for continuous support.
- Immersive in-person gatherings that foster trust, peer learning, and community.
- Dedicated technical resources to address regulatory, financial, and operational needs.
- Institutional development mentoring covering investment readiness, storytelling, and organisational strategy.
- Opportunities to engage with aligned investors and funders during and after the programme.
Through this holistic approach, VESTA supports entrepreneurs in strengthening their ventures from the inside out — helping them move from promising local initiatives to investment-ready enterprises with measurable impact.
VESTA is looking for early-stage climate ventures and entrepreneurs who are ready to take the next step in their growth journey.
The Ventures
- Offer innovative products or services addressing local climate challenges;
- Have tested their concept and are already operational;
- Demonstrate potential for replication or scalability;
- Place environmental and social impact at the core of their business model (rather than as a corporate social responsibility add-on).
The Entrepreneurs
- Have a deep and authentic connection to their community;
- Show a clear ambition to expand their impact beyond their immediate context;
- Demonstrate strong ethical grounding and commitment to purpose;
- Are open to learning, collaboration, and ongoing professional development.
Building a Global Bridge for Climate Impact
VESTA represents a new generation of incubation, one that understands that climate innovation must be inclusive if it is to be effective. By connecting grassroots entrepreneurs to global climate finance networks, the initiative seeks to ensure that solutions emerging from the world’s most affected communities are given the support, recognition, and resources they deserve.
For FURTHER, this partnership reflects its ongoing mission to develop stronger humans who build stronger communities — now extended into the urgent global challenge of climate justice.
As the world looks to accelerate action on climate and equity, VESTA offers a model of hope: one that grows from the ground up, rooted in community, and ready to change the world.
