WORLDuplinkECONOMICFORUMUpLink AnnuaImpact ReportMARCH2025
ContentsAboutUplinkForewordExecutivesummaryHowUoLinkenablesimpact11 Erngagementandnetwokingaopporunides12Globalvisbility and thoughtleadership,1.3 Businessgrowth acceleration,oTop Innovators'impact2.1Spotight Economicimpact2.2Thematicimpact2Looking aheadAppendicesA1 Impact management and measurement frameworkA2 UpLink's role in facilitating connections with key stakeholders,A3ContributorsEndnotesImages:Getty Images, UnsplashUplink AnnualImpact Report March 2025
About UpLinkVolLinkisaWorldEconomicForuminitiative,foundedincollaboration withDeloitteandSalesforce,focusedonimpactfulearly-stageinnovation,Itbuildsecosystemnsthatenable purpose-driven, early-stage entrepreneurs to scale their businesses for the marketsand economies that are essential to a net-zero, nature-positive and equitable future.UoLink's strategicobiectivesAccelerateEnable InnovationInfluenceGimpactEcosystemsperceptionof early-stageinnovatorsbyfacilitatingcollaborationthrough impactful narrativesbyproviding thenecessarybetweeninnovatorsandto insplire collective action,resources andnetworkstobusiness leaders, investors,mobilizecapital and cultivatesupporttheir growth,enablingpublic-sectorpartners anda conducive environmentforthem toscale anddeliverdomainexperts.innovation tothrivein.impact.UpLink in numbers66InnovationEcosystemsInnovationChallengesFundingstage51766%Male(Co-)FounderorC-suite42%TopInnovators34%selected since2020Female(Co-)FounderorC-suite37%Headquarters in 75 countriesEurope andCentralAsia27%NorthAmerica26%21%Sub-SaharanAfrica15%EastAsiaandPacific10%LatinAmericaandCaribbean10%SouthAsia9%Middle East andNorthAfrical3%UpinkAnualImpactReportMarch202s2
ForewordSadaf HosseiniJohnDuttonHead,Growth,Partnerships andInnovation Ecosystems,Uplink,WorldEconomicForumAt UpLinkredriven by a clear mission: toprating with visionarycalyticfunding, and overnableaviatiorched the UpLinkjuality,early-o mobilizing capitalin advancing the businessChapter2) as wellmentalects our belief thatre essential inWe recognize that the future is shaped by ounof takingdecisive actiongrowsactions today. Together, let's turn challenges intdopportunities and aspirations into achievements300 early-stagestart-ups or"Top Innovatorsin areas including climate action, clean waterUplink AnnualImpact Report March 2025
Executive summanThe UpLink Innovation Ecosystem championssolutions that create lasting transformationacross industries and societies, acceleratingprogress for people and planet,y convening entrepreneurs, investors,ons such as Emerald TechnologyRolexandthe US DepartmentJpLink InnovationUpLinkand the Forum's-has raised morefunderslike Breakthroughtcapitalempowersstart-upstocale their businesses, leading toimpressivegrowth metrics. In 2024, 47% of the innovatorsd to 2023'datasawmorethan40%rcustomercount.Thisgrowthst two cohorts of 20 water-focused innovatorsUundersorestherstrengthand sustainabiliy,"aquapreneurs"}sourced throughtheeur Innovation Initiative conductedlimpact through measuressuchas wastewater fltration, Co, sequestaton andthey have raised an impress...
