Second Muse - Social Innovation Accelerator

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-11 12:52

Social enterprise accelerator supporting innovation ecosystems for systemic change. Works on circular economy and waste management solutions, providing mentorship and capital to early-stage ventures.

Source: https://www.secondmuse.com

Funding Details

Funder

SecondMuse (with clients including USAID, World Bank, Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation)

Funding Goal

Build circular economies for marginalised communities and advance climate tech through innovation ecosystem design and accelerator programmes

Funding Amount

SecondMuse is a programme designer and operator, not a direct funder. Individual programme budgets vary by client and contract. The Incubation Network loan facility was USD 8 million for South Asian recyclers.

Deadline

periodic (periodic)

How to Apply

SecondMuse does not accept unsolicited grant applications directly. Specific programme calls are issued through partner platforms. The Bengaluru circular economy grants were distributed via a venture builder framework with selection through local Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs). Monitor secondmuse.com and incubationnetwork.com for new calls.

Target Region

Global; notable focus on India (Bengaluru), Southeast Asia, and Africa; programmes designed on all 7 continents

Contact

SecondMuse: hello@secondmuse.com; secondmuse.com; The Incubation Network: incubationnetwork.com

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:25

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• SecondMuse does not issue direct open grant calls — contact for programme partnership
• Bengaluru CE Grants: for-profit social enterprises only, registered with India MCA
• Individual programme eligibility varies by funding client and geography

Project Scope

• Informal sector inclusion and social impact are priority selection criteria

Required Documents

• Monitor secondmuse.com and incubationnetwork.com for new programme calls

Summary

SecondMuse is a leading social innovation firm that designs and implements market-driven programmes to generate lasting impact across social, environmental, and economic systems. Operating on all seven continents, SecondMuse has partnered with over 600 clients including NASA, the World Bank, USAID, Nike, Pivotal Ventures, WHO, and the Rockefeller Foundation. In the circular economy domain, SecondMuse focuses on building inclusive circular economies for marginalised communities, with particular emphasis on integrating informal workers and excluded communities into formal waste collection and recycling value chains. Key programmatic areas include waste traceability and transparency, plastic waste recycling infrastructure, and circular economy innovation clusters. SecondMuse co-manages The Incubation Network alongside Circulate Capital, which previously operated an eight-million-dollar loan facility for plastic waste recyclers in South Asia. In India, SecondMuse and Climate KIC are operating the Circular Economy Catalytic Grant Facility in Bengaluru, supported by the IKEA Foundation. This programme provides up to USD 18,000 per venture in equity-free milestone-based funding to post-revenue social enterprises working in post-consumer plastic, textile, e-waste, and glass recycling value chains. Ventures are selected through local ESOs and must be registered as for-profit social enterprises with India's Ministry of Corporate Affairs. SecondMuse does not issue open grant calls directly. Rather, it designs and manages programmes on behalf of institutional funders. Organisations wishing to participate in SecondMuse programmes should monitor their website and partner platforms for specific calls, or engage with SecondMuse as a potential implementation partner for planned programmes. The firm emphasises a systems-change approach, seeking to redesign market conditions rather than fund isolated projects.

Historical Context

SecondMuse co-founded The Incubation Network in 2020 with Circulate Capital, operating through 2023. The Bengaluru circular economy programme with IKEA Foundation/Climate KIC began in 2024-2025. SecondMuse has historically worked with USAID on ocean plastics programmes in Southeast Asia.

Why it was added

Social enterprise accelerator with broader mandate including circular economy, potential partner for waste ventures

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