What Pangaea X does

Pangaea X is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 2022 by polar explorer Mike Horn, headquartered in Pully (Lausanne), Switzerland. It operates an annual youth innovation acceleration program targeting entrepreneurs aged 18–30 who are developing environmental and sustainability-focused ventures. The organization runs two core programs: a 5–6 month European incubation track (featuring dedicated coaching, expert workshops across 8 domains, a Switzerland workshop week, and a grand final pitch at Station F in Paris) and, since 2024, a 3-day Côte d'Ivoire Hackathon in Assinie anchored by AGL Group's YIRI Innovation Center in Abidjan, with winning Ivorian teams gaining entry into the European program.

The product surface is non-technological: participants submit applications through a web-based platform requiring a 7-slide pitch deck and 3–4 minute video, then progress through structured coaching using established innovation frameworks (Strategyzer, Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, Design Thinking). Outputs include validated prototypes, business plans, and pitch-ready ventures. Across three European editions (2022–2024) and one Ivorian hackathon, the program has engaged 800+ applicants, produced 35+ participating teams, and built a mentor network of 35+ experts and 40+ coaches. No proprietary software, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities are developed or distributed.

The business model is sponsor-funded philanthropy rather than commercial revenue. Programs are offered free of charge to all participants, including no fee for the European or Côte d'Ivoire tracks. Operating capital is secured through Title Sponsorships with MSC Foundation, the Horn Foundation, and AGL Group, supplemented by venue, academic, prize, and government partners (Station F, Aquatis Hotel, Impact Hub Lausanne, CANON France, UNICEF Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition). The organization employs approximately 6–10 core staff — including a President, Program Lead, Communications Head, and Coordinator — and is governed as an independent association with no parent company. The organization has announced that no European edition is planned for 2025, with focus shifting to the Ivory Coast track.

Name

Pangaea X

Legal name

Association Pangaea X

Website

https://pangaeax.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pangaea X is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 2022 by explorer Mike Horn that runs free 5–6 month environmental innovation incubation programs for young entrepreneurs aged 18–30, with annual European editions and a 2024 Côte d'Ivoire hackathon, funded by MSC Foundation, Horn Foundation, and AGL Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Environmental Innovation Incubation

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD)

Keywords

• Innovation incubation program
• Youth entrepreneurship
• Environmental sustainability
• Social enterprise support
• Startup accelerator

Headquarters

HQ city

Pully

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: Pangaea X is a non-profit association funded through partnerships with corporate sponsors and foundations. Major partners include MSC Foundation, Horn Foundation, and AGL Group who provide financial and strategic support for program operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pangaea X is a non-profit association that runs free youth innovation acceleration programs focused on environmental sustainability. Its flagship offerings are a 5–6 month Europe program for young innovators aged 18–30 (with annual editions in 2022, 2023, and 2024) and a 3-day Côte d'Ivoire Hackathon for Ivorian entrepreneurs. Selected teams of 2–4 receive coaching, mentoring, expert workshops (including a workshop week in Switzerland), and the chance to pitch at a grand final at Station F in Paris for prizes such as €20,000 in cash, Station F incubation, and a trip with explorer Mike Horn.

Product overview

Pangaea X is a non-profit association founded by explorer Mike Horn that operates two flagship innovation programs: (1) the Europe Program - a 5-6 month intensive incubation program for young European innovators aged 18-30 focused on sustainable development, featuring dedicated coaching, expert workshops, a week-long workshop in Switzerland, and a grand final at Station F in Paris with prize money up to €20,000; and (2) the Côte d'Ivoire Hackathon - a 3-day intensive sustainable innovation event for Ivorian entrepreneurs, with winning teams earning integration into the European program. Additional offerings include an online application platform requiring pitch deck and video submissions, and a 'Share Your Initiative' platform for promoting environmental projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pangaea X Europe Program A 5–6 month intensive innovation incubation program for young European innovators aged 18–30 focused on sustainable development and environmental entrepreneurship. Provides dedicated coaching, expert mentorship across 8 domains (UX, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Innovation, Sustainability, B2B, Entrepreneurship), a workshop week in Switzerland, and a grand final pitch at Station F in Paris with prizes including €20,000 cash, Station F incubation, and a trip with Mike Horn.
• Pangaea X Côte d'Ivoire Hackathon A 3-day sustainable innovation hackathon for young Ivorian entrepreneurs held in Assinie, Côte d'Ivoire. Participants develop projects focused on environmental challenges and pitch before a jury that has included figures such as Fabrice Sawegnon. Winning teams earn integration into the European program and the DISCOVER entrepreneurship program at AGL Group's YIRI Innovation Center in Abidjan.

Quantifiable outcome

• €20,000 cash prize for winning team
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered title sponsor, core and minor.

• MSC Foundationtitle sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe MSC Foundation is the philanthropic foundation of the MSC Group supporting causes in environmental conservation, community support, education, and emergency relief. They are a Title Sponsor of Pangaea X programs.
• AGL Group (Africa Global Logistics)title sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGL is the leading multimodal logistics operator (port, maritime, logistics, and rail) in Africa. They sponsor the Ivory Coast program and provide the YIRI Innovation Center for incubation support.
• Horn Foundationtitle sponsorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Horn Foundation aims to raise awareness of environmental and social issues, implementing field projects to act for the planet and its inhabitants. Founded by Mike Horn's family.
• Station FcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStation F in Paris hosts the grand final events and provides incubation prizes for winning teams, offering 3-month incubation programs in their state-of-the-art facilities.
• YIRI Innovation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYIRI is AGL Group's Regional Innovation Center located in Abidjan, providing physical innovation space and the DISCOVER entrepreneurship program for Ivory Coast winners.
• Aquatis HotelminorOthersPartner providing venue support for Pangaea X events in Switzerland.
• Opaline FactoryminorOthersSwiss partner organization supporting Pangaea X activities.
• Impact Hub LausanneminorOthersInnovation ecosystem partner in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• Domaine de Pra RomanminorOthersVenue partner in Switzerland for Pangaea X events.
• CANON FranceminorOthersProvides video equipment prizes for audience choice and coup de coeur awards at finals.
• ReversedminorOthersProvides 1-year support program for winning teams (alongside Bold Entrepreneur).
• Bold EntrepreneurminorOthersProvides 1-year support program for winning teams (alongside Reversed).
• IBG BS INSEEC Business Consulting ServiceminorOthersAcademic partner providing educational support and connections.
• Solvay Sustainability Business ClubminorOthersAcademic partner focused on sustainability and business education.
• UNICEF Côte d'IvoireminorOthersPartner organization supporting the Ivory Coast hackathon program.
• Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization (Côte d'Ivoire)minorOthersGovernment partner supporting the Ivory Coast hackathon program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme: Pan-African entrepreneurship program providing training, mentorship, and seed capital to African entrepreneurs annually. Comparable in cohort model, mentoring intensity, and Africa-focused expansion, but operates at a larger scale and with a different geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Ashoka: Global non-profit organization supporting leading social entrepreneurs through fellowships and youth programs (including Ashoka Youth Ventures). Comparable in mission and non-profit sponsorship model, but focused on identifying and scaling existing ventures rather than running cohort-based competitions.
• Echoing Green: Established global fellowship and leadership development program for social entrepreneurs. Comparable in mission (sustainability/social impact founders) and non-profit sponsorship model, but focused on a more senior cohort and provides longer-term fellowship funding.

Emerging players

• Solar Impulse Foundation: Swiss-based foundation that identifies and labels clean and profitable solutions, connecting entrepreneurs with partners. Comparable in Swiss base, explorer-founder DNA (Bertrand Piccard), and focus on clean-tech and environmental innovation, though structured as a labeling/partnership platform rather than a cohort program.
• Seedstars: Swiss-headquartered emerging-markets startup competition and accelerator with strong presence in Africa and other developing regions. Comparable as a youth/early-stage founder program with multi-country competition structure and Station F-adjacent Swiss base.
• MakeSense: International non-profit community supporting social entrepreneurs and sustainability innovators, with strong French and European presence. Comparable as a non-profit youth-empowerment platform with focus on environmental and social entrepreneurship, though structured more as an open community than a cohort program.

Direct peers

• Enactus: Global non-profit student organization that runs entrepreneurship programs and competitions addressing the SDGs. Comparable as a non-profit youth entrepreneurship platform with annual competitions, expert mentors, and corporate sponsors across multiple countries.
• Hult Prize: Annual global social entrepreneurship competition and accelerator for university students, focused on UN-aligned themes including sustainability and the environment. Closely comparable in mission, age cohort, cohort-based model, mentorship, and grand-final pitch format.
• ClimateLaunchpad: Global cleantech business idea competition for green entrepreneurs, structured as a multi-country program culminating in a global final. Directly comparable to Pangaea X as a sustainability-themed startup competition for early-stage entrepreneurs with mentoring, coaching, and prize structure.

Others

• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs, including Impact Hub Lausanne (a Pangaea X ecosystem partner). Comparable as a non-profit innovation infrastructure player with environmental and social themes, but operates as a co-working/incubator rather than a competition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/pangaeax.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/pangaea.x
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pangaeax-2022

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pangaea X