The Mountain Solutions Accelerator (MSA) identifies and supports Solutions that:
- Innovatively advance a regenerative mountain sports and tourism economy
- Protect and restore the mountain ecosystems
- Reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions
- Contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)
Selection process and support
- SOURCING OF SOLUTIONS & PIPELINE
- Our 2026 call for Solutions has the objective to select 3-5 candidates for the 2nd cohort of the MSA
- The selection process is supported by a jury of scientific and business experts made of SMA mentors
- In 2024, 3 startups were selected for the first cohort of the MSA
- CONTINUOUS SOLUTIONS SUPPORT
- Investor readiness & fundraising support
- SMA Team 1:1 Quarterly support
- Mentorship Support
- Access to SMA’s members and partners
- Thought leadership and media exposure
- NETWORKS
- MSA Solutions Network (3 Solutions)
- MSA Mentors network : 10+ individuals onboarded
- MSA Investors Network : 250+ engaged investors and Venture Capitalists
Impact verticals
Solutions are sourced across 6 impact verticals, all contributing to sustainable sport and tourism in the mountains
Clean Energy and Air : Carbon (CO2eq) avoidance and removal
Waste reduction and the circular economy
Water Preservation
Mountain Biodiversity and Ecosystem protection and regeneration
Mountain People – Culture, Heritage, Employment and Engagement
Science, Research and Data
Solutions application form
Are you interested in being listed as a Solution that can benefit from the support of the Accelerator ? Please click here to complete the application form.
Mentor application form
Are you interested in supporting us as a Mentor? You’re a passionate individual with a deep desire to make an impact by sharing your expertise and knowledge with the Accelerator’s community of like-minded entrepreneurs and solutionists. Please click here to complete the application form.
Previous projects
2024
The following solutions have been carefully selected by an expert scientific, institutional, expert jury of SMA mentors through a detailed and recurring selection process.
Congratulations to our first cohort of solutions!
Premium ski apparel rental in the Swiss Alps.
Cirkel Supply is emits 76% less CO2 than a linear sales eq.; Cirkel’s rental service will avoid 1.6M kg CO2 in Switzerland by 2027; By 2027, Cirkel will create at least 15x jobs and help 300+ hotels and tourism partners lower the impact of their guests’ trip
Dimpora makes waterproof, highly breathable membranes based on sustainable materials. No PFCs – no forever chemicals.
You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST) is a travel assistant service improves audience experience and accessibility, whilst reducing the disproportionate carbon footprint created by travel. The solution is highly configurable and scalable to solve specific mobility challenges in the mountains faced across sports and cultural events, local authorities and transport sectors by overlaying ski lift data, public transport mapping and other complex data fields
2023
Sports for nature challenge
The Sports for Nature Challenge 2023 called on innovative solutions that promote and enhance biodiversity conservation, with an actual or potential link with sport. Invitation was particularly extended to solutions relevant to the mountain environment, home to more than 85% of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, far exceeding the species diversity of the lowland and seriously affected by climate change.
See the finalists here: THE SPOT – Sports for Nature
2022
Air quality & sport challenge
The 2022 Air Quality Challenge identified initiatives that demonstrate creativity and innovation in contributing to clean air in the mountains and that can serve as sustainable solutions for the alpine sport and tourism industries.
Solutions were called on that:
- Measure and mitigate the effect of poor air quality on athletes
- Clean polluted air and / or reduce air pollution
- Rethink mobility
The impact air quality has on athletes, events, organisers, and spectators has become a growing concern across the sports industry and across the globe in recent years. The issue is larger than any one organisation and can only be addressed through collaboration, commitment and determination across industries.
See the winners here: The SMA, Thinksport and the SSL reveals Air Quality & Sport Challenge winners – Sustainable Mountain Alliance