If you’re passionate about making a difference in the world – especially in transforming our broken food system – you’ve probably come across dozens of books, frameworks, and motivational videos. But there’s one simple, powerful concept that can act as your compass as a purpose-driven entrepreneur: the ‘Five Buckets’ from Steven Bartlett’s bestselling book The Diary of a CEO.
Bartlett describes five critical areas that, when consistently worked on, lead to long-term success, satisfaction and significance. These buckets that need to be filled are:
- What You Know (Knowledge)
- What You Can Do (Skills)
- Who You Know (Network)
- What You Have (Resources)
- What the World Thinks of You (Reputation)
Each bucket plays a vital role in shaping your entrepreneurial journey in the long run. The good news? There’s one place that helps you fill all five: the Kickstarting for Good incubation programme by ProVeg International.
If you’re dreaming of launching a nonprofit, social startup, or charitable project that accelerates food system transformation, keep reading. This fully-funded, 15-week hybrid incubation experience could be the game-changing opportunity you’ve been looking for.
1. Fill your knowledge bucket: Learn from the best
Let’s start with the first bucket: What You Know. You might already be bursting with ideas and passion. But to create change at scale, knowledge is essential. This is where Kickstarting For Good excels.
Throughout the programme, you’ll engage with a dynamic curriculum designed to give you a solid intellectual foundation. You’ll explore 20+ crucial topics including:
- How to conduct effective market research and landscape analyses
- The mechanics of building a theory of change
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks that demonstrate your impact
- How to navigate grant writing, fundraising, and communications
- Insights into high-leverage areas like AI in advocacy, meta-charity, and policy change
This isn’t just academic theory. It’s practical, actionable knowledge from mentors and facilitators who have been there and done that.
You’ll finish the programme with a sharper strategic mind and the confidence to make bold, informed decisions.
2. Fill your skills bucket: practice what matters
Knowledge is powerful, but only if you know how to use it. That’s where the second bucket, What You Can Do, comes in.
Through Kickstarting For Good, you won’t just learn about systems change; you’ll practice the core skills it takes to make that change real. These include:
- Pitching your idea with clarity and conviction
- Building your MVP (minimum viable product)
- Crafting a compelling narrative and value proposition
- Leading teams and managing partnerships
- Executing a go-to-market strategy for nonprofits or mission-driven orgs
The programme is designed with workshops, assignments, and feedback loops that push you to act on what you’re learning. You’ll leave each session not just with new insights, but new abilities and often, new habits.
Even if you’ve never launched a project before, you’ll grow into someone who can make it happen, effectively, ethically, and with impact.
3. Fill your network bucket: meet the people who will help you win
Every changemaker knows that who you know can shape your opportunities, speed up your progress, and open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
That’s why Kickstarting For Good goes far beyond mentorship, it’s about building your ecosystem.
You’ll connect with:
- Experienced mentors from the ProVeg Incubator network
- Fellow changemakers from around the globe tackling complementary challenges
- Guest speakers, policy experts, startup founders, and nonprofit leaders
- Investors and funders at the end-of-programme pitch day
This isn’t just networking for the sake of it. It’s about building authentic, mission-aligned relationships that last beyond the 15 weeks.
And because the programme is both online and in-person (including sessions in Berlin, travel and accommodation included), you get the best of both worlds: the global reach of a digital programme and the human magic of face-to-face collaboration.
4. Fill your resources bucket: get the tools you need
Let’s talk about something every founder thinks about: resources.
You may already have an idea, maybe even a prototype, but bringing it to life requires support – financial, technical, strategic. That’s where your fourth bucket, what you have, comes into focus.
Here’s what you get with Kickstarting For Good:
- Up to $5,000 to cover travel, accommodation, and participation
- Office hours and one-on-one support to help solve your specific challenges
- Funding opportunities: The programme ends with a high-stakes Pitch Day, where selected participants can receive between $5,000 to $50,000 in seed funding
- Ongoing access to ProVeg’s resources, toolkits, and future opportunities
This support isn’t just about getting your project off the ground, it’s about building something sustainable. Something that continues to grow long after the programme ends.
5. Fill your reputation bucket: build credibility & visibility
Last but definitely not least is your fifth bucket, What the World Thinks of You.
Whether you like it or not, reputation matters. It affects who trusts you, who funds you, and who joins you. And this is where Kickstarting For Good gives you a big credibility boost.
As part of the ProVeg International ecosystem, you’ll be associated with a globally respected nonprofit known for advancing the transition to a more sustainable, ethical food system. That association gives you:
- A badge of credibility that strengthens your pitch to funders
- Exposure in press releases, newsletters, and social media
- Invitations to speak at events and share your work publicly
- A permanent spot in the K4G alumni network
Graduates from previous cohorts have gone on to launch initiatives like the AVA (Animal & Vegan Advocacy) Summit, the Farm Adaptation Network, and innovative new charities backed by renowned funders in the field of food system transformation.
By joining Kickstarting For Good, you position yourself not just as a founder, but as a leader in a growing movement.
Conclusion: fill all five buckets with one bold step
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt the pull. The pull to do something meaningful. To be part of the solution. To create what the world desperately needs.
You don’t need to figure it out alone.
The Kickstarting For Good incubation programme is designed for people exactly like you: passionate, values-driven future founders who want to create lasting impact in the food system.
And the beauty is, it doesn’t just help you in one area. It helps you fill all five buckets that Steven Bartlett outlines:
✅ Knowledge to understand your mission
✅ Skills to bring your vision to life
✅ Network to accelerate your journey
✅ Resources to build sustainably
✅ Reputation to be taken seriously
If you’re serious about launching a nonprofit, social enterprise, or charity that will leave the world better than you found it, then apply today. The deadline for the next cohort is April 30, 2025.
The world needs your idea. Let’s help you bring it to life.