A Catalyst for Innovation Careers
From 2019-2022, UNDP hired close to 300 people within 91 Accelerator Labs across the globe, drawing talent from remarkably diverse backgrounds - many of them entirely new to the UN system. These professionals came from prestigious academic institutions like Cambridge and Oxford, established NGOs including Oxfam and the Gates Foundation, government agencies, private sector companies like Microsoft and Deloitte, and various civil society organizations.
As the Labs continue to evolve and transition their approaches while remaining active in their innovation work, a crucial question emerged: what happened to those who have moved on from their initial Labs positions? To understand the lasting impact of the Accelerator Labs experience, we reached out to 95 alumni who had held key positions as Head of Exploration, Head of Experimentation, or Head of Solutions Mapping across 65 countries.
Through comprehensive surveys and LinkedIn profile analysis, we sought to understand not just where they are now, but how their tenure at UNDP Accelerator Labs fundamentally influenced their career trajectories and whether the innovation methodologies they learned continued to shape their professional paths in the development sector and beyond.
The UNDP Accelerator Labs network has emerged as a powerful catalyst for career transformation in the development sector, creating a new generation of innovation-focused professionals who are reshaping how we approach sustainable development challenges.
Alumni continue applying innovation methodologies in their post-Labs careers with an average relevance score of 4.06/5
28 professionals relocated internationally to join the Labs, with 60% remaining in host countries
Alumni successfully transitioned across multiple sectors while maintaining innovation focus
30% of professionals from non-sustainable development backgrounds converted to SD-focused roles
The UNDP Accelerator Labs attracted talent from an exceptionally diverse range of sectors, creating a rich tapestry of experience and expertise that became one of the network's greatest strengths.
One of the most striking aspects was the international mobility demonstrated by incoming alumni. 28 professionals relocated internationally to take on their Labs positions, demonstrating remarkable commitment to the innovation mandate.
The following interactive diagram illustrates the career flows of 95 Accelerator Labs alumni, showing their remarkable career evolution and diverse pathways while maintaining innovation focus.
Matias exemplifies the Labs' power to transform academic excellence into entrepreneurial impact. His research background, combined with Labs methodologies, enabled him to co-found Cosysense, a cleantech startup focused on AI-driven energy efficiency.
Viviana leveraged her experience in innovation financing and Labs methodologies to create Bolivia's first corporate-backed business accelerator, representing the multiplication effect of Labs training.
Diego's trajectory shows the Labs' role in developing internal UNDP innovation capacity. His academic foundation, combined with country-level Labs experience, positioned him perfectly for regional strategy roles.
Tshoki's transition represents the Labs' power to bridge government experience with academic rigor. Her work at Oxford's OPHI continues advancing evidence-based approaches to development.
Yerassyl's career shows how Labs experience translates into high-impact roles in global technology companies. His combination of consulting skills and Labs innovation methodologies made him valuable for navigating complex policy landscapes.
The UNDP Accelerator Labs network has proven to be far more than an innovation initiative - it has become a transformative career development platform that is reshaping the development sector's approach to talent and innovation.
4.06/5 average relevance score demonstrates successful capability building
Alumni transitioned to senior roles across sectors while maintaining innovation focus
International mobility created local capacity while alumni influence multiple countries
30% conversion rate from non-SD to SD-focused roles shows effective talent development
95.5% continued engagement interest creates lasting institutional value
24.7% internal advancement rate strengthens UNDP's innovation capabilities
As we look toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the Labs alumni represent a critical asset: a global network of innovation-enabled professionals positioned throughout the development ecosystem, equipped with the skills, mindsets, and connections needed to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and equitable world.