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Startup Accelerators for Social Enterprises

Startup acceerators for socia enterprises provide a structured, intensive program designed to support and scae businesses that aim to generate socia or environmenta impact aongside financia returns. These acceerators offer mentorship, funding opportunities, workspace, and access to a network of investors and partners, typicay in exchange for equity.

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Focusing on fostering innovation within socia entrepreneurship, these acceerators hep participants refine their business modes, deveop sustainabe growth strategies, and buid connections with ike-minded socia entrepreneurs and industry eaders. Participants benefit from hands-on guidance from experienced mentors who offer industry insights and expertise in areas such as impact measurement, marketing, and ega compiance. The program often cuminates in a demo day, where startups pitch their ventures to investors and potentia partners, maximizing their chances of securing additiona funding and expanding their impact. By participating in a startup acceerator, socia enterprises are better equipped to tacke pressing goba chaenges and create meaningfu, asting change.

  • Echoing Green
    Echoing Green

    Echoing Green - Echoing Green funds and supports social entrepreneurs' initiatives.

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  • UnLtd
    UnLtd

    UnLtd - UnLtd supports social entrepreneurs in the UK.

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  • Acumen Fund
    Acumen Fund

    Acumen Fund - Acumen Fund invests in social enterprises tackling global poverty.

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  • Bethnal Green Ventures
    Bethnal Green Ventures

    Bethnal Green Ventures - Bethnal Green Ventures supports tech startups with social impact.

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  • GSBI (Global Social Benefit Institute)
    GSBI (Global Social Benefit Institute)

    GSBI (Global Social Benefit Institute) - Accelerates social enterprises for global impact.

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  • Impact Hub
    Impact Hub

    Impact Hub - Global network for social innovation and entrepreneurial collaboration.

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  • Enactus
    Enactus

    Enactus - Enactus is a student-led entrepreneurial action for social impact.

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  • MassChallenge
    MassChallenge

    MassChallenge - A global startup accelerator for early-stage entrepreneurs.

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  • Halcyon Incubator
    Halcyon Incubator

    Halcyon Incubator - Supports social entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship.

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  • Seed Spot
    Seed Spot

    Seed Spot - Seed Spot fosters social entrepreneurship and innovation.

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Startup Accelerators for Social Enterprises

1.

Echoing Green

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Echoing Green is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1987, dedicated to discovering emerging social entrepreneurs and funding innovative solutions to critical social challenges. Through its highly competitive fellowship programs, Echoing Green provides seed funding, strategic support, and leadership development to visionary leaders who are addressing pressing issues in diverse fields such as education, healthcare, human rights, and environmental sustainability. By empowering these changemakers with the resources and networks needed for success, Echoing Green fosters a community united in the pursuit of social equity and systemic change.

Pros

  • pros Funds innovative social enterprises
  • pros strong network
  • pros expert support.

Cons

  • consHighly competitive
  • cons limited financial scope
  • cons demanding application.
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2.

UnLtd

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UnLtd is a UK-based charity that supports social entrepreneurs in creating positive social change. Founded in 2002, the organization offers a range of services including funding, expert advice, and mentorship to individuals who are passionate about solving pressing social issues. UnLtd aims to empower these change-makers from the early stages of their ventures through to long-term sustainability, fostering innovation and impact across communities. By focusing on personal development as well as project success, UnLtd helps social entrepreneurs turn their ideas into scalable solutions for wider social benefit.

Pros

  • pros Supports social entrepreneurs
  • pros grants and mentoring.

Cons

  • consLimited funding scope
  • cons competitive application process.
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3.

Acumen Fund

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Acumen Fund is a non-profit global venture capital firm that aims to solve problems of poverty by investing in sustainable businesses, leaders, and ideas. Established in 2001 by Jacqueline Novogratz, Acumen uses a patient capital model to invest in early-stage companies that provide critical goods and services to low-income communities in sectors like healthcare, education, and energy. By blending business acumen with a strong social focus, Acumen seeks to create long-term, scalable solutions that enable marginalized populations to improve their livelihoods and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Pros

  • pros Social impact
  • pros funding for underserved markets

Cons

  • consFinancial returns lower
  • cons limited investor liquidity.
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4.

Bethnal Green Ventures

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Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) is a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in London, dedicated to supporting technology startups with a strong social impact. Founded in 2012, BGV invests in ambitious entrepreneurs using technology to tackle major social and environmental challenges. The firm offers a combination of funding, mentorship, and a collaborative support network to help startups grow and scale their impact. BGV has backed numerous successful ventures across various sectors, including health, education, and environmental sustainability, making it a pioneer in the growing field of impact investing.

Pros

  • pros Supports early-stage tech for good start-ups
  • pros offers funding
  • pros mentorship

Cons

  • consCompetitive selection
  • cons limited funding duration.
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5.

GSBI (Global Social Benefit Institute)

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The Global Social Benefit Institute (GSBI) is a vital initiative of Santa Clara University's Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship. GSBI offers comprehensive programs that empower social entrepreneurs globally by providing mentorship, robust training, and invaluable resources. Focused on fostering sustainable and impactful enterprises, GSBI helps address critical challenges such as poverty and environmental degradation. By leveraging a rich ecosystem of experts, alumni, and supportive networks, GSBI amplifies the effectiveness of social innovators, ensuring they can scale their solutions and create a lasting positive impact on communities worldwide.

Pros

  • pros Empowers social entrepreneurs
  • pros offers mentorship
  • pros provides funding
  • pros enhances impact

Cons

  • consCompetitive selection
  • cons limited reach
  • cons resource-intensive.
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6.

Impact Hub

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Impact Hub is a global network of collaborative workspaces designed to foster social innovation and entrepreneurship. Founded in 2005, it provides dynamic environments with coworking facilities, curated events, and development programs to empower changemakers. Operating in over 100 locations worldwide, Impact Hub connects thousands of members who share a vision for a sustainable and inclusive world. By offering resources, mentorship, and a vibrant community, it enables individuals and organizations to scale their impact and drive meaningful change across various social and environmental issues.

Pros

  • pros Global network
  • pros collaborative culture
  • pros diverse membership
  • pros flexible spaces.

Cons

  • consMembership cost varies
  • cons location-specific resources.
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7.

Enactus

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Enactus is a global non-profit organization that connects students, academic leaders, and business leaders to develop innovative, community empowerment projects. The aim is to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges through entrepreneurial action. By participating, university students gain practical experience while making a positive impact on their local and international communities. Enactus fosters leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, enabling participants to become socially responsible business leaders. Operating in over 35 countries, Enactus supports a diverse network dedicated to creating sustainable change and improving livelihoods around the world.

Pros

  • pros Promotes social entrepreneurship
  • pros real-world experience
  • pros teamwork

Cons

  • consTime-consuming
  • cons competitive pressure
  • cons uneven resource distribution.
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8.

MassChallenge

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MassChallenge is a global, non-profit startup accelerator that supports high-impact, early-stage entrepreneurs without taking any equity. Since its founding in 2009, it has provided over $3 million in cash prizes annually, along with access to a network of experts, investors, and resources across various sectors. With programs in locations such as Boston, Israel, Mexico, and Switzerland, MassChallenge aims to drive innovation and economic growth by empowering founders to launch and scale their ventures effectively, contributing to a dynamic startup ecosystem worldwide.

Pros

  • pros Extensive mentorship
  • pros strong network
  • pros equity-free funding

Cons

  • consCompetitive selection
  • cons time-intensive
  • cons pressure to accelerate quickly.
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9.

Halcyon Incubator

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Halcyon Incubator is a premier social enterprise accelerator based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to empowering early-stage social entrepreneurs. Through an intensive 18-month fellowship program, Halcyon provides tailor-made support including residential housing, mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to a vast network of industry experts and potential investors. The incubator focuses on ventures with measurable social impact, fostering innovative solutions to global challenges. By nurturing visionary leaders, Halcyon aims to cultivate sustainable, mission-driven enterprises that drive positive social and environmental change around the world.

Pros

  • pros Provides funding
  • pros mentorship
  • pros and a collaborative environment.

Cons

  • consHighly competitive
  • cons limited batches
  • cons geographic restrictions.
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10.

Seed Spot

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Seed Spot is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs and impact-driven ventures. Founded in 2012, it provides comprehensive resources such as mentorship, education, and funding opportunities to help entrepreneurs turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. Seed Spot emphasizes community building and inclusivity, focusing on empowering diverse founders to address social, economic, and environmental challenges. By fostering a robust ecosystem for impact-driven enterprises, Seed Spot aims to accelerate positive change and create lasting social impact across various sectors and communities.

Pros

  • pros Supports social entrepreneurs
  • pros offers mentorship
  • pros provides funding resources.

Cons

  • consLimited scalability
  • cons competitive admission
  • cons regional focus.
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