2016 Impact Accelerator Launch Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2016 Impact Accelerator Kicks Off on 1/14

Eleven social ventures carefully selected by Social Enterprise Greenhouse will embark on a 12-week business development journey to bring their enterprise to the next level.

Providence, Rhode Island (January, 6 2016)The Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) Impact Accelerator program will launch its 6th Impact Accelerator cohort with a celebration on January 14, 2016 at the SEG Hub (10 Davol Square, Suite 100, Providence) from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The 11 ventures selected for the program will introduce their ventures and their program goals, and the community will celebrate them and the commencement of the 12-week program, developed and delivered in partnership with Brown University. The event is free and open to the community.

The Social Enterprise Greenhouse Accelerator program, supported by the Newman’s Own Foundation, City of Providence and the Small Business Administration (SBA), is a 12-week blended learning model that provides high impact social entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to accelerate the growth of their enterprises. The program is instructed by a network of 150+ coaches and advisors, many of whom are among Rhode Island’s top business and community leaders. Additional value is provided by 1-on-1 intensive coaching, a peer cohort model, and access to SEG’s recently opened coworking space at 10 Davol Square, Providence. Upon graduation, participants will receive priority access to the SEG loan fund that provides below market interest rate loans to high potential social enterprises.

The purpose of the program is to help create more successful, sustainable do well do good businesses in Rhode Island and the region, leading to more social good.

“The Accelerator is our signature program,” said Social Enterprise Greenhouse CEO, Kelly Ramirez. “Since 2011 we have accelerated 58 social impact ventures, of these, 47 are operational, and 24 are scaling and growing their business and impacts, creating 361 jobs as a result.”

In August 2015, SEG received national recognition through an award from the SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund. Additionally, SEG was commissioned by an Ohio non-profit to license and consult on the replication of their blended learning Accelerator program, which resulted in increased social impact and earned revenue for SEG.

“We received more applications this year than in previous years and the quality of applicants continues to improve,” said Social Enterprise Greenhouse Director of Venture Development, Emily Wanderer. The final cohort was selected by a committee of business and community leaders based on the feasibility of the venture and potential to achieve sustainable social change.”

This year’s Impact Accelerator program will conclude with a graduation and final pitch event on April 7th.

MEET THE 2016 IMPACT ACCELERATOR COHORT

TrekkLocal

TrekkLocal is an app and website based loyalty and rewards program developed to incentivize both shopping at locally owned business and donating to community non-profits.      

Beat the Streets PVD

Beat the Streets uses co-educational wrestling to engage struggling students after-school by connecting them to strong mentors, providing them academic support and also incentivizing attendance.

Sol Chariots Pedicab Cooperative

Sol Chariots Pedicab Cooperative is a worker-owned and operated bike-based business that provides bike taxi, tours, event transportation, delivery, and advertising. Sol functions horizontally, giving a voice to all workers in the cooperative.

FabNewport

FabNewport’s mission is to liberate the maker intrinsic in all of us. They use digital and traditional tools to educate and empower.

pathidi

pathidi helps people find a career path they’ll love using interactive tools on a new social–mobile career exploration platform, with the goal of creating happy and engaged employees.

Rate It Green

Rate It Green is a green building product/service directory, network and peer review resource. Rate It works to connect green builders everywhere, to make it easier to find and validate green building products and services and to expand access to information about sustainable building.

Level Exchange

Level Exchange stands at the intersection of arts and commerce. Business is an art, and art is a business – our platform aims to provide musicians and business owners with the tools needed for success by increasing exposure and creating economic stability. Our goal is to generate positive experiences by connecting musicians and business owners.

Girls Leadership Collaborative

GLC is a leadership development organization through the lens of service learning. We work with adolescent girls, in a multitude of programs, to develop as leaders, find their passion and make a difference in their communities.

Nyweza

Nyweza is a device which fits on motorcycle taxis in the developing world, providing storage space and greatly improving safety for side saddle riders.

Mama Blu Diaper Service

Mama Blu Diaper Service is a local children’s cloth diaper service that provides quality cloth diapers weekly to families within our service area.

Community Activism Leadership Organization

CALO is a community connecting volunteers to nonprofits, nonprofits to funding, and our activist network to political representation with the goal of accelerating change.