Startup incubators and accelerator programs appear to be the latest rage!
http://www.forbes.com/sites/altruhelp/2012/10/17/new-civic-accelerator-galvanizes-social-entrepreneurship-impact-investing/
New Civic Accelerator Galvanizes Social Entrepreneurship & Impact Investing Mathew Paisner, Contributor Startup incubators and accelerator programs appear to be the latest rage! You may have heard about one of the programs supporting entrepreneurs in a major city near you like TechStars, Y-Combinator, or MassChallenge (a personal favorite). Yet with all the hype and buzz about social entrepreneurship, few of these programs are entirely dedicated to scaling social impact and helping social ventures succeed.This week, ten ventures will be selected to become the first class of the civic program receiving seed investments of $10,000 and the chance to win additional larger seed investments at the end of the Civic Accelerator. Check out the 20 finalists below and learn how these entrepreneurs are planning to change the world. In the words of social entrepreneurship pioneer andAshoka founder, Bill Drayton, “The more eyes we have on society’s problems–and opportunities–the better our chances of coming up with viable solutions.”
Meet The Finalists:
AltruHelp – An enterprise software solution & online community to increase volunteerism & millennial civic engagement. @AltruHelp
AmpleHarvest – A one-of-a-kind nationwide solution to hunger — using technology to connect growers with excess produce to nearby food pantries eager to receive it. @AmpleHarvest
BOULD – Education company connecting professionals/students with real world building projects, providing the experience necessary for green careers. @be_Bould
CareerVillage – Technology to make it easy for working professionals to provide career information and advice directly to students by answering their career questions. @CareerVillage
Generation Citizen – Strengthens our nation’s democracy by empowering young people to become engaged and effective citizens. @GenCitizen
GivingPoint – Mobilizes young people in their journey to learn about and take action to address critical problems in their communities. @GivingPoint
Givkwik – GivKwik Inc. is a mobile, web and API platform that inspires more impulsive philanthropy. We make it easy, fun and social to give more with less! @GivKwik
Grandmentor – Connects seniors and youth via Skype in a mutually beneficial relationship to promote successful aging and improve literacy.
HopeMob – Unites generous strangers together to rally behind stories of people with pressing needs. @hope
Lend Street – Provides a social lending platform that helps distressed debtors get a low interest loan from investors to settle existing debt with their creditors. @LendStreet
Moneythink – Uses customized curricula and college volunteers to make financial decision-making and career planning practical, relevant and fun for urban 11th and 12th graders. @Moneythink
MyMaryland – Makes it easy for citizens to connect with their elected officials. It’s democracy’s first 24/7 online town hall. @MyMaryland_net
The New American Tavern – Strengthening communities by creating vibrant welcoming social spaces for people who care about public affairs, local issues and social change. @NewAmerTavern
One Degree – Connects low-income families to poverty-fighting resources with “Yelp for nonprofit and governmental services” and resource desks in schools. @1Deg
ShoutAbout – An engagement tool for news sites to answer the question “what’s next?” for people right after they read compelling news or commentary.
Smallknot – Helps small businesses to crowdfund capital through community by harnessing local and social networks. @smallknot
TurboVote – Making voting easier and simpler, so more people can vote in more elections. @TurboVote
UBELONG – Aims to mainstream international civic engagement through high-impact and affordable volunteering and educational opportunities. @Ubelong_Tweet
Wikisway – Gives people the ability to explore, validate, and share the connections between people, places, and things, that most influence their lives. @Wikisway
Youtopia – Web and mobile application where employees, students, and volunteers earn rewards for their good deeds, academic achievements, and community service. @YoutopiaNow
See on forbes.com
