Deadline: 21 October 2014
The leaders of social enterprises including non-profits, for-profits and hybrids whose organizations are addressing the world’s most pressing problems with market-based solutions are invited to participate in GSBI (Global Social Benefit Institute) Accelerator program. The GSBI Accelerator program aims to prepare the business of participants for investment so her/his impact can be scaled up. Potential participants are the leaders from organizations whose primary beneficiaries are living below the poverty line.
The ten month GSBI Accelerator program will begin on February and continue till November.
Program Details
- February-May 2015 – Mentored, online work. Entrepreneurs and mentors go through several modules aimed at strengthening the business and improving the business plan.
- June 2015 – Entrepreneurs who complete the mentored online work and demonstrate that their enterprises is ready for the August in-residence program will be invited to Phase II. Those who do not meet the criteria will work out a plan with GSBI to join a future GSBI cohort.
- July 2015 – Final mentored, online work to prepare for August in-residence.
- August 2015 – In-residence at Santa Clara University. The entrepreneurs develop the implementation plan for scaling their enterprises.
- September – November 2015 – Mentors continue to offer support as the entrepreneurs implement their plans to scale.
The social enterprises leaders must serve the underserved in terms of economics, gender, geography to fight against unequal access to energy, clean water, information and communication technology, education, health, or economic development and livelihood opportunities.
Note the Key Dates
- 21 October 2014 – Application deadline
- 3-14 November – Interviews (40 semifinalists will be invited for interview)
- 19 November – Up to 20 finalists will be selected and notified. These finalists will participate in the mentoring program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must place equal or greater emphasis on social impact vs. financial return.
- Applicants must be leaders of social enterprises that serve the underserved.
- The social enterprise address a problem that affects more than one million people worldwide and have a product or service with measurable social impact.
- The social entrepreneur must be committed to creating an organization that is capable of attending financial sustainability; reaches increasingly larger numbers of beneficiaries; and measures systematically their social impact.
- Proposed program must have demonstrated impact in base of pyramid communities; validated business model; and proven technology, product or service.
- Proposed program must be operational for at least two years at the time of application.
For more information, please visit GSBI Accelerator Program. Remember to check the Application Resource Guide before beginning with the application.
