5 Days Left to Apply for Fall 2014 Civic Accelerator

Here are 5 reasons to apply to the Points of Light Civic Accelerator, which invests in and supports seed stage social ventures that solve pressing social and environmental issues by engaging people.

5. New Challenge with a New Focus

How might we develop new pathways and increase access to economic opportunity for all?

Together with the PwC Charitable Foundation, the Starbucks Foundation, SAP and the Committee for Children New Mission Ventures Fund and Hilton Worldwide, the Points of Light Civic Accelerator is seeking innovative social ventures that are working to create greater, more accessible pathways to economic opportunity in communities across the U.S.

The potential solutions are many. From interventions in early childhood education and veteran re-entry, to financial literacy and 21^st century skills development, we are interested in exploring a range of solutions and approaches together. We're looking for innovative technologies, platforms, and other models that create positive economic outcomes for the communities in which they operate. 

4. New Cities

The 12 week startup boot camp will convene for three, in-person, weeklong sessions, in addition to undergoing the virtual curriculum. Each session is focus on a specific in startup development and includes an opportunity to present your venture in front of a local audience concluding with Demo Night during session 3.

Session 1     Oct. 6-9         Atlanta, GA

Session 2     Nov. 17-21    Silicon Vally, CA (alongside Social Innovation Summit)

Session 3     Dec. 15-19    Chicago, IL

3. New Partner – Committee for Children

The Committee for Children (CFC), the nation’s leading non-profit provider of social-emotional curricula, has teamed up with the Civic Accelerator to find and support innovative ventures in social-emotional learning during the fall 2014 program. CFC is partnering under the auspices of its New Mission Ventures Department, which is dedicated to expanding CFC’s mission of fostering the social and emotional development, safety and well-being of children. The Seattle based nonprofit is most known for the award-winning Second Step program, teaching social-emotional skills to prevent bullying, violence, and abuse and improve academics. Their curricula are used in over 25,000 schools across the United States and around the world. To learn more, go to www.cfchildren.org.

2. Chance at $50,000 Investment

At the conclusion of the Civic Accelerator program, two teams (one for-profit and one nonprofit) will be selected to receive $50,000 investments each, with the decision being made by the entrepreneurs themselves. What would $50,000 mean for your civic venture?

1. Join a National Network of Civic Entrepreneurs

The Civic Accelerator curriculum in and of itself holds enough value to justify your application, however it’s the people – the entrepreneurs, mentors and partners that really make the Civic Accelerator such a unique and transformational experience. Connecting with likeminded individuals from across the country, building meaningful and lasting relationships to help grow your business is what it’s all about. Apply now and join the CivicX family.