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Accelerator

A springboard for early-stage enterprises.

The Accelerator is a 6-month, hands-on program comprising 100+ hours of applied learning. The Accelerator is designed to help leaders from employment social enterprises increase their revenue and impact while strengthening their employee support services. Two people from each enterprise are invited to apply to work in collaboration alongside peers to learn and implement best practices. Each accepted pair of leaders represents their enterprise as they work with the peer cohort on current challenges and network with coaches and consultants in the field.

Upon successful completion of the Accelerator program, leadership teams walk away with an implementation plan, inclusive of strategies and prototypes to increase their enterprise’s financial sustainability, grow the number of people employed, and strengthen their programmatic supports. Upon successful completion of the program, ESEs are awarded a $40,000 unrestricted grant for our 2025 cohort, to begin applying these learnings, and gain access to REDF’s Community of 200+ employment social enterprises from around the country.

How to Apply        Accelerator Fact Sheet

100%

of leaders feel a sense of support

100%

of leaders feel a sense of belonging and inclusion

80%

of leaders have built social capital

What to Expect from the Accelerator

Learn about the curriculum. Have questions? View the FAQ.

01

Get comfortable with experimentation

Hone the ability to develop and test ideas to advance your business model and increase your program impact.

02

Learn alongside peers and coaches

Work with your cohort on current challenges and network with coaches and consultants in the field.

03

Implement solutions in real time

Bring tools and frameworks back to your enterprise for real-time implementation and share your lessons learned with the cohort.

04

Tactical & Leadership Coaching

Get coaching from consultants and REDF staff.

01

Get comfortable with experimentation

Hone the ability to develop, test, and iterate ideas around developing your business model and increasing your program impact.

02

Learn alongside peers and coaches

Work with your cohort on current challenges and network with coaches and consultants in the field.

03

Implement solutions in real time

Bring tools and frameworks back to your enterprise for real-time implementation and share your lessons learned with the cohort.

04

Tactical & Leadership Coaching

Get coaching from consultants and REDF staff.

Great Businesses, Accelerated

Hundreds of ESE leaders have participated. Meet our latest cohort:

I tell every person how much the Accelerator did to grow me as a professional and equip our business to identify the road ahead to improve and scale.
This is a phenomenal program. Every business area was covered and the additional support that's offered outside of the program is icing on the cake.
This has all around been the best experience of my professional career. I think the resources REDF offers, particularly related to capacity building, are invaluable.
REDF has provided tools to empower me as a leader, and a network of individuals I now can consider friends who will have my back moving forward. REDF’s approach is leading with a heart-first, mind-second mentality, and this was reflected in every workshop I attended. Thank you for the opportunity. It has been life changing.
This experience with REDF is exactly what my organization needs to get to the next level. I have learned so much. I appreciate the educational tools and realness among the cohort. The wisdom has been RICH!

Spencer HathcockDevelopment & Strategy Specialist, Neighbor to Neighbor

Michael HollingsworthFounder, NuWay Staffing

Kim HueyDirector of Operations, Turn90

Melissa DeVosOperations Manager, Zero Waste Silicon Valley

Sable BarberProgram Director, Project Real Life Occupational Training Corps

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Accelerator Team