Ready to go?

The Accelerator accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis. The Accelerator will run one cohort in 2025 and will begin accepting applications August 15, 2024.

The stages of our application cycle are:

To access the Accelerator application, all applicant pairs must first complete REDF’s program interest form. You will be contacted by a member of our Outreach team if there are any questions.

You can also reach out directly to our team at connect@redf.org to learn more.

Upon confirmed eligibility after submitting interest form, interested applicants will receive access to the Accelerator application.

The following components can help an application stand out:

  • Business Model: The enterprise has a clear product or service they sell through a compelling business model, with a stable customer base; and the enterprise is in a strong position operationally and financially.
  • Employee Success Program: The enterprise provides training and wraparound supports (in addition to a job) to help employees move up.
  • Leadership: The team of leaders has a thoughtful and realistic plan to grow the enterprise’s earned revenue and social impact and is excited about the potential to learn and grow in community with others.
  • Organizational Capacity: Both leaders have a professional support team to rely upon to ensure they are fully present throughout our program.

Our Application Toolkit and Webinar on Selection provide more tips on our process.

  • Once your team submits your application, each team member will receive a separate email to complete the demographic data form.
  • This form is a discrete step in the written application so each leader can report their own demographic data and maintain privacy.
  • Once each member of your team submits the form your team has completed all steps of the Accelerator application. 
  • If the Accelerator team has no additional questions about your application they will reach out (typically within two weeks) to set up an interview. Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis.
  • All qualified applicants will be invited to an interview (typically 60 minutes long) which centers on your long-term vision for your social enterprise.  The two leaders from the enterprise who will be participating in the Accelerator will be expected to participate in the interview together.
  • In preparation, give thought to what brings you to this work and where you hope your enterprise will be in three years; and be ready to explain how your business and employment models work in detail. All interview questions are outlined here. 

The Accelerator team will send frequent updates on your application status throughout the process. Your team will receive a notification of final decision on your application status by mid-November.

If accepted into the Accelerator, your team will be offered a placement into our 2025 cohort.