SEG kicks off Impact Accelerator program

The Social Enterprise Greenhouse Impact Accelerator program is kicking off its sixth impact accelerator cohort on Jan. 14 featuring ventures ranging from a cloth diaper service to a device that fits on motorcycle taxis used in the developing world.
The Social Enterprise Greenhouse Impact Accelerator program is kicking off its sixth impact accelerator cohort on Jan. 14 featuring ventures ranging from a cloth diaper service to a device that fits on motorcycle taxis used in the developing world.

PROVIDENCE – The Social Enterprise Greenhouse Impact Accelerator program is kicking off its sixth impact accelerator cohort on Jan. 14 featuring ventures ranging from a cloth diaper service to a device that fits on motorcycle taxis used in the developing world.

The event will be held at the SEG Hub, 10 Davol Square, suite 100, from 6 to 8 p.m., and will feature the 11 ventures selected for the program.

Representatives from the ventures will discuss their ideas and their program goals as they begin the 12-week program to bring their enterprise to the next level.

“We received more applications this year than in previous years and the quality of applicants continues to improve,” Social Enterprise Greenhouse Director of Venture Development Emily Wanderer said in a statement. “The final cohort was selected by a committee of business and community leaders based on the feasibility of the venture and potential to achieve sustainable social change.”

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The program was developed in partnership with Brown University; the event is free and open to the community.

SEG’s accelerator program, supported by the Newman’s Own Foundation, city of Providence and Small Business Administration, provides social entrepreneurs with resources they need to grow their enterprises.

After graduating, participants will receive priority access to the SEG loan fund that provides below-market interest rate loans to high-potential social enterprises, according to information from SEG.

Social Enterprise Greenhouse CEO Kelly Ramirez described the accelerator as SEG’s “signature program,” noting that since 2011, it has accelerated 58 social impact ventures, and of that number, “47 are operational, and 24 are scaling and growing their business and impacts, creating 361 jobs as a result.”

This year’s program concludes with a graduation and final pitch event on April 7.

Here are the 11 participating ventures:

  • TrekkLocal, an app and website-based loyalty rewards program developed to promote shopping at both locally owned businesses and donating to community nonprofits.
  • Beat the Streets PVD, which uses co-educational wrestling to engage struggling students after school by connecting them with strong mentors.
  • Sol Chariots Pedicab Cooperative, worker-owned and operated bike business that provides bike taxi, tours, event transportation, delivery and advertising.
  • FabNewport, which says its mission is “to liberate the maker intrinsic in all of us” by using traditional and digital tools to educate and empower.
  • pathidi, which helps people find a career path they love by using interactive tools on a new social-mobile career exploration platform, with the goal of creating happy, engaged employees.
  • Rate It Green, a green building product/service directory, network and peer review source.
  • Level Exchange, which aims to provide musicians and business owners with the tools needed for success by increasing exposure and creating economic stability.
  • Girls Leadership Collaborative Inc., which works with adolescent girls to help develop them as leaders.
  • Nyweza, a device that fits on motorcycle taxis in the developing world, providing storage space and improving safety for side-saddle riders.
  • Mama Blue Diaper Service, a local children’s cloth diaper service.
  • Community Activism Leadership Organization, which connects volunteers to nonprofits, nonprofits to funding and activist network to political representation with the goal of accelerating change.

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