CivicX Fall 2014 - Economic Opportunity

The Points of Light Civic Accelerator invests in and supports early stage social ventures. In our continuing commitment to experiment and refine our mode, our Fall 2014 program will convene the most innovative ventures across the country focused around a common challenge.

Fall 2014 Challenge: How might we create 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, the 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.

Read the full challenge brief at www.civic-x.org.

How it works:

Over a 12-week period, 10-15 teams will convene for three, 4 day-long sessions in Atlanta, Silicon Valley, and Chicago to connect to and validate new customers, elevate their brands, pitch in front of new audiences, and continually refine their business models. The Civic Accelerator curriculum is based on the principles of the "lean" start-up, design-thinking, and rapid experimentation.

In between the 3 sessions, teams will work in peer groups and with their mentors to connect on a deeper level with their peers and mentors, test and validate customer segments, achieve important seed stage milestones, and apply skills and tools learned in the accelerator in their home markets.

At the end of the program, the two most promising teams (one for-profit and one nonprofit) will receive a $50K investment with a twist - the teams themselves ultimately decide who will receive the investment.

Applicants should confirm their eligibility before applying - www.pointsoflight.org/civic-incubator/civic-accelerator-eligibility

For fall 2014 dates and locations, please visit our visit out website - www.pointsoflight.org/civic-incubator/civic-accelerator-schedule

Questions? Email Megan at mchristenson@pointsoflight.org