Business Accelerator

Overview

The EforAll Accelerator Program is a free year long program that is offered twice a year. The first twelve weeks are dedicated to weekly business classes with content specialists. Additional support is provided for the following nine months. Throughout the year-long program, entrepreneurs are provided with a mentor team, content specialists, the opportunity to receive prize money to support their business(s), and depending on the location, free office space.

At EforAll, we believe that anyone, regardless of background, education, industry, or zip code, should be given the opportunity, resources, and support, to turn their dream of starting a business into a reality.

What Entrepreneurs Can Expect

• Meeting twice a week for three months to participate in intensive business sessions followed by an additional nine months of support.
• Shared knowledge from content specialists in various business areas such as value proposition, fundraising, bookkeeping, pricing, marketing, social media, and branding, etc.
• Opportunity to win seed money from a pool of up to $20,000 in cash prizes. (EforAll requires no fees and takes no equity)
• A team of three Mentors to guide each entrepreneur in taking their idea to the next level
• Joining a cohort of up to 15 entrepreneurs
• Confidence, clarity, and connections
• Becoming a lifelong member of the EforAll community!  

How to Apply

The Accelerator Program is offered twice a year. Applications for the program typically open three to four months prior. Find an upcoming accelerator here, along with a detailed schedule.

If the site nearest you doesn’t have an application posted, email info@eforall.org to find out about the next Accelerator Program.

Interview Process

After applying to the Accelerator Program, your application will be reviewed by a team of EforAll Volunteer Readers. Readers review applications and provide critical feedback to all applicants. Semi-Finalists are then asked to attend an in-person interview at the relevant program location.

Mentor Matching

After you’ve been selected as a Finalist, you will be matched up with your mentor team.  All mentors and entrepreneurs participate in Mentor Matching, a speed dating style event where mentors and entrepreneurs meet each other in person and rank each other based on who they would like to work with. EforAll’s proprietary software tool considers a set of factors such as time availability and personal preferences to ensure that entrepreneurs are matched with the most suited mentors, and vice versa.

What We’re Looking For

Startups of all industries and backgrounds! We work with people who are in the idea stage, with a hobby looking to take it to the next level, or those looking to pivot and grow an existing business.

The Commitment

• We expect entrepreneurs to commit to a minimum of 8 hours a week during the first three months of the program for classes, mentor meetings, and dedicated time to focus on their business. During the following  9 months, mentor meetings are monthly, and the cohort meets once a quarter where additional cash prizes are given.
• During the first 3 months of the Accelerator, entrepreneurs attend classes in person twice a week. Tuesdays from 5:30pm-8:30 pm & Thursdays 11am-1pm, locations may vary.
• Emprendimiento para Todos (EparaTodos), our Spanish language Accelerator Program meets on Wednesdays: 5:30pm-9:00pm, and some Saturdays: 10:00am- 3:00pm. Visit eparatodos.org for more information.
• Entrepreneurs meet with their mentor teams in person for 90 minutes weekly during the first 12 weeks, then for 90 minutes once a month for the remaining 9 months of the program.
• All classes and Mentor meetings are done in person.