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Business Accelerator

Program Overview

The EforAll Accelerator Program is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in each of our communities. This program offers a unique combination of immersive business training, mentorship, and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business or nonprofit is encouraged to apply.

The program is also offered in Spanish in many of our communities. Leer en español.

Primary Benefits

  • Absolutely no cost to participate. 
  • Cohort model featuring up to 15 entrepreneurs per class facilitates collaboration and teamwork. 
  • Practical, intensive sessions with content specialists cover critical early-stage business challenges (i.e. value proposition, fundraising, bookkeeping, pricing, social media). 
  • Opportunity to win seed money each quarter.
  • Open to all individuals in and around the communities EforAll serves
  • A team of three dedicated Mentors to guide each entrepreneur to take the business idea to the next level.
  • Proven ability to provide entrepreneurs with increased confidence, clarity, and connections.
  • Lifelong membership in the EforAll community!

How It Works

EforAll’s year-long Accelerator Program is broken into two distinct phases:

During the first three months:

  • Entrepreneurs attend classes as part of a “cohort” (up to 15 other entrepreneurs) taught by content specialists twice a week. Classes will be a mix of online and in-person.
  • Entrepreneurs meet online with their very own team of three Mentors for 90 minutes every week to help guide them in taking their idea to the next level.
  • At the end of three months, an in-person Showcase and Celebration event is held for entrepreneurs to celebrate their Accelerator Program accomplishments with friends, family, and the community.
  • Total weekly time commitment is 8-10 hours, including 5 hours of classes, 1.5 hours of online mentor meetings, and additional time to work on your business.

For the remaining nine months:

  • Entrepreneurs meet online with their mentor teams once a month for 90 minutes
  • Entrepreneurs meet with their cohort teams once per quarter.

Throughout the year-long program, there are quarterly opportunities to receive small cash prizes.

Who Should Apply

The Accelerator Program is open to all individuals located in or near an EforAll community and is offered at no cost.

EforAll’s program works with individuals across a wide range of industries and it is open to people who are still in the idea stage, people with a hobby looking to take it to the next level, or those looking to pivot and grow an existing business or nonprofit.

The Application Process

Applications typically accepted up to six months prior to each community’s Accelerator Program start date. Applicants submit their application online via the EforAll app.

Applications must be submitted 3-4 weeks prior to program start date.

All applications are reviewed by a team of EforAll Volunteer Readers who will provide helpful feedback to all applicants.

EforAll selects applicants for an in-person interview at a convenient community location and will choose final cohort candidates within 7-10 days from interview.

Entrepreneurs selected to be in the program will have a team of three mentors. Mentors are volunteers with a wide range of business experience who are committed to helping entrepreneurs move forward with their business idea. Entrepreneurs are paired with their mentors through a fun and fast-paced Mentor Matching event where everyone has the opportunity to meet and rank who they are most interested in working with. EforAll’s proprietary software tool uses the rankings along with schedule availability to create the teams.

Upcoming Accelerators

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

Upcoming Accelerators

FAQs

A: You should live in or near the community where the program is being offered, even if it is held virtually. 

A: You are a good fit for EforAll if you can answer yes to these questions!

  • Are you looking to launch a business or move your business forward?
  • Are you interested in practical, hands-on learning and coaching with a group of other entrepreneurs like you?
  • Are you open to constructive criticism to benefit your business?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you should be a good fit. Our staff is always happy to speak with you about your business before you apply.

A: EforAll is interested in ideas from all industries – including nonprofits.

A: A business plan is not required. You just need to show us your passion, dedication, and indicate that you’ve done some initial research.

A: One co-founder should serve as the point person and commit to attending all classes, mentor meetings and events. If other co-founder(s) can join for some meetings, it is helpful but not required. For the initial interview, it is ideal if all founders are present if possible.