Social Innovation Incubator 2022
Empowering entrepreneurs who identify as women and people of color to develop their social venture ideas here in North Texas.
What is the Social Innovation Incubator Program?
For the second year running, the Social Innovation Incubator will focus on the historical opportunity and resource gaps to address systemic racial and gender inequities in the social innovation sector in North Texas
This incubation program will provide early-stage social ventures, all led and staffed by women and people of color, with organizational and leadership development skills. The selected entrepreneurs will work on implementing new creative solutions to the most pressing problems facing North Texans in the areas of education, income, and health.
Why participate?
your own executive summary
You will work on your business step by step while generating a validated business plan and executive summary of your own venture. You will be able to download the PDF version to later present it in front of investors, other cofounders, etc.
personalized mentoring
You’ll be partnered with a professional who will provide personalized coaching to develop your venture and grow your entrepreneurship leadership.
Seed Funding
Upon completing the program, the ventures will receive $2,500 and select participants will be eligible to compete in a pitch competition for additional funding.
Anytime, Anywhere
Thanks to our online platform you will be able to learn, collaborate, and grow your venture from anywhere at any time.
Proven Methodology
You will learn by doing with an approach inspired by MIT's Disciplined Entrepreneurship. More than 2900 entrepreneurs from 120+ countries have gone through this methodology.
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Network
Ventures and individuals that complete this program will be positioned to access financial, human, and social capital through future United Way of Metropolitan Dallas programs.
We are looking for entrepreneurs who identify as women and people of color who:
- Have an idea or an early-stage social venture (either non-profit or for-profit) that is addressing a critical problem in North Texas in the areas of Health, Education, or Income
- Would benefit from developing a 3-year growth and financial plan and receiving personalized leadership coaching
- Can dedicate 6-8 hours per week during 4 months and are committed to completing the program
- Have a reliable internet connection
- Are based in and serving the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas geographic service area: Dallas County, Collin County, Rockwall County, Southern Denton County
- Are interested in developing a long-term partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for program and funding opportunities
We are looking for entrepreneurs who identify as women and people of color who:
- Have an idea or an early-stage social venture (either non-profit or for-profit) that is addressing a critical problem in North Texas in the areas of Health, Education, or Income
- Would benefit from developing a 3-year growth and financial plan and receiving personalized leadership coaching
- Can dedicate 6-8 hours per week during 4 months and are committed to completing the program
- Have a reliable internet connection
- Are based in and serving the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas geographic service area: Dallas County, Collin County, Rockwall County, Southern Denton County
- Are interested in developing a long-term partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for program and funding opportunities
This was their experience participating in the Social Innovation Incubator.
Now it’s your turn!
last year's entrepreneurs' impact and development
0%
Will continue working in their ventures
0%
Of the ventures said the program has been useful, important or critical for their business
The deadline to apply is in…
July 23rd, 2022
You can also learn more about the program by attending one of our info sessions
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Entrepreneurs Selection
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Bridge for Billions will review the applications and select the ventures to participate.
Onboarding Session
Bridge for Billions will invite you to participate in an information session to welcome you to the incubation program. In this space, we will cover the role of the participants, the role of your mentor, the use of the incubation platform that will help you work on your business, and much more!
Mentors and Entrepreneurs Match
You will take part in our matching process! You will have the opportunity to meet online with local volunteer mentors. Once you have met several of them, both you and the mentors will submit your rankings in order to let us know who you think will be the best fit for your project's needs. Based on the rankings, we will make the best mentor-mentee pairs and, afterwards, entrepreneur and mentor pairs will be formalized.
the Incubation Program Begins!
- You will meet weekly with your mentor during your one-to-one sessions while working on the platform and its eight business modules. You’ll refine your value proposition and finish the program with an executive summary of your venture.
- You will attend eight online checkpoints given by an expert, to work on the skills needed to grow as an entrepreneur. During these sessions, you will also be able to meet the rest of the founders.
THE METHODOLOGY
The Incubation Program, powered by Bridge for Billions, offers a gamified, step-by-step experience that allows you to validate your business model and develop your own executive summary (that you can later use to present in front of investors, other co-founders, etc.).
Thanks to Bridge for Billions’ methodology and platform you will test your business idea, while your mentor provides personalized support during the mentoring sessions, challenging your assumptions and offering a fresh perspective.
Ready to start?
Frequently Asked Questions
Not a cent! This is a free program provided by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.
The more time you’re able to put in, the better the results. We’ve structured the program so that you should be able to complete all activities within 6-8 hours per week (including an hour-long video call with your mentor). Note that if you have a business partner, you can divide the work.
If you can’t commit to at least 6 hours per week for 3½ months, this may not be the program for you.
We advise you to have a laptop or desktop computer and preferably one of these browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox. However, our platform is also suitable for cell phones.
Also, we expect you to have a stable and reliable internet connection for your work on the platform and to participate in the calls with your mentor and the rest of the program sessions.
Once accepted into the program, you’ll enter the Matching Phase, which lasts around 20-25 days. During that time, basic information about your project will be accessible to our community of mentors, who will invite you to initial meetings so you can get to know each other.
You can attend as many meetings as you want, but eventually you’ll have to choose your preferred mentor (they will also choose their preferred project to work with). And based on these preferences you will be matched with a mentor!
Your mentor is your guide throughout the program — someone who understands the intricacies of your business. Week after week, your mentor will help you validate your strategy and design your growth plan. Mentors support you within the platform and meet with you once a week (typically using video calls).
Yes! If you are working with business partners, you can all participate in the program. Only one representative from your team should apply. Once selected, you will be able to easily invite your teammates to join your project.
Protecting your intellectual property is extremely important to us. Your application and program data are confidential. Both you and your intellectual property are protected by our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Your mentor will also sign a Mentorship Agreement that includes a confidentiality clause.
Can’t find your question here?
Submit a question or request an introductory call with Jasmine Hillman, the Program Manager for the Social Innovation Incubator.
Do you need technical
help with your application?
If you are experiencing tech-related issues with your application, let us know and we will help you.
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