Social Innovation Incubator
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?
The Social Innovation Incubator designed to address historical opportunity and resource gaps and address systemic racial and gender inequities in the social innovation sector in North Texas. To accomplish this, the Social Innovation Incubator will provide an organizational and leadership development program exclusively for early-stage social ventures led and staffed by women and people of color working to implement new and creative solutions to pressing problems facing North Texans in the areas of Education, Income, and Health
Through this program, each participant will develop a validated business plan, receive personalized leadership coaching, and access financial, human, and social capital through United Way’s network.
Why participate?
Validated business plan
The platform offers a learn-by-doing approach inspired by MIT's Disciplined Entrepreneurship where you'll get to generate a validated business plan for your venture.
Leadership Coaching
You’ll be partnered with a professional who will provide personalized coaching to develop your venture and grow your leadership.
Seed Funding
Ventures that complete the program will receive a program payment and will be eligible to compete in a pitch competition for additional funding of up to $5000.
Anytime, Anywhere
Learn, collaborate, and grow your venture from anywhere, at any time, and on any device through the online platform.
Proven Methodology
1700+ entrepreneurs from 70 countries have gone through the program!
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 early-stage social venture, either non-profit or for-profit, that is seeking to address a critical problem facing North Texans 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 3.5 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
The deadline to apply is in…
AUGUST 1, 2021
And now… What?
Application Workshops
Ask questions about your Social Innovation Incubator applications and get support from Social Innovation Accelerator leadership coaches and United Way staff. Questions can be about the application in general or they can be specific to your application.
Entrepreneur Selection
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Bridge for Billions will review the applications and select 20 start-ups to participate.
The final participant communication will be on August, 9.
Onboarding Session
Bridge for Billions will host an onboarding session where participants will learn how to use the incubation platform, methodology and more.
Date: Thursday, August 12 at 12 pm CDT
Mentor and Entrepreneurs Match
Entrepreneur and mentor pairs will be formalized.
Incubation Program Begins
- Participants will attend eight online checkpoints to meet fellow founders and work on the soft skills needed to grow as an entrepreneur.
- You’ll work weekly with your mentor, using one-to-one sessions to go over eight business modules. You’ll refine your value proposition and leave the program with a visual business and growth plan.
- Mentors will have 4 training sessions to boost their learning and growth in the mentoring and leadership journey.
The platform
The Incubation Program, powered by Bridge for Billions, offers a gamified, step-by-step platform experience that allows entrepreneurs to validate their business model and develop their visual business plan.
The platform will help you network, research and test your business plan. Throughout the program, your mentors will provide one-to-one support, challenging 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). 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.
You will need to use a laptop or desktop computer to access the platform; you’ll also need reliable internet access. For optimal performance, we recommend using Google Chrome, Safari or Firefox as your web browser.
Once accepted into the program, you’ll enter the Matching Phase, which lasts 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.
Yes! If you are working with business partners, you can all participate in the program. Only one representative from your team should apply, but if selected you can 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.
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 outside the platform (typically using video calls).
Can’t find your question here?
Submit a question or request an introductory call with Alexis, the program manager for the Social Innovation Incubator
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas & Bridge for Billions © 2021
Icons created by Made from the Noun Project | Privacy Policy | Terms and conditions