Propeller Impact Accelerator Program – US

In the Impact Accelerator, Propeller works with entrepreneurs to catalyze transformational growth. Propeller connects entrepreneurs with the contract opportunities, markets, and customers to put their businesses on the fast track for growth.

Ventures begin their Impact Accelerator experience by working with experienced, dedicated mentors to set ambitious yet achievable goals for growth and long-term sustainability, tailored to the needs of your business. Each venture receives support from subject matter experts to provide project assistance and access to entrepreneurial curriculum to remove speed bumps to growth.

Focus Areas 

Propeller supports entrepreneurs driving systemic change within our five focus areas. For each focus area, Propeller will prioritize solutions that specifically address the following issues:

• Community Economic Development (CED): In community economic development, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports BIPOC entrepreneurs operating brick and mortar establishments along the Broad Street corridor, in New Orleans East, and in Central City seeking to grow their revenues and staff.
• Education: In education, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs working in the service provision or delivery of early childhood education and care from birth to eight years of age.
• Food: In food, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs who have an existing consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand with an emphasis on sustainable, healthy, and affordable products made with locally-sourced ingredients.
• Health: In health, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs who provide direct health and wellness services, including clinical care, and services that address the social and physical determinants of health in the built environment and community context domains. Propeller prioritizes entrepreneurs who serve a BIPOC client base.
• Water: In water, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator focuses on supporting entrepreneurs working in the fields of green infrastructure, urban stormwater management, native plants cultivation, and coastal restoration.

Impact Accelerator Components

• Lead Mentor Office Hours
• Access to Subject Matter Experts (SME)
• Impact Accelerator Meetups
• Financial Wellness Programming
• Programming Grounded in Equity
• Propeller Coworking Space
• Network Building
• Alumni Program

Benefits

During the program, participants develop new tools, identify relevant resources, and foster meaningful connections needed for organizational growth. Key layers of support include:

• Lead Mentor Office Hours: Participants receive 16 hours of individualized strategy sessions with a dedicated Lead Mentor to actionize a detailed work plan consisting of revenue, capital, and social/environmental impact goals
• Access to Subject Matter Experts: Approximately 25 hours of assistance from Subject Matter Expert to complete short-term projects related to business development
• Tuesday Night Meetups: 12+ hours of business development curriculum
• Financial Wellness Programming: 10 hours of meetings with an accountant, bookkeeper, or CPA to address your business’s financial planning needs
• Programming Grounded in Equity: Coaching to embed racial equity, social and environmental impact processes into business operations
• Network Building Opportunities: Introductions to key community stakeholders, membership in a cohort of 20 like-minded entrepreneurs, as well as a network of over 300 Alumni
• Flex Coworking Membership: Each Impact Accelerator participant receives a year free flex membership at Propeller’s Coworking Space
• Alumni Programming: Propeller provides on-going support to Impact Accelerator participants beyond the program with ongoing training, events and networking opportunities

Eligibility Requirements 

• Propeller selects Impact Accelerator participants from a competitive pool of applicants who have demonstrated traction and viability for their organizations. Ventures are evaluated and accepted based on the following criteria:
  • Financial Viability
  • Entrepreneurial Leadership
  • Social and/or Environmental Impact
  • Commitment to Racial Equity
  • Focus Area Alignment
• Applicants should be eager to incorporate racial equity personally and within business operations. As an organization, Propeller understands that elevating BIPOC-owned businesses and creating employment opportunities for BIPOC communities is inherently a form of operationalizing racial equity.
• Propeller Alumni are also welcome to apply. Alumni applicants will be considered based on progress made since previous program enrollment and current venture goals that reflect advancement and adjustment for new challenges.

For more information, visit Propeller.