Turn Bold Ideas into Scalable Impact
The Rally Accelerator helps early-stage social ventures grow into sustainable, community-driven solutions. If you're building for impact, we’ll help you get further, faster.
Our Partners
Each year, Rally selects early-stage entrepreneurs who are tackling critical challenges in housing, health, education, the environment, and more. Our 16-week accelerator equips them with mentorship, customized curriculum, peer support, and pilot opportunities in Central Florida.
The Challenge:
You have a mission. A prototype. Maybe even your first customer. But moving from early traction to a viable, scalable venture takes clarity, support, and the right ecosystem.
Why That Matters:
Too many social ventures stall not because of lack of passion, but because of gaps in their business model, social impact strategy, networks, and real-world testing. We close those gaps.
The Rally Accelerator Is The Answer:
We don't just teach theory—we help you implement. Ventures will get access to:
Pilot Opportunities
Access to local partners, municipal systems, and community-led pilot sites in Central Florida.
Bespoke Curriculum:
Tailored to each venture's specific needs—from customer discovery and financial modeling to pitch prep and stakeholder alignment.
Hands-On Coaching.
Weekly founder-level coaching sessions tailored to each venture's priorities and growth trajectory, led by experts who understand the unique challenges of impact-driven startups.
Mentorship & Community
Program Format:
16 weeks. Mostly virtual, with one in-person gathering in Orlando
Peer accountability and access to Rally Makers and alumni who’ve been where you are.
Week 1: Rally ONE - 2-Day Workshop (Virtual)
Week 2: Venture And Social Impact Model Triage (Virtual)
Week 3-8: Weekly Meetup And Check-Ins (Virtual)
Week 9: Rally TWO - 4 Day Workshops And Experiences (Orlando, Florida)
Week 10-12: Weekly Meetup And Check-Ins (Virtual)
Week 13-14: Weekly Check-Ins (Virtual)
Week 16: Rally THREE - Fellow Showcase (Virtual)
Who Should Apply:
Early-stage social entrepreneurs
For profits, nonprofits, hybrids ventures
Mission-driven founders with a product, approach or prototype
Ventures addressing Central Florida’s regional challenges, regardless of where they are based
Rally Issue Areas:
Real Ventures. Real Impact.
-
![]()
“Thanks to Rally, our venture is now piloting with the City of Orlando. The program helped us articulate the housing problem we solve, refine our go-to-market strategy, and build the right connections to move from invention to implementation.”
Joshua Footman, Co-Founder of Block N’ Lock
-
![]()
“Through the Rally network, we secured the venture backing we needed to grow—and ultimately sold our company to DreamBox. What started as a bold idea in Nova Scotia became a globally scaled literacy platform. Rally believed in our vision before the rest of the world caught on.”
Julia Rivard Dexter, Founder, Squiggle Park and Dreamscape
-
![Samuel Baker, WriggleBrew]()
“Before Rally, we had a great product. After Rally, we had a real business. Their coaching helped us double our revenue, land our first commercial client, and validate that sustainability doesn’t have to smell bad—or be out of reach for everyday gardeners.”
Samuel Baker, Co-Founder of WriggleBrew
-
![]()
“Not only did we secure a partnership with Crayola, but we also landed meetings with LegoLand, Universal, and the Orlando Magic. Rally gave us the momentum—and the credibility—we needed to break into major markets.”
Julia Denay, Founder, Sense-sational You
-
![]()
“Through Rally, I learned how to communicate the full environmental and economic impact of our recycled lighting systems. Their support fast-tracked our pilot with the City of Orlando and helped us sharpen our vision for scale.”
Joseph Genovesi, Founder of Genovesi Innovations
-
![]()
“Rally gave me the tools and relationships to take Archor from a prototype to a viable emergency response solution. Their focus on local relevance and systems thinking helped us shape our technology for real impact in the communities that need it most.”
Gordon Folkes, Founder of Archor Response
-
![]()
“Rally provided strategic coaching that helped us align our home paramedicine model with value-based care goals. We walked away with a refined narrative, a stronger partnership strategy, and new contracts that directly improve patient outcomes.”
Ken Peach, Executive Director of Care-A-Medix
Ready to Build What’s Next?
WINTER 2026 APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Our application timeline is subject to change therefore, please review our up-to-date application timeline below. Additionally, we will always announce date and other need-to-know information changes via emails to candidates.
Applications Period - August 25, 2025 to October 31, 2025
Interview Invites- December 2, 2025
Fellowship Invitation - December 16, 2025
Program Start - January 19, 2026
Program End - May 12, 2026
If you’re ready to scale your mission and test your solution in the real world, then Rally is the right place for you.
Applications for the Rally Accelerator open twice a year. If you're ready to apply, submit your Fellowship application. Want to stay informed? Join our newsletter to get updates and early access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
The program is free for accepted ventures, thanks to support from Rally Makers and regional partners.
Do I have to be based in Central Florida?
No. We welcome ventures from anywhere, as long as your solution addresses Central Florida's regional priorities and you're committed to testing, piloting, or scaling here.
What stage should I be in?
You should have at least a prototype or early traction—this program is not for idea-stage ventures.
What kinds of ventures get accepted?
We welcome nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid models tackling regional challenges with scalable, systems-minded solutions.
What Are Rallys?
Rallys are a mandatory part of the program and are designed to provide fellows with in-depth business and social impact model development, learning and experience opportunities, group fellowship, and one-on-one discussions with other fellows, staff, and mentors.
Rally ONE:
Format: Virtual
Focus: Program Kickoff and Workshops
Day 1: New Cohort Welcome, Theory of Change Workshop, and Venture Presentations
Day 2: Social Lean Canvas Model Workshop
Rally TWO:
Format: In-Person (Orlando, Florida)
Focus: Workshops & Experiences
Day 1: Theory of Change Workshop, Experience Activities, and Presentations
Day 2: Social Lean Canvas Model Workshop, Experience Activities, and Presentations
Day 3: Experience Activities and One-On-One Meetings
Rally THREE:
Format: Virtual
Focus: Program Closing and Fellow Showcase (2 Hours)
Fellows will present their ventures to Rally stakeholders, impact investors and granters, corporate, municipal, and nonprofit partners, and the community at large.
Does Rally provide travel and accommodation support for Rally TWO?
For non-local Fellows (individuals living outside Central Florida), we purchase airline or train fares for travel into and out of Orlando. Additionally, Rally provides all Fellows with housing and a daily per diem.