Helping People Transform Early-Stage Work Into Sustainable Ventures That Have A Positive And Measurable Social Or Environmental Impact.
Our Partners
The Rally Accelerator Program
Rally's social enterprise accelerator aims to help people transform their early-stage work into sustainable ventures that have positive and measurable social or environmental impact. Twice a year, we invite promising social entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of their work to join our four-month accelerator as Rally Fellows. During the program, Fellows receive mentorship, one-on-one coaching, the opportunity to earn paid and unpaid pilots, and access to critical networks and community designed to help them develop and/or validate their business and social impact model.
Why Apply To Rally?
Early-stage ventures face a myriad of challenges. Navigating this complex landscape demands a unique blend of expertise, knowledge, and a robust support network. Rally provides participants with unparalleled access to our team's intellectual and social capital, enabling them to sidestep common pitfalls, address hidden challenges, and rapidly advance their business and social impact models. Our ultimate goal is to equip participants with the practical, hands-on coaching and mentorship they need to accelerate their ventures towards sustainability and measurable positive social or environmental impact.
Hands-On And Practical Mentorship And Coaching
Early-stage ventures need a robust business and social impact model to chart their course towards growth, sustainability, and meaningful change. This model serves as the foundation for strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and priority setting. At Rally, we empower entrepreneurs to develop and refine their models through hands-on support, rigorous questioning, strategic guidance, and real-world experimentation. Our goal is to equip participants with the tools they need to build ventures that are not only financially viable but also create a positive impact on society.
Business And Social Impact Model Development And Validation
A supportive community is the cornerstone of early-stage entrepreneurship. At Rally, we provide a nurturing environment where people can connect with like-minded peers, access invaluable resources, and gain the confidence to turn their ideas into reality. Through engaging one-on-one and group activities, we foster meaningful relationships that extend beyond the program. Our goal is to empower participants with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to achieve both personal and professional success.
Meaningful Fellowship
Pilots are essential for early-stage ventures to transition from concept to reality. By partnering with organizations like The City of Orlando, Rally connects program participants to real-world opportunities to validate solutions, acquire customers, generate revenue, gather data, and attract investment. These pilot programs provide access to unique testing grounds where innovators can address critical challenges in areas such as connectivity, energy, health and safety, placemaking, mobility, water, waste, and materials.
Pilot Opportunities
Program Commitments And Cost
The Rally program offers a no cost program for individuals who are building early-stage social ventures. If accepted, indivudals are required to commit to the following schedule to participate in the 16-week program:
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)
Is Rally The Right Program For You?
Our Development Phase Sweet Spot
Rally specializes in supporting individuals building for-profit or nonprofit ventures during the critical seed and early growth stages. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that arise during these phases, and our resources are specifically tailored to help individuals navigate them successfully. To see if your venture is currently at a stage where Rally can be most effective, please review the charts below.
Issue Areas We Work With
Rally is dedicated to empowering individuals building ventures that tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. We focus our support on initiatives that demonstrably impact key areas such as access to essential resources (like connectivity, energy, water, and healthcare), community well-being (through placemaking, safety initiatives, and education), and economic opportunity (via civic engagement and economic mobility programs), as well as environmental stewardship (through land, water, and material conservation efforts).
The People We Seek
Rally seeks passionate individuals driven by a core mission to address pressing social, environmental, or economic issues. Eligible participants must be US residents or hold a valid US visa (travel, work, or student) and, if leading a nonprofit, demonstrate a commitment to developing market-facing products/services or applying entrepreneurial principles to donor development. Ideal candidates are actively seeking support in defining and measuring their venture's impact, understanding their target audience (customers or donors), refining their business model, and preparing to raise seed funding, pursue grants, or apply to growth-stage accelerator programs like Echoing Green, Camelback, RedF, or Y Combinator.
If Rally sounds like the right fit, we encourage you to apply.
Application Timeline And Process
WINTER 2025 PROGRAM DETAILS
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 - February 17, 2025 to May 9, 2025
Interview Invites- June 10, 2025
Fellowship Invitation - June 27, 2025
Program Start - July 14, 2025
Program End - November 3, 2025
The Rally application process consists of 2 rounds. After this round, successful candidates will be extended a Fellowship invitation into the next Rally Cohort.
ROUND 1: APPLICATION
In the first round, applicants will submit short answers about their business and social model. All applicants will be notified of their status by email. Successful applicants will advance to round two.
ROUND 2: INTERVIEW
Selected applicants will interview with the Rally team, presenting their ventures and answering questions about their business and social impact models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Are Rallys?
A: 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 VenturePresentations
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.
Q: Does Rally provide a travel and accommodation support for Rally TWO?
A: 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.