With the recent launch of the Points of Light Civic Accelerator’s fall application, I caught up with two spring 2014, Atlanta based ventures to gain some insight on why they applied, some major take-a-ways and what CivicX meant for their startups and more importantly, what it could mean for yours.
Sean Williams, President, SEMA Development
www.semadevelopment.com
TA: Why did you apply for the Civic Accelerator?
SW: I was seeking a national accelerator to help SEMA expand our volunteer base out from Atlanta. Joy Hymel from ATDC sent me the application with a note, “Here’s an accelerator centered on volunteer service, this looks perfect for you guys!”
TA: What was the most surprising thing you experienced/learned while in CivicX?
SW: The emphasis on values as the foundation for who you are and what you do as a social innovator. This created an incredible camaraderie between the founders and the great staff at Points of Light.
TA: How has being part of CivicX improved/changed your venture/approach?
SW: Social entrepreneurship is a massive, nationwide movement. The accelerator humbled me and helped me to better understand my role and responsibility as a part of a broader cause.
Here’s Sean pitching SEMA Development during the Spring 2014 Civic Accelerator Demo Night:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVE4BjutZHA]
Brian Srikanchana, CEO, WorkReadyGrad
www.workreadygrad.com
TA: Why did you apply for the Civic Accelerator?
BS: We applied to CivicX, looking for mentorship from people who have been where we are now and a shot at $50k.
TA: What was the most surprising thing you experienced/learned while in CivicX?
BS: Although we didn’t win the cash prize concluding cohort 4, at least three of the 14 teams will be including WorkReadyGrad in their programming this year with their students, helping us to scale to Chicago and San Francisco. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely game. Being accepted into CivicX truly makes you feel like you’re part of a global community doing kick-ass work to make the world better in more ways than you could imagine.
TA: How has being part of CivicX improved/changed your venture/approach?
BS: CivicX helped us connect with the Corporate Social Responsibility groups among major US employers, identify that we have a variety of potential revenue sources, better yet helped us focus on which customer segment made the most sense (students).
Here’s Ian Pollock pitching WorkReadyGrad during the Spring 2014 Civic Accelerator Demo Night:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8MW3mj_HG0]
You can apply now for the Fall 2014 Civic Accelerator. For more information visit www.civic-x.org or follow us on Twitter @civicacceleratr – #civicX
[Photo Credit: Points of Light, Spring 2014 Civic Accelerator Graduates]
