21 May 2020
Propeller is excited to announce that applications are now open for its 2020 Impact Accelerator, an interactive 4-month accelerator program that provides entrepreneurs with coaching, community building, curriculum, and technical assistance.
In response to COVID-19, this year’s accelerator focuses on supporting businesses navigating the “new normal” as a result of the pandemic. Propeller will prioritize working with entrepreneurs who want to pivot or strengthen their strategies, services, or program delivery while incorporating equitable practices to address disparities in New Orleans.
Propeller’s Impact Accelerator enables entrepreneurs to build ventures grounded in financial viability, social impact, racial equity, and a demonstrated commitment to the prosperity of our city and region. Since its launch in 2011, this Accelerator program has cultivated a community of 200+ Alumni who have collectively generated millions in financing and revenue and created an abundance of full and part-time job positions.
The accelerator is free and open to entrepreneurs working in the following focus areas:
Community Economic Development
Entrepreneurs working to impact and improve localized economic development, to develop affordable housing, and to create jobs and build community especially for the benefit of people of color. Propeller will prioritize entrepreneurs along the Broad Street corridor, specifically those organizations addressing housing insecurity.
Education
Entrepreneurs working to infuse social-emotional learning, increase family and community engagement, and enact equitable, culturally relevant practices, policies, and approaches to classrooms, schools, and education systems across New Orleans.
Food
Entrepreneurs improving food access and food equity as well as food service businesses who are pivoting to producing consumer packaged goods and other local food products with an emphasis on sustainable, healthy, affordable, and locally sourced ingredients. Propeller will prioritize ideas that will create equitable economic development of the New Orleans food system.
Health
Entrepreneurs providing direct health and wellness services, including clinical care and services that address the social and physical determinants of health. Propeller will prioritize entrepreneurs working to serve a client base demographically representative of New Orleans.
Water
Entrepreneurs working specifically in stormwater management, green infrastructure, coastal restoration, or adaptation and resilience. Propeller will prioritize entrepreneurs working to diversify the water economy towards a more demographically representative sample of the majority Black and Brown city they serve.
Interested applicants can apply here and visit gopropeller.org/accelerator to learn more about upcoming virtual webinars, program details and key dates. Final application deadline is May 31 at 11:59 pm CT.