NEO Signature Cohort
Launch a social enterprise for FREE in Northeast Ohio.
In just 16 weeks, this free accelerator program will help you move your purpose-driven business forward further, faster.
Free to apply. 15 ventures will be selected.
2025 schedule:
Application window:
January 10 - February 10, 2025
Program duration:
March 10 - June 18, 2025
Meets weekly on:
Monday evenings
Meeting format:
Hybrid
This is an accelerator program. It moves fast. Like, really fast. Expectations are high, but the returns are even higher!
You're a perfect fit, if…
You fit the criteria outlined below and can commit to the expectations, then please apply!
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Your enterprise is somewhere between a fleshed-out idea and a 5-years-old business,
Your enterprise has identified a non-negotiable positive social impact, and is committed to measuring and monitoring impact,
Your enterprise intends to earn revenue with the sale of a product or service in order to sustain their social impact,
You have not participated in a SEA Change signature cohort with this enterprise idea before, and
You are willing and able to attend every accelerator session.
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If you’re selected as a participant, you are expected to:
Participate in a mentor match program and stay in touch with your mentor throughout the 4 month program
Build a team (support will be provided as needed)
Complete homework weekly throughout the program
Attend 14 live Zoom sessions, engage with our subject matter experts, and participate with your peers
Participate in a Showcase event (not all participants pitch, but all participate)
Join our awesome Alumni network
Provide ongoing data around your venture (on request - approximately once per year)
Join the NEO Alumni family!
“We created a business plan right when we needed it, and benefited greatly from all the pitch practice as we launched our venture.”
FAQs… answered!
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Short answer: anyone who wants to Do Good while Doing Well!
Longer answer…
Our curriculum is ideal for start-ups that are somewhere between a late-stage idea and 3-5 years in business (but flying by the seat of your pants!)
You are… committed to making an impact, and measuring that impact.
You intend to… earn revenue through the sale of a product or service.
You have not… participated in a SEA Change Signature Cohort before with the SAME idea.
You are… willing and able to attend every accelerator session over the 16 week timeframe.
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Great question! We expect this to be a competitive process, so get your application in early…
Our SEA Change Market Manager will pull together a review panel that includes local experts in social enterprise and entrepreneurship as well as selected SEA Change Staff and Alumni (peers!). These individuals will review and rank each application individually, then come together as a group to determine the final cohort makeup.
No more than 15 participants will be selected, in order to provide an ideal learning environment for each entrepreneur team.
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These are the 14 topics covered as part of our curriculum:
How Will You Change the World?
Human Centered Entrepreneurship
All the Pieces Work Together
Testing Your Venture’s Business Model
Financial Concepts & Modeling
Financial Projections
Understanding Financial Decision Making
Understanding Financial Leadership
Revisiting Your Venture’s Mission
Measuring, Monitoring, & Communicating Impact
Telling Your Story
Branding & Marketing
Raising Funds for Your Venture
Partners & Partnership
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It is free for selected entrepreneurs thanks to the generous financial support from our funding partners.
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Social Enterprises are businesses with a social mission equal to, or more important than, their financial one! They are revenue-generating businesses with primarily social objectives that are driven by the community (instead of shareholders).
This is a growing sector; these businesses are the future, allowing social change to become a part of our everyday spending culture.
Meet Reka!
She’s the one who leads the Northeast Ohio cohort!
Reka Barabas
Northeast Ohio Market Manager
rbarabas@seachng.org
She loves to design impactful learning experiences and connect entrepreneurs with resources. Connect with her on Linkedin or read her bio.
Latest Cohort News!
You CAN Do Good from Day 1
(without making a bunch of money first!)