GoodCompany Ventures

Announcing Plans for our 2010 Incubator Program

Posted on 21. Jan, 2010 by Julianne in 2010 Incubator

With the success of its Incubator program in 2009, GoodCompany Ventures is preparing to make 2010’s version a notch above. Once we open up admissions we will be looking for startups and strategic partners with a strong commitment to social impact, financial viability and operational integrity.

Our 2009 pilot program was the first incubator of its kind, repurposing a proven venture strategy for social entrepreneurship.  Our model utilizes the knowledge of in-the-field experts through a carefully tailored curriculum focused on maximizing entrepreneurs’ potential. Our MBA-trained strategic advisors are equipped to ease entrepreneurs through the process, as are our mentors who are each experienced entrepreneurs and executives in the industries central to our program. The GCV Incubator serves entrepreneurs developing commercially scalable responses to unmet social needs by connecting their start-ups to community, counsel and capital.

We hope to fill our class with entrepreneurs  who are committed to sustainable, socially-oriented business and to the development of a community of like-minded people who can utilize this network to maximize growth.

In order to qualify for our program, entrepreneurs must be in the process of developing a commercially sustainable solution to an unmet social challenge with a commitment to comprehensive and transparent standards of care for employee, community and environmental interests.

To benefit most from our program, candidates should have completed their concept stage, have already engaged partners, created a prototype and begun beta or test marketing, and should anticipate needing external funding within 6-12 months. Our selection process is designed to create a diverse and dynamic cohort of entrepreneurs addressing a range of social issues. Our 2009 class included two companies in CleanTech, Education, Healthcare, Community Development and Social Finance.

Unlike conventional venture incubators, there is no fee to participate and GCV does not extract an equity commitment from entrepreneurs. We only require a commitment to social enterprise and the utilization of community infrastructure. GoodCompany Ventures is a community of service defined by the needs of social entrepreneurs. By championing models that offer measurable social impact and competitive financial returns, GCV aspires to transcend traditional categories and cultures of philanthropy, investment and achievement.