In an increasingly digital world, tech-based solutions are key tools to address real-world problems, like poverty. Blue Ridge Labs is Robin Hood’s poverty-fighting innovation lab, focused on supporting, incubating, and scaling community-driven tech solutions that address the problems of people experiencing poverty through its Catalyst program.
Catalyst is a five-month incubator to grow early-stage organizations into full-fledged, sustainable organizations that tackle economic inequality.
Teams receive a wide range of financial and non-financial support including a grant (nonprofits), investments (for-profits), guidance in refining product offerings and operating models, connections to mentors and talent, and a set of in-kind and discounted resources. In addition, they will also work from our co-working space.
Benefits of Participation
- Up to $90,000 in funding ($40,000 for 10-12 ventures that are accepted and up to another $50,000 for the 3-5 top-performing startups over the accelerator timeline)
- Access to the ‘Design Insight Group’ (DIG) to provide direct user research and feedback from communities closest to the problems affecting populations in poverty
- Curriculum covering core business fundamentals including product development, fundraising, business operations, sales, legal, and impact measurement
- In-house product development, design, and community-building support
- A network of donors and impact investors to support fundraising efforts
The program targets ventures less than 1-2 years old – post the “discovery” phase, but pre-acceleration.
Strong applicants have developed and launched a small-scale version of their product and are ready to apply what they have learned through that process towards building a scalable platform.
How to Apply
The Catalyst Program is open to founders worldwide. Click here to begin your application. The deadline for submission is Friday, November 15, 2024.
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