Demo Day "Graduation" For Accelerator Class

[vc_row][vc_column animate="false" effect="fade" margin_b="true" text_align="left" pl="0" pr="0" pt="0" pb="0" width="1/1"][vc_column_text pl="0" pr="0" pt="0" pb="0"]Instead of a leisurely summer vacation, this year’s four Accelerator participants have been busy learning, growing, vetting, testing, writing, planning and now preparing for what is a graduation of sorts, Mission Capital’s Accelerator Demo Day on October 5. This 2015 Accelerator class is addressing some key challenges in poverty, at-risk youth development, refugee resettlement, and health and wellness for the underserved. They are attacking the challenges at hand in unique ways. The upcoming Demo Day is a celebration of their hard work to develop and refine an investor ready business idea, and a test of their ability to pitch to a more sophisticated funder audience for additional capital.Demo days were popularized in the technology sector for budding startups to pitch for funding after completing essentially a boot camp to transform their idea into a business (formally called an accelerator or incubator). YCombinator in Silicon Valley is the most well-known for betting on the ideas that created companies like Dropbox and Airbnb, and the trend has spilled over into many sectors as a way for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to funders. Even the White House just hosted their first Demo Day last month.We think Austin’s social entrepreneurs are just as enterprising as successful companies like Dropbox and AirBnB among others, and deserve a chance to make their business plans happen with speed, efficiency and thoughtful planning. Mission Capital’s Accelerator Demo Day is a tremendous way to showcase innovators and innovations happening across all sectors and to identify new sources of capital.Over the last four months, the Executive Directors have rolled up their sleeves and opened themselves up to counsel, critique and collaboration with our Social Venture Partners. Together they worked on developing a Business Model Canvas to refine their solution, unique value proposition, key customer segments and cost structure. Pitch practices are happening as I write, and will continue over the next couple weeks in preparation for their night on the stage. In just a few weeks, these inspiring entrepreneurial nonprofits will pitch their business growth plans to select community funders and invited guests.At least one will be selected as a Social Venture Partner investee who will receive a capital infusion and advisory support for up to three years. All four organizations will walk away with an investor ready business plan, invaluable counsel on pitching from some of Austin’s best and a broader network of connections who may be future investors, board members or advocates in general.If you’re interested in getting involved with Austin’s first nonprofit accelerator, or have questions about attending the invitation-only Demo Day email me at kikij@missioncapital.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]