The Miller Center's Accelerator Program is designed for social enterprise leaders ready to transition from traction to scale. The program equips leaders with the necessary knowledge, networks, and confidence to accelerate their mission. Participants embark on a customized path that draws on elements essential to their specific business needs, including six months of mentorship from top-tier business executives. This guidance helps refine and strengthen long-range impact strategy, business models, and funding plans to confidently advance the organization's mission.
Program Structure and Focus
• Program Duration: A six-month virtual program.
• Cost: There is no cost to participants.
• Curriculum: Utilizes proven curricula and is customized to address gaps and opportunities in each business, helping develop an action plan for organizational growth.
• Mentorship: Participants work closely with two executive mentors from a network of over 500, including start-up founders, serial entrepreneurs, and senior executives from companies like Apple, Google, and Intel. This involves 180 hours of focused, immersive, and customized executive mentoring.
• Core Focus: The program concentrates on social enterprises tackling poverty through women’s economic power and/or climate resilience.
Key Focus Areas
• Women’s Economic Power: The program examines four dimensions—women as leaders, employees, value chain participants, and/or customers.
• Climate Resilience: This area focuses on the intersection of the climate crisis and people living in poverty, specifically in safe water and sanitation, renewable energy, and regenerative agriculture.
Participant Requirements
• Role: Must be a senior leader such as a CEO, Executive Director, or Managing Director.
• Language: Must be fluent in English or Spanish.
• Connectivity: Requires consistent and reliable access to the internet.
• Skills: Must be proficient in Excel.
• Time Commitment: Availability to participate in the 6-month program, which requires weekly 1-hour calls with mentors and a commitment to work a few hours per week on the investment plan.
Organizational Requirements
• Mission: Must be committed to creating positive benefits for people living in poverty and addressing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Impact Focus: Must be intentional about supporting women’s economic power, climate resilience, or the intersection of both.
• Scalability: Must be committed to scaling its solution far beyond current operations.
• Operational History: Must be operational for at least one year and delivering products/services to customers.
• Revenue: Must have at least $50,000 USD (or local equivalent) in annual earned income and not be entirely dependent on contributions or grants.
• Financials: Must have a working financial model forecasting cash flow, balance sheet, and income statement.
• Team Size: A minimum of 3 full-time staff (or equivalent).
• Financial Runway: A minimum 3-month cash runway.
Application Timeline for January 2027 Cohort
• Early Application Deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026
• Early Decision Notification: Late September 2026
• Regular Application Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026
• Final Cohort Selection: All applicants will be notified by Friday, November 20, 2026
• Note: Applications submitted after October 16, 2026, will be considered for the next accelerator cohort.
The accelerator features a rigorous screening process to ensure participants are among peers making significant global shifts. For those uncertain about their eligibility, a quick 2-minute quiz is available to assess candidacy. The program aims to provide a transformative experience that remains with its participants indefinitely as they grow their companies.