Social Ventures Zone - Incubation - Spring/Summer 2025

Incubation is the SVZ’s flagship startup program, and has graduated over 150 social enterprises since 2014. The SVZ selection committee admits ventures for incubation three times per year, who are then led through an 8-week cohort program before gaining SVZ membership for a two-year period. ️

The program offers two years of access to funding opportunities, hiring subsidies, an extensive coaching network, co-working space, workshops, and more, completely free of charge.

What does it mean to be incubated at the SVZ?

1. A small number of applicants are selected to pitch the committee.
2. A smaller number of applicants are offered admission to our incubation cohort.
3. These venture teams are onboarded and then participate in an eight-week cohort program where they will deepen their understanding of their problem and improve the elements of their venture.
4. At the close of the cohort sessions, each venture will make a final pitch to the SVZ community and join the broader cohort of SVZ startups. Ongoing participation through social events and workshops starts now!
5. At the start of their incubation, they will work with SVZ staff to create a plan to move forward, including identifying goals, setting KPIs and creating a timeline for testing and growth.
6. Venture teams will be matched with an SVZ coach that will support their work.
7. Ventures can remain a part of the SVZ at no charge for up to two years, provided they continue to actively work on their ventures and benefit from the support provided by the SVZ. Ventures will then graduate from the SVZ and become a senior team or alum.

Sessions for this program will take place from 3 to 5 PM on May 7th, May 14th, May 21st, May 28th, and June 4th. Please do not apply for this cohort if your schedule conflicts with these times.