Rally SEA Winter 2027

The Rally Accelerator is a 16-week program for early-stage social and environmental ventures that are ready, or nearly ready, to run a pilot. Each year, Rally selects early-stage entrepreneurs who are tackling critical challenges in housing, health, education, the environment, and more, and equips them with mentorship, customized curriculum, peer support, and the preparation to become pilot-ready in Central Florida. The goal is readiness: a venture whose business model, theory of change, and social impact strategy are strong enough to put in front of a pilot partner. The Winter 2027 fellowship runs from January 18 to May 11, 2027, mostly virtual with one in-person gathering in Orlando. Rally welcomes for-profits, nonprofits, and hybrid models, and you do not have to be based in Central Florida.

Key Benefits

• Bespoke curriculum tailored to each venture's needs, from customer discovery and financial modeling to pitch prep and stakeholder alignment
• Weekly founder-level coaching sessions led by experts who understand impact-driven startups
• Mentorship and community: peer accountability and access to Rally Makers and alumni
• The Path to Pilots: preparation for Rally's pilot process with municipal, corporate, and community pilot partners
• For Rally TWO, Rally buys air or train fares for fellows from outside Central Florida and gives all fellows housing and a daily per diem

Eligibility

• Early-stage ventures with an MVP and a hypothesis worth testing: at least a prototype or early traction (not idea-stage)
• For-profits, nonprofits, and hybrid models
• A product, approach, or prototype aimed at one of Rally's nine pillars: Energy & Water, Land & Sustainable Materials, Mobility & Connectivity, Housing & Attainment, Health & Wellness, Education & Talent, Civic Engagement, Placemaking & Safety, Economic Development
• You do not have to be based in Central Florida, but your solution must address Central Florida's regional priorities and you must be committed to testing, piloting, or scaling there
• Able to attend all three mandatory Rally gatherings

Program Structure

• 16 weeks, January 18 to May 11, 2027; mostly virtual, with one in-person gathering in Orlando
• Week 1: Rally ONE - 2-Day Workshop (Virtual), January 18-19, 2027
• Week 2: Venture And Social Impact Model Triage (Virtual)
• Weeks 3-8: Weekly Meetup And Check-Ins (Virtual)
• Week 9: Rally TWO - 4 Day Workshops And Experiences (Orlando, Florida), March 15-17, 2027 (travel days March 14 and 18)
• Weeks 10-12: Weekly Meetup And Check-Ins (Virtual); Weeks 13-14: Weekly Check-Ins (Virtual)
• Week 16: Rally THREE - Fellow Showcase (Virtual), May 11, 2027
• Timeline: application period August 28 to October 27, 2026; interview invites November 16, 2026; fellowship invitation December 8, 2026

Cost

The program is free for accepted ventures, thanks to support from Rally Makers and regional partners.