If you’re building a mission-driven venture and want access to pilot opportunities, expert mentorship, and a thriving community of changemakers, the Rally Social Enterprise Accelerator (Rally SEA) might be the perfect fit. Based in Orlando, Florida, and open to U.S.-based and international founders, Rally is a hybrid accelerator designed for early-stage startups creating measurable social or environmental impact. In this guide, we break down what makes Rally unique, who it’s for, how to apply, and how to stand out.
Rally SEA Accelerator Overview
Rally SEA runs a 16-week hybrid accelerator program twice per year (Winter and Summer cohorts). The experience is structured around three core events (Rally ONE, TWO, and THREE), weekly coaching, and customized mentorship to support startups from prototype to pilot.
🏢 Program Type: Hybrid (mostly virtual with one in-person week)
📍 Location: Orlando, Florida (virtual with on-site requirement)
💸 Investment: No standard seed investment; opportunity for paid pilot projects
💲 Equity Taken: None
⏳ Program Duration: 4 months (16 weeks)
🏦 Program Fee: None
🌟 Stage: Seed or early-growth stage (more than idea-only)
🌎 Industries of Focus: Social impact across sectors (connectivity, education, sustainability, healthcare, etc.)
Why Choose Rally SEA?
Rally isn’t just about building a startup—it’s about building a sustainable solution to a real-world problem. Here’s what founders gain:
- 💡 Mission-Driven Mentorship: Fellows receive practical 1:1 guidance from seasoned mentors, experts, and Rally staff.
- 👥 Cohort-Based Community: Build connections with a small, diverse cohort of other social entrepreneurs.
- 🏛️ Pilot Opportunities: Work with partners like the City of Orlando to test your venture in a real-world setting.
- 💼 Nonprofit-Friendly: Rally welcomes both for-profits and nonprofits with entrepreneurial models.
- 📈 Investor and Grantmaker Access: Present your venture at the Rally Showcase to an audience of aligned funders.
Eligibility Criteria
🌀 Rally looks for early-stage ventures with the potential to scale social or environmental impact. Whether you’re nonprofit or for-profit, what matters most is your commitment to solving meaningful problems.
To be eligible:
- You must have a working prototype or early operations.
- Ventures should be in the seed or early-growth stage (not just an idea).
- Open to for-profits and nonprofits with entrepreneurial models.
- Founders must be U.S. residents or hold a valid U.S. visa (for the in-person segment).
- You should have time to commit to 16 weeks of weekly sessions, mentoring, and the in-person Rally TWO week in Orlando.
📄 If this sounds like you, Rally could be the platform to grow both your business and your impact.
Rally SEA Accelerator Application Process
Here’s how the Rally SEA selection process works:
- Online Application: Submit your venture profile on F6S with short-answer responses covering your impact model, business model, and traction.
- Interviews: Shortlisted applicants are invited to a virtual pitch and Q&A with Rally’s team.
- Final Decision: Selected founders receive an invitation to join the upcoming cohort.
🔧 Pro Tip: Attend one of Rally’s info sessions before applying. These offer key insights into what the team is looking for.
Rally SEA Investment Terms
Rally takes a founder-friendly approach to capital support:
- ❌ No equity taken and no fees to join the program.
- 🚀 Opportunities for paid pilot programs with Rally partners.
- 🌍 Connections to impact investors and grant funders.
- 💼 Prize funding has been awarded to top ventures in past cohorts.
Tips for a Winning Rally SEA Accelerator Application
Rally receives hundreds of applications each year—so how do you make yours shine? It’s not just about having a great idea. Rally looks for founders with a clear mission, real traction, thoughtful models, and an eagerness to grow. Here’s how to stand out:
🏠 Lead with your mission
Rally is built for impact-first founders. Clearly explain the problem your venture addresses and the measurable change you’re aiming to create. Use real-world data, examples, or testimonials to help the Rally team understand why your mission matters. Avoid vague or generic language—get specific about who you serve, why it matters, and how your solution makes a difference.
📅 Demonstrate traction
Even at the early stage, some form of validation can set you apart. Have you run a small pilot? Gotten feedback from real users? Generated early revenue or secured letters of intent? These signals show that you’re past the idea stage and ready to execute. Rally isn’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for momentum. Share what you’ve learned so far and what’s next.
🤓 Show your thinking
Rally expects founders to think about both their business model and their impact model. Explain how your venture creates value and how it sustains itself. If you’re a nonprofit, highlight earned revenue strategies or a long-term sustainability plan. If you’re for-profit, explain how profit aligns with your mission. Use tools like Theory of Change or Lean Canvas terminology to demonstrate structured thinking.
🤝 Be coachable
The best founders are open to feedback. In your application, show a learning mindset. Mention a time you adapted based on mentor input, customer discovery, or pilot results. Let Rally know you’re eager for guidance and collaboration. Remember: Rally’s mentors and advisors invest deeply in their Fellows—make it clear you’ll make the most of that opportunity.
📚 Use their language
Read Rally’s website and mirror the terminology they use. Speak about your “impact model,” “earned income strategies,” or “scaling measurable outcomes.” Referencing concepts like “community well-being,” “economic mobility,” or “pilot validation” shows you’ve done your homework and align with Rally’s values. The closer your framing matches Rally’s priorities, the more likely your application will resonate.
By applying these tips, you’ll position yourself as a thoughtful, mission-aligned, and execution-ready founder—exactly the kind Rally wants to support.
FAQs
❓ Does Rally take equity or charge a fee to participate?
No. Rally SEA is completely free to join and does not take any equity from your venture. This applies whether you’re a for-profit or nonprofit. Thanks to philanthropic and civic partners, the program is fully funded and founder-friendly.
❓Does Rally provide investment or funding?
Rally does not provide upfront seed capital like traditional accelerators. However, founders can earn paid pilot engagements with Rally partners (such as the City of Orlando), and some Fellows have received $25K prize funding. Rally also facilitates introductions to impact investors and grantmakers during the program and at the final Showcase.
❓ Is Rally open to both for-profits and nonprofits?
Yes! Rally is entity-type agnostic. Whether you run a nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid model, you’re welcome—as long as you’re focused on solving a measurable social or environmental problem with a sustainable approach.
❓ Do I need to live in Orlando to join?
No. Rally is a hybrid program, mostly virtual, with one required in-person week (Rally TWO) in Orlando. If you’re from outside Central Florida, Rally will cover your travel, lodging, and meals for that in-person segment.
❓Can international founders apply?
Yes, international founders can apply as long as they hold a valid U.S. visa (e.g. travel, work, student). Rally requires legal eligibility to attend in-person sessions in Florida. You do not need to relocate permanently.
❓ What stage should my startup be at?
Rally is best for ventures that are beyond idea stage. You should have a prototype, pilot, or early operations in place. If you’re still in the research phase, it may be too early. Ideal candidates are at seed or early-growth stage and ready to refine and scale.
❓ What are Rally ONE, TWO, and THREE?
These are the three core milestones of the program:
- Rally ONE – Kickoff virtual workshops and cohort onboarding.
- Rally TWO – In-person, 4-day immersion week in Orlando.
- Rally THREE – Final Showcase where you pitch to funders and partners.
❓ What happens after the program ends?
As a Rally Fellow alum, you join a growing network of social entrepreneurs. Rally provides ongoing support, invites alumni to future events, and continues making investor and grantmaker introductions. Many alumni stay connected for years.
Final Thoughts on Getting Into Rally SEA
Rally SEA is not your typical startup accelerator. It’s a purpose-driven, community-backed program designed to help you launch, test, and grow a venture that solves real problems. If you’re ready to commit the time and energy, and your solution tackles a social or environmental challenge, Rally can help you go further, faster.🧠
