The S&R Foundation is launching a new Washington, D.C- based incubator program aimed at social entrepreneurs called Halcyon Incubator. Successful applicants will live rent-free in a multimillion dollar newly- renovated 18th century townhouse in the center of Georgetown for four months. The 12-16-month fellowship also includes eight months of rent-free workspace, complimentary strategic, legal and PR resources, mentorship, as well as access to a network of potential funders from all sectors.
“We're looking for talented people with fearless and audacious ideas who want to move towards solving some of the world's most complex problems,” says S&R Foundation COO, Kate Goodall. The sector-agnostic incubator will take 16 applicants a year, providing them with opportunities to 'move the needle' on anything from re-incarceration issues to fresh water solutions.
“We really want to catalyse Washington DC as a hub for social entrepreneurs,” says Goodall. The S&R Foundation was founded by Dr. Sachiko Kuno and Dr. Ryuji Ueno, cofounders of the Sucampo Group, an international affiliation of pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing companies. The foundation already provides support for musicians and artists and wants to help social entrepreneurs access key individuals in D.C's federal government and non-profit community.
“Our founders are scientists and entrepreneurs by training as well as art and music lovers,” says Goodall. “They received opportunities along the way and now they want to provide the same.”
The Board of Advisors includes Patrick Dowd, the National Geographic's youngest ever editor-at-large who ran the Millennial Train Project, a 3,000 mile rolling business and leadership incubator last year.
“The Halcyon Incubator’s risk-tolerant environment encourages individuals with audacious ideas to apply to the program,” said S&R Foundation CEO Dr. Sachiko Kuno in a press release. “Applicants aren’t required to know if their idea will spawn a for-profit, non-profit or government solution, but simply be committed to applying new thinking to empower social change.”
The Halcyon Incubator does not require equity in the fellow’s venture, but only a commitment to growing ideas to achieve social change, says Goodall.
The incubator will start taking applications on March 24 and the first class will begin on September 1, 2014.
