FAQ
Here's a list of frequently asked questions from aspiring entrepreneurs and mentors interested in DO GOOD X. If your question is not listed here, please get in touch with us at hello@dogoodx.org.
- General Questions
- Applicant Questions
- Mentor Questions
DO GOOD X provides a 10-week accelerator and community of support designed for early-stage social entrepreneurs passionate about developing ventures that do good in the world. For us, “doing good” means that these businesses make a positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. DO GOOD X provides underrepresented social entrepreneurs with a unique experience and access to a community of peers and mentors, an interactive process to clarify the purpose of their business ideas, and access to resources they otherwise might not have.
The X reflects the intersection where faith that drives an individual’s passion to do good connects with the positive social impact they want to have on people and communities through an entrepreneurial venture.
The X also represents the mark you will make on the world by doing good. What’s your X?
There are three ways you can get involved with DO GOOD X:
- Do you have a concrete business idea and need help developing and launching it? Are you committed to the principles of your faith, which motivate you to make a social impact through your business venture? Are you seeking a community of support and resources to help you on your entrepreneurial journey? Apply to participate in the DO GOOD X Startup Accelerator. Click here to read more information.
- Are you an established entrepreneur who wants to invest your time, expertise, and guidance to support early-stage entrepreneurs? Are you motivated by your faith to positively impact people and communities? Apply to join the DO GOOD X community of mentors. Click here for more details.
- Want to see what DO GOOD X is all about? Attend the Pitch for Good after the 10-week accelerator program to hear DO GOOD X Fellows pitch business ideas that address a problem people or communities face. Here, a community of investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders gather to offer resources, connections, or expertise to support Fellows. Stay tuned for the upcoming Pitch for Good here.
- Are you a change-maker, entrepreneur, or innovator who desires a community? Are you seeking connections with other social entrepreneurs, expert guidance, and in-depth conversations that inspire you to do good? We encourage you to join our Entrepreneurial Network here.
- Are you ready to find your purpose? Dive into the DO GOOD X Podcast, where purpose and business collide to empower Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Tune in for insightful discussions, practical tips, and mentorship segments. We hope you will overcome doubts and pursue impactful entrepreneurship aligned with the needs of our communities. Click here to listen, learn, and DO GOOD with us.
- Do you have what it takes to be a social entrepreneur? Pursuing social entrepreneurship demands dedication, time, financial investment, and commitment. While some may have discovered the essentials for successfully developing a business idea, others may need to be made aware of the skillset this path requires. Click here to enroll in our new self-paced course to help you discern your readiness for this challenging journey.
DO GOOD X has three components that make social entrepreneurs’ experience stand out!
- We empower underrepresented social entrepreneurs and provide a community of peers and mentors with an interactive process to clarify the purpose of their business and access to resources. Inequality persists in the access that women and people of color who are entrepreneurs have to mentors, a community of entrepreneurial peers, resources, and financial support. This is where DO GOOD X steps in.
- We provide a participatory, interactive, and engaging program with mentors and entrepreneurs, tools, and resources to take businesses to the next level. Our approach is not a typical virtual classroom with lone expert speaking. Our program is a feeder for late-stage accelerators and helps to reduce the number of failed enterprises, diversify the entrepreneurial community, and catalyze underrepresented-led business ventures.
- Increasingly, people are motivated by their faith to address social issues but have not considered entrepreneurship to disrupt systems. In addition, most accelerator programs either do not address this key motivating factor for one’s work, or many entrepreneurs feel they must leave their faith at the door. We address and cultivate principles of faith essential to entrepreneurs’ resiliency and work for good in the world.
Eligible applicants include early-stage entrepreneurs who:
- Reside in the United States
- Have a clear entrepreneurial idea for good
- Are launching a new business or new aspect of a current business
- Can share proven efforts toward launching their business idea
- Need business tools to clarify and develop their venture
- Are committed to faith-rooted principles that motivate them to make a positive impact through their venture
- Need business tools to clarify and develop your venture
- Are prepared to pay $1,000 to attend the Startup Accelerator
- Can fully participate in the 10-week online accelerator
For more information, click here to visit the DO GOOD X Startup Accelerator application.
Yes. However, each team member must apply separately. If you are accepted to the accelerator program, each team member will need to pay to participate.
DO GOOD X’s program content is specifically created for entrepreneurs in the United States context. All Fellows must reside in the United States.
No. Each cohort of Fellows is a diverse group of social entrepreneurs from across the United States who meet virtually.
DO GOOD X’s accelerator works with both for-profit and nonprofit ventures. What’s most important is that your business is viable and has a positive social impact.
The Startup Accelerator is $1,000 for access to the interactive and collaborative program.
This covers the following:
- Access to mentors, coaches, and investors to help advance your business
- An interactive and engaging online program that includes a workbook, resources, and tools to develop and take your venture to the next level
- Weekly calls with an entrepreneurial facilitator and a cohort of peers to provide insight and support
- Access to course materials for a limited time beyond the accelerator
- A private Facebook group of DO GOOD X Alumni to source ideas and make connections
- A pitch to use during and beyond the accelerator to attract supporters and investors
- A clear business idea and developed solution to launch
- A community to cheer you along your journey
We offer support for a limited number of Fellows facing financial hardship. Applicants can apply for this support within their Startup Accelerator application.
If you’ve run into this phrase on our website, you might ask this question! DO GOOD X believes that social entrepreneurs and businesses for good move through the world and leave a positive impact and legacy on the people and communities entrepreneurs want to serve. This is a social good footprint, which is driven by an entrepreneur’s invisible capital and foundational principles that guide their work in the world.
DO GOOD X is innovated by the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), which is a leadership incubator for young adults who are interested in making a difference in the world through the exploration and pursuit of Christian ministry and teaching in theological schools. DO GOOD X understands there are many expressions of the Christian faith and does not require applicants to adhere to a particular denomination or practice in this religious tradition. However, applicants should identify as Christian and must demonstrate their commitment to develop and advance businesses that reflect principles of faith, courage, justice, generosity, purpose, and passion. These foundational principles will guide DO GOOD X’s efforts and your entrepreneurial work to make a positive impact on people, communities, and the environment in just and faithful ways.
No. We welcome applicants to apply if they meet eligibility requirements. However, since we are committed to providing opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs, the majority of our participant slots are allotted for entrepreneurs who meet this criteria.
DO GOOD X is innovated by the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), a leadership incubator for young adults interested in making a difference in the world through the exploration and pursuit of Christian ministry and teaching in theological schools. DO GOOD X understands many expressions of the Christian faith and does not require mentors to adhere to a particular denomination or practice in this religious tradition. However, mentors should be faith-rooted and must demonstrate their commitment to developing and advancing businesses that reflect the Christian principles of faith, courage, justice, generosity, purpose, and passion.
We’re looking for mentors with at least five years of experience as entrepreneurs with a proven track record of success in either a for-profit or non-profit business or as business leaders who have helped entrepreneurs launch and grow a business.