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Spring and Fledge Partner to Form the First Virtual Impact-Only Accelerator

- Spring and Fledge are co-launching FledgeX, a virtual accelerator for impact-focused companies around the world to have access to top international mentorship.
Spring Activator
2015-08-05 21:00 2174

VANCOUVER, Canada, Aug. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring Activator and Fledge are launching FledgeX, the world's first virtual accelerator targeted solely at impactful and mission-driven startups. This program is the first of its kind for impact-based companies and aims to increase accessibility and "good growth" for entrepreneurs in remote communities who might otherwise be unable to access quality mentorship and resources. Fledge and Spring's mutual goal is to help entrepreneurs succeed and make a difference no matter where in the world they're starting up.

Spring and Fledge partner to accelerate impact-driven entrepreneurs wherever they’re starting up with FledgeX
Spring and Fledge partner to accelerate impact-driven entrepreneurs wherever they’re starting up with FledgeX

"Spring is very excited to be working on FledgeX", says Keith Ippel, CEO of Spring Activator. "From our experience running Kick, we've seen that entrepreneurs in smaller communities value access to an accelerator to grow and connect on a global scale and maximize their positive impact. Here at Spring, we're lucky to have Vancouver's vibrant startup community to lean on and hope to spark other communities with the same spirit that has allowed us to grow so quickly."

Within 20 years, startups have gone from a rarity only found in places like Silicon Valley or Boston to popping up in areas as remote as the Canada's Yukon because of technology. This trend, identified in Startup Compass' 2015 startup ecosystem report and others, is growing and the resulting ecosystems are becoming a driving economic force in communities worldwide.

Spring and Fledge understand the changes occurring, and are working to accelerate this process among impactful entrepreneurs, giving them the opportunity and resources to grow. With this program, entrepreneurs are able to gain access to Seattle and Vancouver's vibrant communities regardless of their location or accessibility.

Says Michael "Luni" Libes, Founder of Fledge: "Our goal at Fledge is to find the best ways to empower and accelerate socially conscious entrepreneurs to do good by doing business. FledgeX is the next step beyond our in-person programs, allowing us to reach any entrepreneur anywhere in the world the Internet reaches, bringing the education and mentorship of Seattle and Vancouver to their doorsteps. Spring is a perfect partner for us in this next step based on their proven track record with Kick and our common belief that real world problems can be solved by for-profit businesses."

FledgeX is a completely virtual acceleration program that utilizes regional facilitators to lead workshops twice per week. Workshops will include speakers and mentors sourced from Spring and Fledge's combined international network. Our combined network of over 300 mentors have included: Ryan Spong (CEO, Foodee) and Ambrosia Humphrey (VP Talent, Hootsuite).

Spring has previously partnered with Fledge on the Kick pre-accelerator program. In addition, Kick operates in dozens of other cities around the world. Spring has graduated four in-person cohorts and two virtual cohorts, bringing the total to 65 entrepreneurs graduated, 43 companies launched, and 55 new jobs created, from Canada's remote Yukon, down to Venezuela. This past success has driven Spring and Fledge to concentrate on "good growth" and accelerate companies looking to make a positive change in the world.

"Having the opportunity to enjoy mentorship and guidance from the team at Spring has been invaluable for us here in Venezuela", says Jesus Peñaloza, CEO of Pago en Red. "Our current geopolitical situation doesn't create a favorable economic climate and having an international perspective that we can rely on is crucial for our success. Thanks so much to the Spring team for helping us during Kick and beyond!"

Applications for FledgeX are open now and close August 16. The program is set to run from September 28November 16, with an anticipated seven cohorts of seven entrepreneurs each all over the world. Applicants must be mission-driven and preference is given to those with proven traction (3-12 months past launch), but we can be swayed if you can convince us you're you're in it to win it. In order to increase the accessibility of this program, payment will take the form of 1% of total revenue up to $2M, with $799 cash tuition due at the start of the program.

About Spring: Spring is focused on helping high growth, for-profit, purpose-driven companies create meaningful change in our world. The Spring model is an evolution of the best elements of accelerator and incubator methodologies. We support companies with a mixed offering of targeted skills and resources, access to a strong network of mentors and investors, shared workspace, and access to capital.

About Fledge: Fledge is the conscious company accelerator, providing training, guidance, and mentorship to mission-driven for-profit startups, globally.

Keith Ippel (CEO, Spring Activator), Keith@spring.is, Spring.is; Michael "Luni" Libes (Managing Director, Fledge), Luni@fledge.co, Fledge.co/x

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150805/8521505131



Source: Spring Activator
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