The idea is simple, really. Take a group of entrepreneurs who have promising ideas for new businesses, connect them with mentors, teach some business basics, and introduce financial backers. Then let the entrepreneurs themselves vote on which businesses should be funded.
That's the premise behind a new accelerator that Emory and its Social Enterprise @ Goizueta (SE@G) program are running with community partners. VilCap:Start seeks to unlock the economic potential of marginalized neighborhoods in metro Atlanta. It provides the most promising micro-entrepreneurs (those whose businesses employ four or fewer people) with the business knowledge, network access, and early-stage financing to develop their businesses.