Where Changemakers Build the Future of Tech for Good
The Tech for Good Accelerator is an intensive 8-week program that takes Innovation Circle members from idea to impact. Teams gain structure, mentorship, technical resources, and a network of advisors — culminating in a public Demo Day showcase.
Apply to the Accelerator Start with an Innovation CircleFrom Idea to Deployed Impact in 8 Weeks
The Accelerator is the next step for Innovation Circle members whose ideas are ready to be built. Over eight structured weeks, teams move through a proven framework: clarifying the problem, validating the solution, building a prototype, and presenting to a public audience of funders, partners, and community stakeholders.
Who It's For
Teams of 2–5 people who have been active in an Innovation Circle and have a validated idea at the intersection of technology and community impact.
What You Receive
Weekly coaching, access to DreamForge's advisor network, technical support, and a platform to present your work at a public Demo Day.
What We Look For
Cross-sector teams, a clearly defined community problem, early evidence of need, and a committed team with the time and drive to build.
What Comes After
Accelerator graduates stay connected to DreamForge's ecosystem. The strongest teams are connected to funders, advisors, and Brandolon's advising practice for continued support.
The 8-Week Curriculum
Each week builds on the last, moving teams from validated idea to public launch. DreamForge provides the structure — teams bring the commitment.
Problem Framing
Define the community problem with precision. Map stakeholders. Identify what tech can and cannot solve.
Solution Design
Move from idea to architecture. User stories, tech stack decisions, and equity considerations built in from the start.
Build & Prototype
Build a working prototype. Weekly coaching sessions. Access to technical advisors and DreamForge's partner network.
Demo Day Prep & Launch
Polish the build and the pitch. Present publicly to funders, partners, and community. Leave with momentum.
Giving Compass: What Accelerator-Style Building Looks Like in Practice
Giving Compass — an AI-powered philanthropic discovery platform — represents the kind of mission-driven tech product the Accelerator is designed to produce. Built through a process that prioritized community needs, equity in data, and long-term sustainability, Giving Compass is now used by major foundations and individual donors across the country to make smarter, more equitable giving decisions.
The platform connects donors and foundations with evidence-based causes and vetted organizations — using AI to cut through the noise and surface giving opportunities aligned with the values and priorities of the funder. It was built with the belief that better-directed philanthropy produces better community outcomes.
This is the vision for every team that comes through the Accelerator: a product that didn't exist before, built by a team that believes in it, deployed in service of a community that needs it.
Eligibility & Expectations
The Accelerator is selective by design. We keep cohorts small to ensure every team gets real attention and real support. Here's what we look for:
Ideal Applicants
- Teams of 2–5 with a mix of technical and domain expertise
- Active participation in a DreamForge Innovation Circle
- A clearly defined community problem — not just a product idea
- Early validation: at least some evidence that the problem is real and that people want a solution
- Commitment to the full 8-week program (approx. 10–15 hours/week)
- A genuine commitment to equity, access, and community benefit
Ready to Build?
Applications for the next Accelerator cohort are open. If you're part of an Innovation Circle and your team has an idea ready to build, we want to hear from you.
Apply Now Not in a Circle Yet? Start HereAbout the Program
An Accelerator Built
for Social Impact
Most accelerators are built for startups chasing venture capital. The DreamForge Tech for Good Accelerator is built for something different — people who want to use technology to solve real problems in their communities, nonprofits, and the world.
Open exclusively to members of Innovation Circles, the Accelerator is an 8-week intensive that takes a project from concept to working prototype. Teams receive structured mentorship, technical support, and access to a growing network of tech-for-good practitioners.
The program culminates in a public Demo Day — where teams present their work to an audience of community leaders, funders, and potential partners.
The Program
The 8-Week Journey
A structured sprint from problem definition to working prototype, with expert guidance every step of the way.
Weeks 1–2
Problem Definition & Vision
Clarify the problem you're solving. Map the stakeholders. Define what success looks like for your community or cause.
Weeks 3–4
AI Tools & Tech Stack
Learn to use AI-powered tools purposefully. Choose the right technology for your solution and begin building your foundation.
Weeks 5–6
Build & Iterate
Move from prototype to working product. Test with real users in your community. Refine based on what you learn.
Weeks 7–8
Demo Day Prep & Launch
Polish your presentation. Prepare your pitch. Get ready to showcase your work at the public Demo Day event.
Our Partners
Built with World-Class Partners
The DreamForge Accelerator is powered by partnerships with leading institutions in philanthropy, community technology, and social innovation.
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Indiana University's globally recognized school of philanthropy brings expertise in mission-driven giving, community engagement, and social impact frameworks to every cohort.
PeaceGeeks
A pioneering tech-for-good organization with a decade of experience building digital tools for refugees, displaced communities, and underserved populations worldwide.
Loyola University Chicago
Bringing Jesuit values of justice and community service, Loyola's network connects Accelerator participants with faculty expertise, students, and social enterprise resources.
The Culminating Event
Demo Day
At the end of every cohort, teams present their work to a live audience of philanthropists, civic leaders, nonprofit executives, and fellow innovators. Demo Day is more than a showcase — it's a launchpad.
Live Presentations
Each team delivers a 5-minute pitch of their project, the problem it solves, and the impact it's designed to create.
Expert Feedback
A panel of social sector leaders, technologists, and philanthropists provides real-time feedback and connects teams to resources.
Community & Connection
Demo Day is open to the public and draws the broader DreamForge community — creating new partnerships, collaborations, and opportunities.
Applications Now Open
Ready to Build
for Good?
The DreamForge Tech for Good Accelerator is open to active members of an Innovation Circle. Take the next step — apply today or join a Circle to get started.