Launch of the Acceleration Program to address the missing middle funding gap

After running incubation programmes for ten years, the BC4C team observed that although early-stage support had helped many ventures launch and successfully prove their business models, many alumni that had grown beyond the start-up stage were facing a new set of challenges beyond the scope of the incubation programme.

The most significant reason was the missing middle funding gap. Many social enterprises at the growth stage need more funding and greater flexibility than before, but do not yet qualify for traditional grants. At the same time, they are not yet ready for commercial investors or strategic partners. The Acceleration Program was therefore designed to strengthen financial management, governance and impact communication, helping ventures connect more effectively with suitable funding sources and partners.

The initial format (B.E. 2565-2567) required applicants to have earned at least 1 million baht in the year before applying, or to provide clear evidence of sales showing that their business model was viable, and to need additional funding of 1-5 million baht, whether in the form of grants, loans or investment. The selection process began by narrowing all applicants down to around 10 ventures, then selecting the final 5-6 teams through a pitch to a committee. They then took part in a 3-month business plan development process, which culminated in a showcase where they presented to funding sources and strategic partners, including government funders, independent investors, venture capital funds, foundations and non-governmental organisations.

The first cohort of the Acceleration Program (B.E. 2565) included 6 ventures: a-chieve, Buddy Homecare, moreloop, noburo, ooca and YoungHappy, all of which were alumni of previous incubation cohorts.