# Beneficial Business Accelerators The Impact Engine Supports Social Enterprise in Chicago By Rebecca Byers | Published 2012-08-14 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-impact-engine References: [techcrunch](http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/22/chicagos-impact-engine-accelerator-is-looking-for-environmentally-socially-minded-startups/) & [theimpactengine](http://www.theimpactengine.com/) The Impact Engine is a Chicago-based venture accelerator that focuses on socially and environmentally minded businesses. The incubator endeavors to equip entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to contribute to social and environmental issues that are failing to be solved by governments or NGOs alone. The Impact Engine at under the helm of [OpenTable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/icons-programs) founder Chuck Templeton and runs a 12-week program that includes seed funding, mentorship, training and workspace. In return for their investment in a venture, the Engine asks for a 7% stake the businesses they fund. The Impact Engine recently announced its first batch of startups, several of which have already been covered on SocialBusiness.org like [The Collaborative Group](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collaborative-group) and [Raise5](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raise5). **Contact Information** The Impact Engine [website](http://www.theimpactengine.com/) The Impact Engine on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/TheImpactEngine) The Impact Engine on [Twitter](http://twitter.com/TheImpactEngine) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 48% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Socially Responsible Venture Acceleration:** The Impact Engine focuses on socially and environmentally minded businesses, creating opportunities for environmentally friendly startups that offer social responsibility. - **Collaborative Entrepreneurial Toolkits:** The Impact Engine provides seed funding, mentorship and training and, in exchange, asks for a 7% stake in the businesses they help, opening up possibilities for collaborative entrepreneurial toolkits. - **Innovative Social Impact:** The Impact Engine turns business ideas for positive change into sustainable, innovative social impact, which can result in high social and economic returns for investors. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Social Enterprise:** The Impact Engine is a venture accelerator that focuses on socially minded businesses, offering opportunities and industry trends in social enterprise. - **Environmentally-friendly Startups:** The Impact Engine supports environmentally-friendly startups that prioritize sustainability, creating industry trends for startups with innovative environmental solutions. - **Responsible Investment:** The Investment Engine supports startups focused on social and environmental issues, opening up opportunities for responsible investment and sustainable returns for investors. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Entrepreneurial Support Foundations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ambition-accelerator.md) - [Human-First Incubators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/with-life-cultivator.md) - [Entrepreneur-Specific Global Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-hub.md) - [Entrepreneur-Supporting Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doordash-accelerator.md) - [Philanthropic Investment Banks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/builders-vision.md) - [Entrepreneur Support Communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hustle-cafe.md) - [Black-Owned Cannabis Business Accelerators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/growth-project.md) - [Diversity-Focused Entrepreneurs Access Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entrepreneurs-access-network.md) - [Youth-Focused Mentorship Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/career-accelerator-1.md)