SEED Lab Pre-Accelerator

SEED Lab is Caravanserai’s signature 8-month pre-accelerator designed to empower a new generation of social entrepreneurs who are reimagining the future of their communities. Through a transformative blend of training, mentorship, and capital access, SEED Lab equips early-stage changemakers with the tools they need to build sustainable, mission-driven ventures that create lasting social impact.

Whether you’re launching a bold new concept, refining your business model, or exploring pathways to grow your reach, SEED Lab is your launchpad. Our program supports underestimated founders—especially from historically marginalized and undercapitalized communities—as they step into their power and transform inherited challenges through entrepreneurial innovation.

Offered in collaboration with the University of California Riverside Extension, SEED Lab is more than a program—it’s a movement to build a more just and inclusive economy from the ground up.

Who Should Apply

We are looking for emerging California-based entrepreneurs and ventures that are:

• In the pilot or proof-of-concept phase of their entrepreneurial journey

• Mission-driven, with a clear commitment to community impact and equity

• Innovative, offering fresh solutions to long-standing challenges

• Early traction-focused, already engaging with potential customers or beneficiaries

• Ready to grow, personally and professionally, in a dynamic and supportive environment

• California based

If you’re building a business that tackles a social or environmental challenge—and you’re doing it with heart, courage, and purpose—we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Receive

As a SEED Lab Fellow, you’ll take part in a comprehensive program valued at over $15,000, including:

• 90+ Hours of Cohort-Based Learning
  Interactive virtual and in-person workshops designed around your unique stage of development

• Personalized One-on-One Mentorship
  Direct support from seasoned entrepreneurs, industry experts, and impact leaders

• UC Riverside Extension Certification
  9 professional credits and a recognized certificate in social entrepreneurship

• Access to Capital Opportunities
  Access to potential funding, including micro-grants, investments, and in-kind resources

• A Lifelong Network
  Join a vibrant community of innovators, mentors, funders, and ecosystem builders who believe in your mission

Cost and Scholarships

The full program cost is $8,500. Thanks to the support of our partners and donors, full and partial scholarships are available for all admitted fellows. No one should be held back by financial barriers.

Key Dates

• Applications Open: May – August 31

• Cohort Announcement: October

• Program Duration: October – May

Ready to Reimagine What’s Possible?

SEED Lab is more than an accelerator. It’s a space for healing, building, and dreaming big. If you're ready to turn your vision into a reality and lead change from the frontlines of your community, we invite you to apply.