In 2023, PRF joined forces with Sefa and Sefa Partnerships to launch a bold new initiative: a 10-month growth incubator designed to supercharge social enterprises across Australia. With Rooftop Social as our learning and evaluation partner, we worked closely with enterprise teams to strengthen strategy, leadership, finances and impact.
Our goal? Help a cohort of enterprises make a real step-change in their capacity to deliver impact—fast. At the heart of the program were the “4 Cs”: Connection, Customised input, Capability, and the potential for Capital.
The social enterprise sector is full of innovation—but not every program hits the mark. Good intentions aren’t enough. That’s why we’re opening up about what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d do differently.
This report is for funders, capacity-builders, intermediaries and anyone shaping the future of social enterprise. If you’re designing incubators or accelerators, there’s something in here for you.
What stood out
In the full report, we share ten key insights, but here are a few that really struck participants and partners:
- Coaching was the game-changer: Ongoing, one-on-one support created real momentum.
- Design for the whole team: Including leadership teams—not just founders—meant ideas stuck and change took root.
- Growth looks different for everyone: Alignment around theory of change and success measures kept teams focused.
- Peer learning needs structure: Trust and connection don’t happen by accident. They need intention and design.
We hope this report is useful to others designing capacity-building programs. It includes frameworks, quotes from participants and coaches, and links to diagnostic tools used during the incubator.
