SEA Change, a collaborative social enterprise accelerator that provides funding, training and coaching to civic-minded ventures, is taking applications for the second round of companies that will participate in its accelerator.

Thirteen businesses with a social and economic cause participated in last year’s accelerator and eight companies went on to compete for, and ultimately received, a portion of $50,000 in total funding. Rust Belt Riders and Vineyards and Biocellar of Chateau Hough were among the top entities to receive funding.

This year, SEA Change has at least $60,000 in funding and hopes to accept 10 applicants, depending on the applications they get. “We’re looking for the best business ideas that want to improve the community,” says Mike Shafarenko, director of Civic Commons, one of the lead collaborators for SEA Change. “Last year we had a wide variety of social enterprises.” He says they are expecting about 50 companies to apply this year.

This year’s accelerator will operate a little differently than last year. “We’re redeveloping the accelerator a little bit by using different elements being used across the country,” Shafarenko says. “We’re making it equal parts training and mentorship with a lot of hands-on training and more experiential opportunities than last year.”

Those chosen for the accelerator will participate in a 16 week program of eight weeks of training and eight weeks of pitch preparation and coaching.

While the program doesn’t being until October, applications are due by Saturday, August 15 at 8 pm.