At Accelerant Research, we’ve always believed that innovation starts with curiosity—and that the best research doesn’t just answer questions, it sparks new ones. That’s why we’re taking a proactive approach to shape the future of our industry by launching self-funded research initiatives in two high-impact areas: partnerships with nonprofits and cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence (AI).

This dual focus allows us to expand our expertise, give back to communities, and ensure our team is always operating at the forefront of market and UX research.

Partnering with Purpose: Research for Nonprofits

We know that insights can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. Unfortunately, many nonprofits—despite doing incredible work—don’t always have the resources to conduct in-depth, data-driven research. By self-funding projects with mission-driven organizations, we’re helping close that gap.

Through these collaborations, we provide nonprofits with actionable findings that help them:

• Better understand the needs of their audiences
• Improve program design and outreach
• Strengthen fundraising and donor engagement strategies

For us, these partnerships are more than just projects—they’re opportunities to use our expertise to support causes that make a real difference.

Exploring What’s Next: Research in AI and Emerging Technology

The research industry is evolving fast, and AI is one of the most transformative forces driving that change. From streamlining survey creation to generating richer, faster analysis, AI is reshaping how insights are uncovered and applied.

Our self-funded AI research allows us to:

• Test emerging tools and platforms in real-world scenarios
• Understand how consumers perceive and interact with AI-driven products and experiences
• Develop new methodologies that blend human expertise with AI capabilities

By investing in this work, we’re not waiting for change to happen—we’re helping lead it.

Why This Matters for Our Clients (and the Industry)

Self-funded research is about more than staying busy between client projects—it’s about future-proofing our expertise. By continuously testing new methods and exploring under-researched areas, we:

• Keep our team’s skills sharp and innovative
• Provide clients with insights informed by the latest trends and technologies
• Contribute thought leadership to the broader research community

This approach ensures that when clients come to us with complex challenges, we’re already equipped with tested strategies and forward-thinking solutions.

At Accelerant, we don’t just follow the conversation—we help start it. Our self-funded research in nonprofit work and AI is one way we’re living that commitment, using curiosity and innovation to fuel progress for our clients, our communities, and our industry.