Accelerate Business

Are you ready to move your business to the next level, but not sure how to get there? The Diverse Chambers of Philadelphia have partnered to bring a business scaling program to you. Apply today to Accelerate Business. You will get the business knowledge, management know-how, and networks needed to think like a CEO, grow your revenue, increase jobs, and be contract-capable and procurement-ready to do business with Philadelphia's large companies.

*Currently accepting applications for Fall 2023*
**No previous degree or affiliation with upper education is needed.

2022 Accelerate Business Impact Report by Jennifer Rodriguez

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Once in the program, business owners have this revelation: “I don’t have to be alone.”
As a participant, you’ll be surrounded by CEOs, like you, who will become your trusted advisors.
There is also an alumni group of CEOs, living around the country, for you to connect with for advice and business opportunities.

5 ModuleS

Approximately 50% of classes are virtual.

Setting the Stage for Growth
Balancing Cash Flow & the Bottom Line
Building Profitable Sales
Getting What You Need to Grow
Putting it All Together

3-Yr Growth Plan

This is your big take away from the program, a 3-year roadmap for growth that you build, section-by-section as part of your learning process. You will be assisted by the instructor, your CEO Mentoring Group, and the multiple guest experts that participate in each of the modules.

mentoring & networks

Small sub-groups of participants meet between sessions to build community and collaboration around the learning objectives of the program. You will also receive individualized coaching and access to GPHCC resources.

view DETAILED curriculum

Apply today

PROGRAM DETAILS

Eligibility

The ideal candidate is a business owner who is tired of the status quo, looking to take action and willing to invest the time in order to scale their business.
*These requirements have flexibility, we evaluate every application individually.

Business owner +1 employee*
$100k+ annual revenue*
2+ years in business*
Existing bookkeeping system & ability to run standard reports
Time flexibility to fully participate in program
Must attend a 8-month course (2 sessions per month)
Must complete 3 drafts and one final Business Plan by the end of the course - delivering on deadlines.

YOUR COMMITMENT

Attend 13 Sessions of 3 hours each (held every other week)
1:1 meeting with instructor
Self-guided learning assignments to prepare for each session
Complete preliminary drafts for each section of the 3-Year Growth Plan
Create a final 3-Year Growth Plan
Presentation of the final 3-Year Growth Plan
Participate in 7 CEO Mentoring Group meetings
Total time commitment of up to 150 hrs. (classes + homework)

SCHEDULE

FALL 2023 COHORT

Approximately 50% of classes are virtual.

Information Session, September 20, 2023, VIRTUAL
Program session starts October 4, 2023, from 2 PM to 5 PM
Instruction: 3-hour class every other week from 2 PM to 5PM (some sessions are scheduled in consecutive weeks)
- In Person Sessions Dates: Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 29, Dec 7, Feb 7 2024, Feb 21
- Virtual Session Dates: Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 13, Jan 10 2024, Jan 17, Jan 31, Feb 15
In-person classes will take place at Esperanza College in North Philadelphia (free parking lot)
Final presentations, March 6 & 7, 2024, VIRTUAL

**In person sessions are subject to change to virtual sessions if inclement weather or situations outside our control**

FEES

Thanks to the generous support of our partners, tuition cost of $15,000 are subsidized.

Members in good standing of the following chambers of commerce can participate at NO COST:
- Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- African American Chamber of Commerce for PA, NJ, DE
- Greater Philadelphia Asian American Chamber of Commerce
- Independence Business Alliance
Non-Members: $500.00

All fees are due upon acceptance and includes all program materials.
**Proof of chamber membership required**

meet the instructor

As Director of Widener University Small Development Center, Lenin’s mission is to foster vibrant, experience oriented, market driven and economic development results. To achieve this, he supports wantrepreneurs, growthreprenuers and famlilypreneurs in their efforts to forge, temper and strengthen their business.
As former community and economic development director for the 5th largest city in PA, business consultant, trainer and small business owner, Lenin has over 14 years of experience in loan packaging, real estate development, financing, business model generation, and value proposition design.
Lenin graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Management, holds a Master of Business Administration from Kutztown University, a postgraduate certificate in Economic Development and Growth from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government and an Executive Education Certificate in Leadership and Organizational Performance from the Kennedy School at Harvard University.
Lenin is a Certified Business Advisor from Growth Wheel; a Certified Program Facilitator from a Strategyzer; and a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) from the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE).
He enjoys free time with his wife Gabriela Raful and his sons Julian and Camilo.