Become a strategic leader with Accelerate Business, our comprehensive business scaling program. We empower small business owners with the skills and support needed to think and act like a CEO.

Key Benefits

CEO Mindset. Develop strategic thinking for sustainable growth.

Expert Guidance. Access to industry experts for personalized advice.

Peer Mentoring. Learn from and collaborate with a community of fellow business owners.

Custom Growth Plan. Craft a detailed 3-year plan for actionable results.

Members in good standing of the Asian Chamber for Greater Philadelphia, the Independence Business Alliance and the African American Chamber for PA, NJ, DE are eligible to apply at no cost.

"I've gone from making 12 bottles of sauce in my kitchen, to an 1,800 s.f. space where I can produce 4,000 bottles, and I'm growing."

Radhi Fernandez,
Faiya

"The financial module was a game changer for me...After Accelerate I realized the importance of really learning my numbers."

Maria Falu, Genesis Properties

"We connected with a lawyer, potential supplier and marketing help, all from our cohort group."

Edward Garcia,
Queen & Rook Game Cafe

Features

Award-winning Curriculum. Proven content designed for practical application.

Hybrid Learning. Combination of online and in-person sessions for flexibility.

Membership Benefit. Enrollment free for members of select chambers of commerce in good standing.

3-Year Growth Plan. Step-by-step guide to implement strategies effectively.

$5,000 Investment Award. Given to the participant who has most successfully proven they can leverage the program to create long-term success.

Radhi Fernández, Fayia

Ready to Scale Your Business?

Apply to our program today and unlock your business's full potential!

*Now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 cohort

apply now

Lenin Agudo, Instructor

Read Lenin's Bio

Application Process

Submit complete application
Application reviewed for eligibility
Program staff schedules intake interview
If admitted, formal notification will be sent with program documents

NOTE: Admissions are made on a rolling basis

What You Can Expect

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

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.
Growth mindset

YOUR COMMITMENT

Attend 13 sessions held every other week. Each session is 3 hours. Approximately 50% of classes are virtual.
Participants with more than 2 absences are not permitted to complete the program.
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 approximately 150 hrs. (classes + homework)

SCHEDULE

Fall 2024 Now Accepting Applications!

Approximately 50% of classes are virtual.

Information Session: Wednesday September 25, 2024, (VIRTUAL)
Program session tentative to start October 2, 2024, 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 classes will take place at Esperanza College in North Philadelphia (free parking lot)
Final presentations March 2025

**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**

*Now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 cohort

apply now