WARREN, Ohio – Bridgeway Capital’s Business Growth Accelerator, a program that provides comprehensive support for entrepreneurs through expert-driven education, coaching and business-building services, is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort.
The program, which is offered at no cost to participants, will accept applications through March 31.
The Business Growth Accelerator, facilitated by industry experts in strategy, finance, legal, marketing and other fields, helps emerging and established business owners from the Mahoning Valley refine their fundamentals and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, a news release states. These entrepreneurs will graduate with clear goals – especially financial ones – and a business plan to make those goals a reality.
The Business Growth Accelerator is the second business readiness program Bridgeway Capital has offered to entrepreneurs in the Valley in partnership with the Intentional Development Group.
Through the application process, Bridgeway Capital will select up to eight entrepreneurs for an established business cohort and twelve participants for an emerging business cohort. Applicants who have been in business for more than four years, have $20,000 to $30,000 in annual revenue and work full time for their business are encouraged to apply to the established business cohort. The emerging business track is applicable for entrepreneurs who do not yet meet those criteria.
The cohorts will participate in two months of weekly sessions that cover key business topics, including marketing, legal, accounting and business planning. The educational and networking sessions – led by industry experts in entrepreneurship, including those from the Intentional Development Group – are ideal for both emerging and established business owners to refresh their knowledge, discover new practices and add resources to grow their business, the release states.
Designed for entrepreneurs with an interest in securing capital funding to elevate their businesses, the established business cohort will receive one-on-one business coaching prior to the educational sessions. Entrepreneurs will receive personalized guidance to assist them in creating a strong business plan and strategies with clear, actionable goals.
Maria Brown, Bridgeway’s senior programs manager, will lead this year’s cohorts. Brown collaborates closely with business leaders to connect them with Bridgeway’s six elements of capital readiness to aid in their entrepreneurial journey: space, capital, markets, peers, capacity and guidance. She also manages a network of coaches and consultants in finances, legal, strategy and marketing to refer to participants, as needed.
“I’m excited to work with business owners on the pathway to upward mobility,” Brown said. “This newly restructured program allows for more participation from emerging entrepreneurs, preparing them for future development opportunities. We have also retooled the journey for the established business track; the new sequencing will better assist participants in understanding the elements of a strong business model and with developing plans to guide their decision making. They’ll graduate with the entrepreneurial confidence and capital readiness needed to thrive.”
During the final phase, ongoing support is provided to the established business cohort to assist participants in applying the best practices to their small businesses. Technical assistance is available to help with financial projections, credit repair and more. Participants can also pursue funding to reach goals that require capital.
“This experience has highlighted the wealth of creativity and innovation within our local network, and it has been inspiring to see so many individuals commit to making a positive impact,” said Lisa Resnick, founder of Dandelion-Inc and a participant in the inaugural cohort in 2024. “Participating in this program has increased our focus on execution and consistency, helping us transform plans into tangible results.”
Business Growth Accelerator sessions will be held at the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County in Youngstown and the Raymond John Wean Foundation offices in Warren.
A virtual information session will be held for interested applicants March 21. To apply or sign up for the information session, click HERE.
Pictured at top: Some of the participants in last year’s cohort. Sitting, from left, are TaMyah Petty, Joe Moss II, Vickie Davanzo and Jasmine Hampton. Standing, from left, are Shae Jones, Sarah Thomas, Loretta Lane, Angella McConnell, Traci Stephens, Anntonette Avery and Jessica Jones. (Intentional Development Group)