One of our programs - Participants earn while they learn.
Business Accelerator
This is a 10-week program that helps entrepreneurs launch and/or grow a business through training, coaching, connections, and access to funding.
10 Weeks · Business Training · Coaching · Capital Access · $3,000 in Micro-Grant Funding
THE PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Building a business takes more than a good idea.
Entrepreneurs need to understand their customers, finances, pricing, marketing, and how to prepare for growth.
The Business Accelerator brings those pieces together in one structured program and helps participants build a business that is ready for its next stage.
From business idea to real opportunity.
Participants work directly on their own businesses throughout the program.
They build the foundation, strengthen the numbers, meet people who can help them grow, and prepare to present their business to bankers, funders, and other partners.
Eligible participants can also apply for micro-grant funding to help put their next step into action. The existing program provides access to grants of up to $3,000 upon completion.
ALREADY IN PRACTICE
This accelerator builds on entrepreneurship programming already developed and delivered through our work with NENY, the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, Binghamton University, and regional business partners.
The existing model combines business education, coaching, networking, capital access, and direct connections to people and organizations that can help a business grow.
# Entrepreneurs served | # Cohorts completed
$ Funding distributed | # Businesses launched
We know how to run this program.
WHAT THE PROGRAM PROVIDES: Everything connects back to the business.
Business Training
Practical instruction covering the major parts of starting and growing a business.
Individual Support
Guidance to help participants apply the work directly to their own business.
Market Validation
Tools for understanding customers, competition, and whether an idea has a real market.
Financial Skills
Pricing, revenue, business finances, and preparation for growth.
Marketing & Branding
Tools for reaching customers and building a clear business identity.
Business Connections
Access to other entrepreneurs, mentors, bankers, brokers, funders, and business resources.
Pitch Development
Support building and presenting a clear business pitch.
Micro-Grant Funding
An opportunity for eligible participants to apply for funding toward their next business step.
WHAT THEY LEARN: The skills behind a stronger business.
01
Build and test a business model.
02
Identify the right customers.
03
Understand the market and competition.
04
Build a brand and marketing strategy.
05
Set pricing that works.
06
Organize business finances.
07
Find new ways to generate revenue.
08
Build stronger customer relationships.
09
Understand funding and capital options.
10
Build and present a business pitch.
THE ACCELERATOR
10 weeks. One business moving forward.
The program moves through three connected areas:
The existing accelerator covers these same areas, from business modeling and market validation through pricing, finances, marketing, pitch development, and capital readiness.
01 / FOUNDATION & VALIDATION
Business Model Canvas
Business idea development
Target customer clarity
Market validation
Competition
Build the right business.
02 / BUILDING THE BUSINESS
Strategic pricing
Business finances
Revenue opportunities
Customer relationships
Branding and marketing
Make the business work.
03 / CAPITAL & GROWTH
Pitch deck development
Business presentation
Connections to bankers, brokers, and funders
Preparing for capital and growth opportunities
Micro-grant funding opportunities
Get ready for the next step.
THE FULL PROGRAM
A complete accelerator, ready to run.
Format
10 weeks of instructor-led business development, with a mix of group learning, individual work, and direct business support.
Business Model Development
Participants build and refine the structure behind their business.
Customer & Market Research
They identify customers, study competitors, and test whether the market supports the business.
Financial Development
Participants work on pricing, revenue, financial organization, and the numbers behind sustainable growth.
Branding & Marketing
They develop stronger ways to position, explain, and promote the business.
Business Relationships
Participants connect with other entrepreneurs and people across the local business ecosystem.
Capital Readiness
They learn how to prepare for conversations with lenders, funders, and other sources of capital.
Pitch Development
Each participant builds a clear presentation of the business and its opportunity.
Final Presentation
The program ends with participants presenting the businesses they have spent the program strengthening.
$3,000 Micro-Grant Opportunity
Eligible participants may apply for funding to help carry out a defined next step after completing the program.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
A business that is better prepared to grow.
Participants leave with:
A stronger business model A clearer understanding of how the business works and where it needs improvement.
A defined customer and market Better information about who they serve and where the opportunity exists.
Stronger financial decisions More clarity around pricing, revenue, expenses, and growth.
A clear business story A stronger brand, message, and pitch.
Connections Relationships with other entrepreneurs and people who can help the business move forward.
A plan for growth Specific next steps instead of a general idea of where to go next.
Greater access to capital Better preparation for funding conversations and opportunities to put capital behind the business.
WHY BLOC BUILDS
Building access to opportunity.
BLOC Builds develops entrepreneurship programs for people who have historically had less access to business education, professional networks, mentorship, and capital.
The Business Accelerator brings those resources together and helps entrepreneurs move from having a business to building one that can grow.
Education · Coaching · Connections · Capital
THE OPPORTUNITY
Grow the program. Grow the businesses.
A stronger accelerator means more entrepreneurs can receive sustained support over several weeks instead of a single class or workshop.
Continued investment allows the program to provide:
More Cohorts More opportunities to participate throughout the year.
More Individual Support More time for coaching and direct business guidance.
More Business Connections Stronger links to mentors, lenders, funders, and regional partners.
More Micro-Grants More capital available for businesses ready to take their next step.
More Follow-Through Continued support after the accelerator ends.
Better Measurement Tracking business progress and long-term program outcomes.
From an idea to a business built to grow. The Business Accelerator gives entrepreneurs the knowledge, support, connections, and access to capital they need to build stronger businesses and create more opportunity in their communities.