Accelerate

January 28, 2027 & February 25, 2027 

SPONSORED BY

Accelerate helps turn community-improving ideas into transformative initiatives. Everyday citizens of all ages share their visions to make Cleveland a better place to live, work, play, and visit in hopes of winning funding and making invaluable connections to bring their ideas to life.

Applications to pitch at Accelerate 2027 will open October 1, 2026. 

The Prelims

Hosted by:
Selected applicants pitch their ideas, and a panel of community leaders selects one finalist from each category to proceed to the big stage.
Thursday, January 28, 2027
Cleveland Foundation (6601 Euclid Avenue, 44103)
4:30-8:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE
4:30 p.m. Category pitches & networking reception
7:00 p.m. Networking reception & presenter connections

The Finals
Finalists pitch on the stage at the House of Blues in front of hundreds of community leaders who vote for the $5K grand prize winner. Remaining finalists receive $2K.
Thursday, February 25, 2027
House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave, 44114)
4:30-9:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE
4:30 p.m. Teen Accelerate (Cambridge Room)
5:00 p.m. VIP reception (Music Hall)
5:30 p.m. General Admission doors open (Music Hall)
6:00 p.m. Finalist pitch competition (Music Hall)
7:00 p.m. Reception & presenter connections (Music Hall & Cambridge Room)

How it Works

• Applications

  Two Ways to Accelerate
  Accelerate offers three unique pathways to turn your ideas into impact.

  Teen Accelerate
  Teen Accelerate is a separate competition for high school students hosted by the Young Entrepreneur Institute. Any high school student can apply to pitch an idea that would make a difference in their community. Ten finalists are selected to pitch in a separate competition the night of The Finals.

  Core Accelerate
  Individuals apply to pitch their idea and a panel of community experts select the ideas be pitched at the event. Applicants are notified by December 1 if they are selected to pitch at the event. Core Accelerate is comprised of four categories:

  🌱 Climate & Energy
  Developing innovative solutions for energy efficiency and collective climate action.

  ✍️ Education & Creativity
  Advancing access, readiness, and creative expression for learners of all ages.

  ⚕️ Health & Well-being
  Promoting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals and communities.

  ⚖️ Social Change
  Increasing equity, access, and opportunities.

  An independent panel of reviewers selects the pitches that will pitch in The Prelims based on community impact potential, innovation, and a realistic implementation plan. Applicants are notified in mid-November if they are selected to pitch at the event.

  Technovation
  Technovation is an additional opportunity for tech-driven ideas for social good in Cuyahoga County to win $3,500. Applicants whose idea includes a technology component can opt in to be considered for Technovation. Technovation submissions are reviewed by a separate panel and as such, applicants may be selected for Technovation alone, the Core Accelerate category alone, or both. If selected for both, presenters will pitch twice at The Prelims – once in Technovation and once in their selected category.

  SEE THE 2026 PRESENTERS, IDEAS + WINNERS >

• The Prelims

  At The Prelims

  Core Accelerate
  Presenters pitch to a panel of community leaders in their category rooms. The judges select one pitch from each of the four categories to proceed to The Finals.

• The Finals

  At The Finals

  Core Accelerate
  The four Finalists pitch on the main stage at the House of Blues to hundreds of audience members who vote for the winner. The winner takes home $5,000 and the four runners-up each receive $2,000.

  Teen Accelerate
  Ten presenters pitch to the Teen Accelerate judge panel who selects the winner and runner-up. The winner and runner-up presenters are announced on the main stage after the five Core Accelerate Finalists pitch.

  Networking Reception
  

  Connect with innovators, changemakers, community leaders, and past presenters. Catch up with old friends and CLC classmates, and forge new relationships with changemakers from across the region. It’s a chance to mingle, share your ideas, and spark collaboration and impact for Northeast Ohio. Enjoy a host of heavy appetizers while you connect. Cash bar is available.

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  Emcee: Danita Harris
  
  

  Danita, a motivator, minister, community advocate, WKYC morning anchorwoman, and Emmy award-winning journalist, considers herself to be blessed to serve as an agent of change. Danita is devoted to her passion and purpose to encourage and empower women, men, and children through ministry as an ordained reverend.

Sponsors & Supporters

The generosity of the following sponsors, donors, and supporters make Accelerate possible.

• Sponsors

  Presenting Sponsor

  

   

  Road to the Finals Sponsor

  

   

  Core Category Sponsors

  

   

  Green Room Sponsor

  

  For questions on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Toni Holloway, (216) 592-2426. 

• Hosts

  Co-Chairs

  • Matt Kuchta, Ohio Commercial Market Executive, Citizens, Ohio
  • Kip Bollin (LC 2020, CLC Board Chair), Partner in Charge, Cleveland, Thompson Hine LLP

  For questions on host opportunities, please contact Toni Holloway, (216) 592-2426. 

For questions on sponsorship or host opportunities, please contact Toni Holloway, (216) 592-2426.