Accelerate

February 26, 2026

SPONSORED BY

Accelerate is a guided journey that helps turn community-improving ideas into transformative initiatives. It culminates in a pitch competition on Wednesday, February 26 where everyday citizens of all ages will 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.

Event Details
Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
(300 Lakeside Ave E)

$40 General Admission (Early Bird through Jan 31)
$25 Students
All ticket levels provide access to the full event.

Timeline
4:00 PM – Doors open, networking begins
4:30 PM – Category pitches, Teen Accelerate, and Technovation begin
5:45 PM – Additional category pitches
7:15 PM – Finalist competition and awards ceremony
Networking opportunities throughout the evening. Past Accelerate winners will be onsite to share their progress.

Applications to pitch at Accelerate 2026 are open now through December 5, 2025.
GET DETAILS > | APPLY NOW >

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

Core Accelerate
The Core Accelerate competition is comprised of five categories:

🎨 Arts & Culture

Improving lives and spaces through arts and culture.

🌱 Climate & Energy Innovation

Developing innovative solutions for energy efficiency and collective climate action.

SPONSORED BY

📚 Education

Advancing access, readiness, and success 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.

SPONSORED BY

The winner of each category, selected by a panel of community judges, pitches on the main stage to hundreds of audience members who vote for the winner.

GET DETAILS > | APPLY NOW >
Teen Accelerate
SPONSORED BY

A separate competition just 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 at Accelerate.

Prizes:
- Grand Prize: $1,000 + mentor from partner organization
- Runner-Up: $500
- Remaining 8 Finalists: $250 each
All finalists must pitch on event day to receive their award.

Applications for Teen Accelerate are open through January 5, 2026. Teen Accelerate participants’ journey is separate from Core Accelerate and Technovation Accelerate presenters. Details for Teen Accelerate, including the presenter journey and application guide, are available through Young Entrepreneur Institute.

LEARN MORE & APPLY >
Technovation Accelerate
SPONSORED BY

Technovation is an additional optional opportunity for tech-driven ideas for social good in Cuyahoga County to win $3,500. Accelerate 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 prior to the final round at the event.

GET DETAILS > | APPLY NOW >

How it Works

Individuals apply to pitch at the event.
A panel of community experts select the ideas be pitched at the event.
Selected presenters pitch to a judge panel of community leaders.
The Core Accelerate judges select one pitch from each of the five categories to proceed to the Finals.
The Core Accelerate finalists pitch on the main stage to hundreds of audience members who vote for the winner.
Teen Accelerate and Technovation Accelerate awards are also announced on the main stage.

Applications to pitch at Accelerate 2026 are open now through December 5, 2025.
GET DETAILS > | APPLY NOW >

Sponsors + supporters

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

Sponsors

See Sponsorship Opportunities >
Sponsorship deadline is January 31, 2026.
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
Accelerator Table Host
- Mitchell Balk (LC 2001), Mt. Sinai Health Foundation
- Lou Grasso (LC 2024), The John P. Murphy Foundation & Kulas Foundation
- Sonia Winner (LC 2025), Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Ally Host
- David Akers (LC 2007, CBB 2001), Equalis Group
- Rick Fedorovich (CLI 2020, LC 2015), Bober Markey Fedorovich
- Enid Rosenberg (ALI 2018, LC 2007), Community Volunteer
See Host Committee Opportunities > | Join the Host Committee >