Accelerate

February 26, 2026 

SPONSORED BY

Accelerate helps turn community-improving ideas into transformative initiatives. On Thursday, February 26 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.

GET TICKETS > 

Applications to pitch at Accelerate 2026 are now closed. 

The Night of Accelerate

• Pitch competition

  How it works

  Prior to the event
  Individuals apply to pitch at the event and a panel of community experts select the ideas be pitched at the event.

  At the event

  • Core Accelerate: Presenters pitch to a judge panel of community leaders in their category rooms. The judges select one pitch from each of the five categories to proceed to the Finals. The five finalists pitch on the main stage 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 ($1,000) and runner-up ($500). The remaining eight presenters each receive $250. The winner and runner-up presenters are announced on the main stage after the five Core Accelerate Finalists pitch. Applications for Teen Accelerate are open through January 5, 2026.
    LEARN MORE & APPLY >
  • Technovation Accelerate: Five presenter pitch to the Technovation judge panel who selects the $3,500 winner who is announced on the main stage after the five Core Accelerate Finalists pitch.

  GET TICKETS > 

• Networking Reception

  What’s included

  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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  Showcase of Success:
  SPONSORED BY:

  

  Meet past Accelerate presenters who have transformed their original pitches into meaningful change. Hear about their journeys, how their ideas have grown and transformed, and how you can help further their impact.

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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.

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  Dare 2 Believe teen pop-up shops
  SPONSORED BY:

  

  In 2018, Tory Coats won Accelerate with his pitch to teach teens how to, “do business by doing business.” A few of his young entrepreneurs will be at the event showcasing their products and services. The pop-up shops will be located across the hallway from registration. Stop by and support these budding entrepreneurs.

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  DJs: SoundBender Institute
  

  

  The SoundBender Institute (SBI) was founded by longtime friends & DJ’s KNYCE & Step One. With over 30 years of combined experience rocking crowds in clubs, on-air radio & mobile events, Soundbender Institute is the realization of a lifelong dream for both DJs. This experience along with numerous mixshow awards & accolades has led them to develop a simple yet effective way of teaching the art of DJ’ing called “The 4 Pillars”. In just 4 weeks a student will learn the basics of DJ’ing & be ready to rock their first gig!

  SoundBender Institute was the Education Finalist at Accelerate 2023.

  GET TICKETS > 

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
  • Michael E. Bennett (LC 2009)
  • 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 >

See Sponsorship Opportunities >  (Sponsorship deadline is January 31, 2026.)

See Host Committee Opportunities >  |  Join the Host Committee >

For questions on sponsorship or host opportunities, please contact Joan Palumbo, (440) 315-1037.