How Accelerate Works
Accelerate features three pathways to turn ideas into impact.
ACCELERATE CORE COMPETITION
Panels of community leaders judge the pitches in each category and select one pitch from each of the five categories to advance to the finals. The five finalists pitch their ideas to the audience members, who then vote to determine the $5,000 winner. The four runners-up each receive $2,000. In addition to the cash prizes, all six finalists will receive a spot in the 2026 NEO SEA Change Cohort and a one-year ECDI membership.
TECHNOVATION ACCELERATE
A judge panel of community leaders select the winner. The Technovation winner receives $3,500.
TEEN ACCELERATE
A judge panel of community leaders select the winner ($1,000) and runner-up ($500).
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Applications for Teen Accelerate are open through January 5, 2026.
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.
Most of the ideas presented at Accelerate are in the early stage of development and the presenters do not have business plans or implementation timelines. The goal of Accelerate is to help them begin the process of bringing their ideas to reality. If a pitch resonated with you, you can help bring it to life by connecting with the presenter(s) at the event or post-event to offer advice, funding, or a connection. You may be the deciding factor in bringing that project to reality.
Entertainment
- SHOWCASE OF SUCCESS FEATURING PAST PRESENTERS
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.
- EMCEE
Danita Harris
Danita Harris – 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. Danita’s spiritual faith is the foundation of her initiative, “It’s Your Time to S.H.I.N.E.,” which was founded in 2016 to help others find their divine light within. Proving unwavering success, S.H.I.N.E, a 501(c)(3) organization, meets monthly as a way to provide a sisterly and brotherly safe haven, as well as outreach to individuals and community groups in need.
FB: Danita Harris SHINE | IG: shinedanita | X: danitaharris
WEB: danitaharris.com | WEB: shine-now.org - 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.
- 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 four 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.
Sponsors + Supporters
The generosity of the following sponsors, donors, and supporters make Accelerate possible.
- Sponsors
- 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 > - In-kind supporters
