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Accelerate 2023: Citizens Make Change
February 23, 2023 @ 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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Accelerate, sponsored by Citizens, is a high-energy annual civic pitch competition. This Shark Tank-style event gives individuals across Northeast Ohio a chance to win seed money to help launch their idea to make the region a better place.
In the first round, presenters pitch their ideas to a panel of community leaders who select one finalist in each of six categories to pitch in the Finalist round to the full audience, which votes for the winner. The winner receives $5,000, and the remaining five finalists each receive $2,000 to help fund their ideas.
Technovation, sponsored by the Cleveland Foundation, is a separate contest at Accelerate for ideas featuring technology. The five selected presenters pitch their idea to a panel of judges with the winner taking home $3,500.
Thursday, February 23, 2023
4:30-8:30 p.m.
Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
(300 Lakeside Ave E)
*Note: New location this year – use the Lakeside entrance!*
TIMELINE
- 4:00 p.m. Doors open
- 4:30 p.m. Category pitches (Technovation, Quality of Life, Education) + Teen Accelerate
- 5:45 p.m. Category pitches (Cleveland Experiences & Excursions, Economic Prosperity, Health & Well-being, Social Change) + Teen Accelerate
- 7:15 p.m. Finalist competition + awards
Networking throughout the evening
View the digital program book >
Online registration is now closed. Walk-ins will be accepted at the door. Contact Maeve Frey with questions at (440) 749-1283.
