CDI Community-Based Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (CETA) Accelerator 2027 – YOA

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Applications are open for the CDI Community-Based Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (CETA) Accelerator 2027. Community Development Investors (CDI)  in partnership with Zelle® provides an intensive 12-week CETA Accelerator for college students and mid-profession professionals. The program is designed to organize aspiring entrepreneurs to accumulate, function, and develop present small companies whereas creating lasting financial OPPORTUNITY for staff and communities.

Participants will transfer via the complete acquisition journey and mix sensible instruction with arms-on teaching and assist for members fascinated by pursuing actual acquisition alternatives. 

Cost

• The CDI Accelerator is a selective, tuition-free program designed particularly for rising entrepreneurs. 

Eligibility

All members should decide to the rules of Community-Based Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (CETA) by incorporating group improvement into their lengthy-time period enterprise possession strategy, together with creating high quality jobs, investing in workers, supporting native organizations, partaking in civic life, and contributing to the lengthy-time period prosperity of the communities they serve.

Applicants should additionally meet one of many following eligibility necessities: 

• ​Option 1: Be an undergraduate enterprise scholar, MBA candidate or mid-profession skilled from a low-earnings or low-wealth background; or
• Option 2: Be an undergraduate enterprise scholar, MBA candidate or mid-profession skilled who doesn’t meet the low-earnings or low-wealth standards however demonstrates a dedication to buying, working, and rising a enterprise that serves and strengthens a low-earnings group. 

To make sure that the accelerator stays centered on increasing entry to enterprise possession, CDI is dedicated to choosing not less than 60 p.c of every cohort from Option 1. The remaining members could also be chosen from both eligibility pathway primarily based on the energy of their application, dedication to CETA, and potential to create lasting financial alternative in underserved communities. 

Application

The Accelerator is predicted to fulfill on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, starting February 2 and ending May 4, 2027. To guarantee candidates could make an knowledgeable dedication, the ultimate schedule, together with any weeks and not using a session, might be offered earlier than chosen candidates are required to simply accept admission.

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to CETA Accelerator.