Activating Boston’s Inner City Economy: #Acceleratebos Selects 5th Cohort.

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Transformative Culture Project

2 min readJan 6, 2017

Past Participants of Epicenter Community’s #AccelerateBos Program

BOSTON, MA — Epicenter Community is proud to announce the nineteen business concepts accepted into the fifth annual Accelerate Boston, a six-month educational program for entrepreneurs looking to start creative businesses.

For the past five years has brought over 20 businesses to market, including the first black Mass Challenge winner and the fashion platform in Forbe’s 30 Under 30. Accelerate Boston has engaged 85 businesses, 96% of founders under 40, 77% creators of color, and 53% female.

“Over the past five years we have proved that there are investable businesses in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan and we are looking forward to continue to identify economic growth potential in our neighborhoods.” — Malia Lazu

Accelerate Boston runs from January-June based on three core areas of development: Strategic mentorships with business leaders, bi-monthly classes based on a traditional MBA-curriculum taught through storytelling and first-hand experiences; and networking events, including BREAD; a transformative business development experience.

At the end of the six-month program, each company will pitch their business plan in an Investor showcase for the opportunity to receive funding from the panel of judges. Past winners have included Fresh Food Generation 2012, 19th Amendment 2013 and Beauty Lynk 2014.