Where creatives find Direction With Speed
Let’s chat. Join the free help desk info session June 16 at 12PM EST.
Turn Your Creative Passion Into a Thriving Business
The Center for Creative Economy’s Velocity business accelerator helps entrepreneurs develop viable businesses rooted in creativity. This 10-week, cohort-based program includes a robust curriculum, skilled facilitators, and a customized mentor team of subject matter experts from every business discipline.
- Accelerate in a program designed for existing creative businesses ready to grow sustainably
- Master fundamental business skills
- Connect through one-on-one mentorship tailored to you
- Access a network of fellow entrepreneurs and industry experts
- Pitch for a chance to a portion of $20K in seed stage grants
Velocity deadline extended to June 17, 2025
Master Business Basics Solidify Your Positioning Refine Your Pitch
Velocity culminates in a high-energy Demo Day, where creative founders pitch their ideas, engage with the community, and compete for seed grant funding to fuel their next big move.
Accelerate Their Business
Why Velocity?
Velocity gives creative entrepreneurs the structure, mentorship, and community they need to grow and accelerate their business. Through expert-led training, peer support, and real-world business tools, you’ll build momentum, gain clarity, and develop a strategy to grow a sustainable, thriving business.
The program concludes with CCE's flagship event, Demo Day, where participants will pitch for a chance to receive a portion of $20,000 in seed stage grants during Velocity 2025, including one $10,000 Velocity Award and two $5,000 Wells Fargo Emerging Entrepreneur Awards.
Who is eligible?
Velocity is open to creative entrepreneurs who have founded a business and are ready to grow. Rooted in North Carolina, we prioritize support for local and regional entrepreneurs, while welcoming applications from creative founders across the United States. Applicants should have an established legal business entity, plans to pursue their business as a full-time endeavor, and a commitment to actively participate in the 10-week program.
When is the next cohort?
Velocity is offered once annually and typically takes place August-October. The program runs for 10 weeks with all participants joining in-person weeks 1 and 10, with hybrid options for weeks 2-9.
The 2025 program will take place August 12, 2025 - October 17, 2025 with Demo Day on October 16, 2025.
How do I apply?
Applications are hosted on F6S and typically open about 4 months prior to the program start date.
Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open! Click here to apply.
What is the cost?
There is no cost to apply for Velocity. If selected, the cost to participate is $1,195 per participant. A limited number of scholarships for up to 50% of the program fee are available for those who demonstrate financial need.
Where can Velocity take me?
Velocity graduates leave the program equipped with the tools, confidence, and connections to take their businesses to the next level. Since 2016, CCE alumni have collectively generated over $30 million in revenue and created 283 jobs. 78% of CCE alumni are still attracting customers, making sales, and growing their businesses. Many Velocity participants have gone on to earn spots in incubators and accelerators in Winston-Salem and across the US. They have also received competitive grants and won local and regional pitch competitions. The skills gained and relationships built through the program continue to open doors long after Demo Day.
Velocity Curriculum
Velocity kicks off with workshops, mentor meetups, and networking before diving into a fast-paced curriculum designed to help creative entrepreneurs grow their businesses. The program wraps with an intensive Velocity Week and Demo Day, where participants pitch and compete for seed stage grants.
Utilize a creative mindset to understand yourself, your customer, and your market opportunity
Put knowledge into practice through marketing, branding, and communication
Dive into the business components through financials, legal, human resources and more
Bring it all together through presentation and pitch. Share your business with the public and reach new audiences at Demo Day.
Our Creative Focus
Apparel, Fashion Textiles & Design
Arts & Entertainment
Content Creators & Digital Tools
Creative Health Tech, Beauty & Wellness
Culinary & Food Innovation
Velocity Cohort
Artistic Leadership
Coco Fro
Country Cakes 'N Shhh...
Gallery Box
Iconic Images
MOMNT Frames
Nesting Nannies
Odelia, Marie & Patrice
South 23rd
The Flawlesskin Company
"For me and FELOH, Velocity was a catalyst! This accelerator helped me quit my job and recommit, full-time, to my passions!"
Camille
FELOH“Velocity introduced us to mentors and investors which resulted in our first round of angel funding. It stands out as a community of entrepreneurs.”
Preet
imagine.io"The Accelerator was the foundation for me to build a successful creative business that I only dreamed of."
