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Contact Us

500 W. 5th Street, Suite 800,
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

336-462-9429

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Where creatives find Direction With Speed

Hit the gas on your startup

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.  

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.

Velocity helps creative entrepreneurs

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 win a up to $10K in seed stage grants.

Who is eligible?

Velocity is open to creative entrepreneurs who have already launched 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.

How do I apply?

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. 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. Many Velocity participants have gone on to earn spots in  incubators 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.

Our Customized

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.

Ignite Your Vision

Utilize a creative mindset to understand yourself, your customer, and your market opportunity

Craft Your Message

Put knowledge into practice through marketing, branding, communication and product

Build Your Foundation

Dive into the business components through financials, legal, human resources and more

Present Your Pitch

Bring it all together through presentation and pitch. Share your business with the public and reach new audiences at Demo Day.

Ignite Your Vision
Utilize a creative mindset to understand yourself, your customer, and your market opportunity
Craft Your Message
Put knowledge into practice through marketing, branding, communication and product
Build Your Foundation
Dive into the business components through financials, legal, human resources and more
Present Your Pitch
Bring it all together through presentation and pitch. Share your business with the public and reach new audiences at Demo Day.
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Our Creative Focus

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Apparel, Fashion Textiles & Design​

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Arts & Entertainment

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Content Creators & Digital Tools

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Creative Health Tech, Beauty & Wellness

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Culinary & Food Innovation

Meet our recent

Velocity Cohort

Tiffany Thompson Headshot - Velocity 2024
Tiffany Thompson

Artistic Leadership

Katye Freelon Headshot - Velocity 2024
Katye Freelon

Coco Fro

Shauna McFarland Headshot - Velocity 2024
Shauna MacFarland

Country Cakes 'N Shhh...

Ami Patel Headshot
Ami Patel

Gallery Box

Carmen Elliott Headshot - Velocity 2024
Carmen Elliott

Iconic Images

Eric Green Headshot - Velocity 2024
E.A. Green

MOMNT Frames

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Jasmine Godbolt

Nesting Nannies

Candace Parrish Headshot - Velocity 2024
Dr. Candace Parrish

Odelia, Marie & Patrice

Susan Campbell Headshot - Velocity 2024
Susan Campbell

South 23rd

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Brittiany Jenkins

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!"

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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.”

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Preet

imagine.io

"The Accelerator was the foundation for me to build a successful creative business that I only dreamed of."

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Jenni Earle

Jenni Earle