Grow your business.  Grow with Bridgeport.

​A 30-week accelerator for early-stage Bridgeport small businesses, with expert-led training, a dedicated mentor, and a network of peers.

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With support from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven Mission Investments Company, the University of Bridgeport invites you to propel your business forward through the Bridgeport Accelerator Program. Applications are now open for the 2027 Accelerator Cohort. The deadline to apply is November 20.

 

The Bridgeport Accelerator is built for owners ready to put in the work. Weekly attendance and active participation are required.

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Click here to apply.

 

Who Should Apply

The program is designed for early-stage small business owners who either:

• Live in Bridgeport, and/or

• Operate a business located in Bridgeport, CT

Applicants must also be able to show business revenue within the last 12 months.

 

What You'll Learn

Built to drive economic growth for every business in the cohort, our curriculum and staff provide hands-on guidance in the essentials and foundational practices that help businesses grow and last. Topics include:

• Business case development

• Finance and marketing strategies

• Sourcing funding

• Building a strong operational structure

 

What's Included

• A 30-week program featuring a weekly speaker series with subject matter experts

• Co-working space on the University of Bridgeport campus to work, meet, and connect

• A dedicated, seasoned mentor who helps you apply what you learn in every session

• Potential business funding for participants who meet the weekly attendance and participation requirements, applied to a business expense you choose with your mentor

• Access to our alumni network

 

What's Required

Attendance and participation are mandatory. We ask for your time, your passion, and your commitment to putting what you learn into action to grow your business. There is no cost to attend.

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• 2 hours per week in cohort sessions

• At least 1 hour per week with your mentor

 

Weekly attendance is required to receive potential business funding. Participants who do not attend weekly will not receive it. Participants are also expected to show up prepared for mentor meetings and apply each lesson to their business as they go. Mentors help each participant decide how the funding will be used, and payment is issued for that purpose.

 

Program Details

• Program: 2027 Accelerator Cohort

• Application deadline: November 21, 2026

• Selected applicants notified by: December 1, 2026

• Start date: Week of December 8 

• Location: University of Bridgeport campus, Bridgeport, CT

• Cost: No cost to attend

 

Our Impact

• 48 local businesses supported

• 2,000+ hours of training and mentorship

• More than $300K in funding awarded to date

 

Hear From Our Alumni

"I highly recommend this program and I am hoping that I will have the chance to continue, because I am not ready to let go of this amazing gem of an opportunity!"

Thayer Barkley,  Try Nature Too, LLC

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it really cost nothing?

Yes. There is no cost to participate. Your investment is your time, your energy, and your willingness to apply what you learn.

Am I eligible if I live in Bridgeport but my business is elsewhere?

Yes. You qualify if you live in Bridgeport, if your business is located in Bridgeport, CT, or both.

What does "show business revenue" mean?

You'll need to demonstrate that your business has earned revenue within the last 12 months. 

Is this program only for startups?

It's built for early-stage small businesses that are already earning revenue. You don't need to be a brand-new company, but you do need to have started generating sales.

How much time will this take?

Participants are required to attend a two hour per week cohort session and at least one hour per week with their mentor, for 30 weeks. [Tentatively the cohort session will be on Tuesdays from 12 pm to 2 pm.]

When are sessions held, and where?

Sessions take place on the University of Bridgeport campus. The program starts the week of December 8, 2026 and continues through the end of June 2027.

What kind of business can apply?

All kinds of business from any industry may apply excluding illegal or adult industry businesses 

How does the funding work?

Funding is awarded only to participants who attend weekly and participate actively. Without weekly attendance, participants do not receive the funding. Your mentor will help you decide how it will be used to grow your business, and payment is issued directly to the vendor for that purpose. 

Is attendance really required?

Yes. Weekly attendance and participation are mandatory. The program is built for owners who want to learn, work with a mentor, and grow their business, and the funding goes only to participants who show up each week.

Who are the mentors?

Each participant is paired with a seasoned mentor who meets with them weekly to help apply what they're learning. See mentor page at this link.

What happens after I apply?

Applications close November 21. A short list of qualified applicants will be notified to participate in one-on-one interviews.

What happens after the 30 weeks?

Graduates join our alumni network, a community of Bridgeport business owners who share connections and support. 

I have more questions. Who do I contact?

Sherri Dente, Director of UB Innovation Center, email: sdente@bridgeport.edu

 

Ready to take the next step?

Apply Now | Deadline: November 21, 2026