Scale Your Business. Access Capital. Land Corporate Contracts.
The Smart CEO™ Accelerator is an intensive 8-week capacity-building program that transforms growth-stage businesses into corporate-ready, investment-worthy enterprises
Join Charlotte’s most ambitious business owners for strategic planning,
executive coaching, corporate partner access, and a proven framework for sustainable growth.
March 13 – May 28, 2026.
What Actually Happens in 8 Weeks
This isn’t death by PowerPoint. Every session is designed for immediate implementation—
you’ll leave with tools, templates, and strategies you can use the same week.
you’ll leave with tools, templates, and strategies you can use the same week.
Week 0: Thursday, March 13
(In-Person in Charlotte)
Kick-Off & Assessment
- Your personalized learning pathway based on your assessment
- Your accountability partner assignment
- Your 2 alumni mentors matched to your industry and gaps
- Access to Smart CEO™ Mighty Network community
- Clear goals for what you’ll achieve by May 28
What to bring: Your growth vision and willingness to be challenged
Weeks 1-8: Every Thursday, 3-Hour Virtual Forums
Strategic Growth Planning Stop operating reactively. Build a formal strategic plan that aligns your people, processes, and profitability. Leave with your 12-month growth roadmap.
Winning in the Supply Chain Get corporate-ready. Learn what Fortune 500 companies require from suppliers and how to position your business for high-value contracts.
Business Operations Management Document and systematize your operations so your business can scale without you being the bottleneck. Create SOPs that actually get used.
Cyber Security Readiness Protect your business. Understand your vulnerabilities and implement security measures that meet corporate compliance standards.
Growth Through M&A and Succession Planning Explore acquisition opportunities and build a succession plan so your business isn’t 100% dependent on you. This is how you create a sellable asset.
Commercial Real Estate Strategies Make informed decisions about leasing vs. purchasing. Leverage real estate to support growth, not drain capital.
Growing With Dynamic Go-to-Market Strategy Stop relying on referrals. Build a scalable marketing and sales system that generates predictable revenue.
Accelerating Exponential Growth Bring it all together. Finalize your growth plan and prepare to present it to corporate partners at the Capstone.
4 Exclusive Clinics
In Addition to Weekly Forums
AI & Technology
Learn how to leverage AI for proposals, marketing, and operations—without being a tech expert.
Strategic Finance Clinic
Master the metrics that matter: CAC, LTV, cash flow forecasting, and capital strategy. Get investment-ready.
Writing to Win
Proposal Writing Clinic Shorten your sales cycle and win more corporate contracts. Learn to write proposals that close deals.
Smart CEO™ Reciprocity Roundtable
Network with peers and corporate partners. Share challenges, offer solutions, and build your referral network.
Ongoing Support Throughout the program
2 Executive Coaching Sessions
One-on-one strategy sessions focused on your biggest growth barriers—financial management, delegation, scaling operations, or capital access.
SMART Leadership Assessment
Understand your leadership style and how to build a high-performing team that complements your strengths.
Peer Accountability Partnerships
Weekly check-ins with your matched peer to ensure you’re implementing, not just learning.
2 Alumni Mentors
Get guidance from business owners who’ve been exactly where you are and successfully scaled.
Mighty Network Community
24/7 access to your cohort, alumni network, resources, templates, and exclusive content.
Capstone Event: Wednesday, May 28
(In-Person in Charlotte)
Graduate. Present. Celebrate.
Present your growth plan to corporate partners, investors, and community leaders. This is your moment to showcase your transformation and secure your next big opportunity.
What you’ll walk away with:
- Your completed growth plan
- Corporate partner connections
- Investor-ready pitch
- Smart CEO™ certificate
- Lifelong alumni network
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Why Smart CEO™ Accelerator?
You’ve been to workshops. You’ve watched webinars. This is different. Here’s why.
AI-Powered Personalized Learning Pathways (Not One-Size-Fits-All)
Every participant starts with a comprehensive business readiness assessment that evaluates your strengths and gaps across 6 critical areas: strategic planning, operations, financial health, market positioning, team leadership, and technology readiness.
Your curriculum is then customized based on your results:
- Low in financial management? Your coach focuses on cash flow and capital strategy.
- Struggling with operations? You get extra resources on systemization and supply chain readiness.
- Strong technically but weak in marketing? Your Mighty Network path prioritizes go-to-market content.
You don’t waste time on what you already know. You focus on what will move the needle most.
Implementation Over Information
The problem with most programs? You leave inspired but don’t implement anything.
Our solution: Accountability built into every layer.
- Peer accountability partners -Weekly check-ins ensure you're taking action
- Alumni mentors -Two experienced business owners who've scaled successfully
- Capstone presentations -Public commitment to your growth plan creates urgency
Result: You don’t just learn frameworks. You build systems that generate revenue.
Direct Access to Corporate Partners
We don’t just teach you about corporate contracts—we connect you directly to the people who award them.
Our corporate partners include:
- JP Morgan Chase
- National Minority Supplier Development Council
- Women's Business Enterprise Council-West
- Regional Chambers of Commerce
What this means for you:
- Warm introductions to supplier diversity programs
- Guest speakers from Fortune 500 procurement teams
- Capstone presentations attended by corporate decision-makers
- Ongoing partnership opportunities through alumni network
Past participants have secured 20+ paid business opportunities through these connections.
FREE to Participants (Sponsor-Funded)
This program is valued at $15,000+ per participant. You pay $0.
Why? Corporate sponsors fund the program because they need qualified, corporate-ready suppliers. You benefit from world-class training, coaching, and access at no cost.
The only investment required is your time and commitment.
Proven Track Record with Measurable Outcomes
We don’t just talk about impact—we measure it.
2024 Phoenix Cohort Results:
- 100% of participants increased their professional networks
- 100% recommend the program to other business owners
- 93% average session rating (out of 10)
- 20 paid business opportunities created
- 8 new corporate partnerships secured
- Significant gains in bankability, supply chain readiness, and collaborative partnerships
Participant quotes:
- "The session gave me a clear structure for planning growth. I now have concrete steps."
- "This program exceeded my expectations. I now have a clear roadmap and actionable steps to grow my business."
- "Every session provided practical tools that I've already started implementing with measurable results."
Link previous cohort member podcast interviews
Built for Growth-Stage Businesses (Not Startups or Enterprises)
Most accelerators focus on:
- Pre-revenue startups (too early for you)
- Tech unicorns raising millions (not your reality)
- Established enterprises (you're past basic training)
Smart CEO™ focuses on the overlooked middle:
- $250K - $3M in revenue
- 12+ months operating
- Ready to scale but need systems, capital access, and corporate relationships to get there
We meet you where you are and help you reach the next level.
This Is What You’ve Been Looking For.
Proven Outcomes
You’ve been to workshops. You’ve watched webinars. This is different. Here’s why.
100
Developmental Hours
Across all cohorts, participants have completed nearly 100 hours of expert instruction and implementation
22
Corporate Partnerships
Strategic relationships secured with Fortune 500 companies and supplier diversity organizations
20+
Paid Opportunities
Business opportunities created for participants in 2024 Phoenix cohort alone
100%
Increased Connections
Every participant reports expanding their professional network and increasing collaborative partnerships
93%
Average Rating
Participants rate sessions 9.3 out of 10 for clarity, structure, and actionable insights
FREE
Program
$15,000+ value, completely sponsor-funded. Zero cost to accepted participants.
What Our Clients Say
I feel very strong and confident in my ability to lead my business toward growth.
2024 Phoenix Participant
The tools shared for scaling my business were practical and easy to understand. It helped me think bigger. I now know how to plan for sustainable growth.
2024 Phoenix Participant
I didn’t realize how much I needed this. I now know how to prioritize objectives and have a clear roadmap to execute.
2024 Phoenix Participant
Previous Cohort Member Podcast
From Kitchen DIY to QVC Success: Angel Cornelius’ Journey with Maison 276
From Football to Flavor: Randy Gatewood’s Burger Empire
360 Degrees of Beauty: NaKeitha Ross on Community and Style
Join the Next Generation of Smart CEOs.
Is This Program Right for You?
Smart CEO™ Accelerator is designed for ambitious business owners who are ready to scale.
Here’s how to know if you’re a good fit.
Here’s how to know if you’re a good fit.
You’re a Great Fit If:
Your Business:
- Located in Charlotte area (or within commutable distance for 2 in-person events)
- Generating $250,000+ in annual revenue
- Operating for 12+ months
- Growth-stage: past startup phase but not yet a fully-scaled enterprise
- Ready to implement systems, access capital, or land corporate contracts
Your Participation:
- Owner/CEO or designated leadership representative will participate
- Can commit to the full 8-week program (March 13 - May 28, 2026)
- Available for 1-Hour onboarding interview (January 27 - March 17)
- Can attend 2 in-person Charlotte events (Week 0 kick-off March 13, Capstone May 28)
- Willing to invest 6-8 hours per week (3-hour forum + implementation + coaching)
- Open to feedback, peer learning, and strategic pivots
Your Mindset:
- You're coachable and ready to implement new strategies
- You want to build a business that can scale without you being the bottleneck
- You're serious about landing corporate contracts or accessing growth capital
- You're committed to finishing what you start
Not Ready Yet If:
- Pre-revenue or generating less than $250K annually
- Less than 12 months operating
- Looking for startup funding or idea validation (we focus on growth-stage businesses)
- Cannot attend in-person Charlotte events on March 13 or May 28
- Unable to commit to full 8-week program
- Not ready to implement changes or invest time in growth
If you’re not quite ready: Join our Mighty Network community to stay connected and apply for a future cohort when timing is better.
frequently Asked Questions
How much time per week is required?
Total: 6-8 hours per week
- 3 hours for Thursday forum sessions (live, virtual)
- 1-2 hours for implementation and homework
- 1-2 hours for peer accountability check-ins, coaching prep, or clinic attendance
- 30-60 minutes for Mighty Network engagement
Plus 2 full-day in-person events: Week 0 kick-off (March 13) and Capstone (May 28).
What's the cost?
FREE. The program is completely sponsor-funded by corporate partners. There is zero cost to accepted participants.
Can I send a team member instead of attending myself?
Yes. While we encourage owner/CEO participation for maximum impact, we understand business demands. You may designate a key leadership team member (COO, President, VP of Operations, etc.) to participate on behalf of your company.
Important: The designated participant must:
- Have decision-making authority
- Be empowered to implement changes in the business
- Commit to the full 8-week program
- Attend both in-person events
What if I miss a session?
We require 95% attendance to complete the program. All sessions are recorded and available for review, but live participation is critical for peer learning, networking, and accountability.
If you know you’ll miss 2+ sessions due to travel or commitments, we recommend applying for a future cohort.
When will I hear back after applying?
We review applications within 2-3 business days. If selected for the next step, you’ll be invited to schedule a Tuesday onboarding interview (30-60 minutes).
Timeline:
- Submit application
- Application review (2-3 business days)
- Onboarding interview invitation (if selected)
- Interview scheduled for a Tuesday between Jan. 27 - March 17
- Acceptance decision within 24 hours of interview
- Onboarding begins immediately for accepted participants
What is "rolling admissions"?
We review and accept participants continuously from January 26 through March 12. This means spots fill as participants are accepted—not all at once after a deadline.
Why it matters: The earlier you apply, the more spots are available. If you wait until March 12, spots may already be filled.
What happens during the onboarding interview?
A 30-60 minute video call with our Program Manager to:
- Assess your business across 6 categories
- Identify your strengths and priority development areas
- Ensure program fit
- Answer your questions
Within 48 hours of your interview, you’ll receive a personalized business readiness report with your scores and recommended focus areas for the program.
I'm not in Charlotte. Can I still participate?
You must be able to arrange travel and accommodations to attend 2 in-person Charlotte events:
- Week 0 Kick-Off: Thursday, March 13, 2026 (full day)
- Capstone Event: Wednesday, May 28, 2026 (full day)
All weekly forums and clinics are virtual. If you’re in Raleigh, Greensboro, or the surrounding NC areas and can travel to Charlotte for these 2 events, you’re eligible.
What if my revenue is slightly below $250K?
Email us at smartceos@thekyracompany.com. We review applications holistically and may make exceptions for businesses showing strong growth trajectory or unique circumstances.
Can alumni participate again?
Alumni are welcome to apply for our advanced program, the Smart CEO™ Inner Circle, which focuses on scaling beyond $2M.
Email smartceos@thekyracompany.com for details.
What support do I get after the program ends?
Lifetime alumni benefits include:
- Quarterly CEO Roundtables with industry leaders
- Smart CEO™ Summit Early Access
- Smart CEO™ Demo Day participation
- Ongoing Mighty Network community access
- Smart CEO™ podcast features
- Reciprocity Circle events (peer-to-peer support sessions)
- Priority access to future programs and resources
- Alumni mentor opportunities
What makes Smart CEO™ different from other programs?
Three things:
- Personalized learning pathways based on your business readiness assessment (not generic content)
- Implementation over information through coaching, peer accountability, and alumni mentorship
- Direct corporate partner access for supplier opportunities and paid contracts
Plus, it’s free. Most comparable programs cost $10,000-$20,000.
Still have questions?
Email us at smartceos@thekyracompany.com or schedule a 15-minute info call.
Ready to Scale Your Business?
Applications for Smart CEO™ Accelerator Charlotte 2026 are open now. We accept participants on a rolling basis from January 26 through March 12—spots fill as we accept participants.
Don’t wait. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of acceptance.
Don’t wait. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of acceptance.
Not sure yet? Schedule a 15-minute info call
At Smart CEOs, our mission is to empower Smart CEOs and aspiring leaders by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.
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