Have an idea for a business? Builders + Backers applications are open

Powered by Heartland Forward, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, and Inasmuch Foundation, and building on the success of the first cohort, the Idea Accelerator is back and accepting applications for the Summer 2022 cohort until May 31: https://www.buildersandbackers.com/idea-accelerator-learn-more

Learn more: Builders + Backers makes impact in OKC with first cohort

In just 90 days, untapped ideas move off the sidelines and into action, creating an onramp to entrepreneurship that is accessible to everyone in our community. 

The Idea Accelerator is an entirely new approach to finding and funding ideas. No entity, formal business plan or pitch deck is required. The virtual program teaches people how to test their early-stage ideas by running a rapid experiment. Then, they provide each participant up to $5,000 in non-dilutive funding to put that experiment into action and see what emerges -- from a startup that’s ready to raise seed funding or a new brick-and-mortar business to a program or playbook for solving a challenge that can be shared with other cities. In just 90 days, untapped ideas move off the sidelines and into action, creating an onramp to entrepreneurship that is accessible to everyone in our community. 

Learn more about Builders + Backers and apply here

To get a sense of the types of ideas and ventures that emerge in the program, check out this short video featuring the Winter Oklahoma City cohort and check out this VeloCityOKC article.

Applications for the second Oklahoma City cohort of the Idea Accelerator are open now through May 31. Let’s uncover the most exciting and unexpected ideas in our city, and the creative entrepreneurs, thinkers and doers behind them. Be sure to pass this opportunity along to anyone you know who may be interested in testing out an idea!