The Lowcountry Minority Business Accelerator, presented by Bank of America, is committed to accelerating the development and growth of high potential minority-owned businesses, strengthening our region’s minority entrepreneurial community and advancing our region. The Accelerator provides opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.
Applications for the 2025 Lowcountry Minority Business Accelerator Cohort will be open throughout the year. Feel free to complete the application and contact Olivia Vernon, at overnon@charlestonchamber.org, with any questions.
Submit Your Application
Curriculum
The Lowcountry Minority Business Accelerator uses the award winning and internationally-recognized StreetWise ‘MBA’™ curriculum created by Interise. The curriculum aids business owners in developing a three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan™, which is customized to their individual business and details the strategies and tactics the owner and staff will take to increase revenue, financial management and improve access to capital.
Work One-on-One with a Mentor
Each participant will work one-on-one with a mentor to help them achieve a successful outcome through the program. Typically, the assistance provided is centered on specific goals established by the participant in their three-year strategic growth plan developed during the first half of the program.
The 2024 MBA Cohort Has Been Announced!
View ClassOur ideal candidates are tired of the status quo. They are looking to gain the business knowledge, skills and trusted networks needed to successfully grow and guide their businesses.
What are we looking for?
- Demonstrate ability to actively engage and successfully complete the program
- Business beyond the start-up phase, looking to scale
- Socially/economically disadvantaged business (minority-owned, woman-owned)
- Business must be headquartered or have a significant presence in the Charleston metro area.
Cost and Time Commitment
The Accelerator program costs $1,500 per participant. This includes all course materials and access to the online Interise MBA Content Portal. Each class participant will also be paired with two mentors for the full year and be recognized as a $3,000 Leadership Circle Chamber member. Additionally, class participants will gain exclusive access to regional business leaders and potential clients. To ensure the equity and accessibility of this program for minority businesses, tuition for the program is discounted from $25,000.00 to $1,500.00.
Applicants should expect to spend a half day each month in instruction time and monthly time with your mentor. This does not include outside time with review materials and preparation of the Strategic Growth Plan.
Please note: If you are already a Charleston Metro Chamber Member and selected to participate in the MBA program, your tuition is separate from your Chamber membership.
Applications for the 2025 Lowcountry Minority Business Accelerator Cohort will be open throughout the year. Feel free to complete the application and contact Olivia Vernon, at overnon@charlestonchamber.org, with any questions.
Submit Your Application
The Accelerator is a program of the Charleston Metro Chamber in partnership with the South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator. The SC Minority Business Accelerator is a statewide initiative formed by the Greenville Chamber, Charleston Metro Chamber and Columbia Chamber.
Funded with a seed grant from Bank of America, the initiative was designed to advance economic inclusion across the state of South Carolina by helping to reduce the economic disparities experienced by minority-owned businesses. The initiative provides opportunities for economic growth and prosperity for high-potential minority owned firms.
The inaugural class of Lowcountry MBA participants represent high-potential businesses from a variety of industries including Property Management, Logistics, IT Services, Real Estate, Food and Beverage, Media and Marketing and more.
Thank you to our Founding Partners
Thank you to our 2024 Session Sponsors
Your Chamber Staff