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Improved bankability and capital stack.
Increased suppy chain readiness.
maximized collaborative partnerships.
The Smart CEO™ Accelerator is an intensive 8-week capacity-building program that transforms growth-stage businesses into corporate-ready, investment-worthy enterprises
Smart CEO Accelerator Info Session
February 10th | Virtual (10:00am EST)
Smart CEO Accelerator Info Session
February 17th | Virtual (1:00pm EST)
Smart CEO Accelerator Info Session
February 24th | Virtual (1:00pm EST)
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.
Week 0
(In-Person)
Kick-Off & Assessment
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Your personalized learning pathway based on your assessment
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Your accountability partner assignment
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Your 2 alumni mentors matched to your industry and gaps
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Access to Smart CEO™ Mighty Network community
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Clear goals for what you'll achieve
What to bring: Your growth vision and willingness to be challenged
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Weeks 1-8: Every Thursday, 3-Hour Virtual Forums
Week 1
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.
Week 2
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.
Week 3
Business Operations Management Document and systematize your operations so your business can scale without you being the bottleneck. Create SOPs that actually get used.
Week 4
Cyber Security Readiness Protect your business. Understand your vulnerabilities and implement security measures that meet corporate compliance standards.
Week 5
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.
Week 6
Commercial Real Estate Strategies Make informed decisions about leasing vs. purchasing. Leverage real estate to support growth, not drain capital.
Week 7
Growing With Dynamic Go-to-Market Strategy Stop relying on referrals. Build a scalable marketing and sales system that generates predictable revenue.
Week 8
Accelerating Exponential Growth Bring it all together. Finalize your growth plan and prepare to present it to corporate partners at the Capstone.
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4 Exclusive Clinics
In Addition to Weekly Forums
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
(In-Person)
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:
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Your completed growth plan
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Corporate partner connections
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Investor-ready pitch
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Smart CEO™ certificate
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Lifelong alumni network
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.
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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 1:1 sessions to troubleshoot your specific challenges
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.
Result: You don't just learn frameworks. You build systems that generate revenue.
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.
Proven Outcomes
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 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 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 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
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.
You're a Great Fit If:
your business:
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Located in Charlotte area (or within commutable distance for 2 in-person events)
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Generating $250,000+ in annual revenue
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Operating for 12+ months
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Growth-stage: past startup phase but not yet a fully-scaled enterprise
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Ready to implement systems, access capital, or land corporate contracts
your participation
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Owner/CEO or designated leadership representative will participate
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Can commit to the full 8-week program
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Available for 1-Hour onboarding interview
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Can attend 2 in-person Charlotte events (Week 0 kick-off March 13, Capstone May 28)
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Willing to invest 6-8 hours per week (3-hour forum + implementation + coaching)
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Open to feedback, peer learning, and strategic pivots
your mindset:
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You're coachable and ready to implement new strategies
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You want to build a business that can scale without you being the bottleneck
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You're serious about landing corporate contracts or accessing growth capital
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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
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).
FREE. The program is completely sponsor-funded by corporate partners. There is zero cost to accepted participants.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Email us at smartceos@thekyracompany.com. We review applications holistically and may make exceptions for businesses showing strong growth trajectory or unique circumstances.
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.
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
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.
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Is This Program Right for You?
Ready to establish a clear path for business growth.
Eligibility Checklist:
Business operating for 2+ years
Annual revenue of $250K+
Growth-ready mindset and commitment to full participation
Located in or willing to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina