Creators' Momentum Business Accelerator is sponsored by Accion Opportunity Fund. This virtual accelerator program supports creative entrepreneurs in the creative economy with learning, networking, and grant capital. Participants develop a growth plan for their business.

Creators Momentum: Empowering Creative Entrepreneurs Creators Momentum: Empowering Creative Entrepreneurs Creators Momentum Business Accelerator Accion Opportunity Fund designed the Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator, fueled by support from Etsy’s Uplift Fund, to provide entrepreneurs who contribute to the creative economy with meaningful learning and networking opportunities, along with grant capital to spark their business growth.

Applications for the 2025 CMBA closed on May 2, 2025 The Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator is an eight-week virtual program designed to provide creative entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to take their businesses to the next level.

In 2025, the program will provide 100 business owners with a full suite of impactful offerings, including: Self-paced online courses Valuable industry expertise via virtual seminars Networking opportunities with like-minded creative entrepreneurs via virtual workshops A $5,000 business grant upon successful completion of the program What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose of the Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator is to support creative business owners with economic opportunities they may otherwise miss. We know that creative entrepreneurs can thrive when given the advice, access to networks, and impactful resources that they need to bring their talents to the world.

This virtual program offers a unique combination of seminars, small-group workshops, self-paced digital education, and grant capital. Over the course of the eight-week program period, participants will create a growth plan that they can use beyond the program period to fuel the growth of their business. What are the roles of the organizations involved in this program?

The Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator will be administered and executed by Accion Opportunity Fund. Etsy is the program sponsor. What is the time commitment for program participants?

The time commitment is approximately 2-4 hours per week over the course of the eight-week program. This includes weekly virtual events and networking opportunities, online courses and assignments, and the development of a personalized growth plan for your business. A detailed program schedule will be shared with selected participants.

Who is eligible for the program?

Any small business owner who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply for the Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator: Owner of an operating business that contributes to the creative economy , including crafters, artists, makers, musicians, and other creative entrepreneurs Owner of a business that has been operational for at least one year Owner of a business with annual revenue equivalent of less than $500,000 Owner of a business employing 5 or fewer full- or part-time employees Located in any of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico Committed to completing the full program Have a business bank account Businesses designing and/or producing works of visual arts Graphic design & digital art Cosmetics & Personal Care Businesses producing cosmetics or personal care items or providing personal care services Beauty, hair, and/or nail salons Makeup production/manufacturing Businesses designing and/or producing clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories Clothing and/or shoes design and/or production Jewelry design and production Wearable accessories design and/or production Businesses designing and/or producing home décor goods or providing interior design services Furniture design & production Glassware & glass blowing Music, Video & Performing Arts Businesses engaged in creating or producing music, broadcasting, video or motion picture arts, or other creative activities performed in front of an audience Production of musical instruments Motion picture & video production Musical groups, artists, & producers Businesses manufacturing/producing food and beverage goods Businesses engaged in the art or practice of taking and processing photographs Fragrance & Candle-Making Businesses producing fragrances, perfumes, candles, or similar items Plant & Foliage Art or Retail Businesses selling plants and/or businesses designing or producing artistic works using real or artificial flowers Production of musical instruments Motion picture & video production Musical groups, artists, & producers Businesses designing and/or producing toys and other hobby goods Doll, toy, and game manufacturing Gift, novelty, and souvenir stores How do entrepreneurs apply for the program?

Applications for the Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator will open at 9am ET on April 9 . The deadline to apply is 5pm ET on May 2 . Eligible small business owners can apply through AOF’s application partner Submittable by creating a free account and completing an online application.

Which documents do applicants have to provide to be eligible? Front-and-back copy of photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, permanent resident card, matricula consular, tribal card, military ID, or trusted traveler ID) The most recent business tax returns (2024 if available or 2023) The most recent bank statement from a business bank account What if I do not have tax returns for my business?

If your business is less than 12 months old, you are not eligible for this opportunity. Business tax returns are required if you have been operating for longer than 12 months.

If you do not have recent tax returns due to specific and extenuating circumstances, please submit your tax filing extension form along with one of the following: Articles of incorporation for LLCs, S Corps, and C Corps Sole proprietorship formation Fictitious name statement or DBA City, state, or federal license to do business Relevant professional license If I have been in business longer than 12 months, can I submit a business license instead of tax returns?

Business tax returns are required if you have been operating for longer than 12 months. If you do not have recent tax returns due to specific and extenuating circumstances, please submit your tax filing extension form along with another accepted document, such as a business license. Are sole proprietors eligible to apply?

Yes, sole proprietors are eligible to apply. If I have multiple businesses, can I apply multiple times? No, each individual business owner may only apply once and is only eligible to receive one grant even if he or she owns more than one business.

Can I apply if I previously participated in or graduated from the Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator? No, if you previously participated and/or graduated from the Creators’ Momentum Business Accelerator, you are not eligible to apply again What if I am an employee at a small business or serve in a management role at a small business, can I apply on its behalf? No, employees of small businesses are not eligible for this opportunity.

Are non-profit organizations eligible to apply? No, this opportunity is only open to current owners of LLCs, corporations, or sole proprietorships. Do I have to be a United States citizen or legal resident to be eligible?

We do not request any information related to the immigration status of applicants. Applicants must answer all application questions and submit all required documentation to be eligible. We recommend that sole proprietors and single-member LLCs include their SSN or ITIN on the W9 to expedite payment processing.

Is there a fee to apply for the program? No, there is no fee to apply for this program. Submission & Troubleshooting What if I am unable to upload all of the information requested?

You must provide all documentation requested. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Visit Submittable’s Resource Page to learn how to troubleshoot this problem or reach out to Submittable’s Customer Support team with any technical questions here.

Can I make changes to my application after submission? No, you may not make any changes after the application has been submitted. If you made a mistake on your application, you can withdraw it and submit a new one.

Can I save my application as I am working on it? Yes, you can save an incomplete application to return to at a later time. Will I receive confirmation after the application has been submitted?

What browser should I use? Our platform works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported.

Please make sure you are using a supported browser. You can download Firefox by following the instructions linked here. You can download Chrome by following the instructions linked here.

Who do I contact if I’m having technical issues with the application? Check out the Submitter Resource Center or reach out to Submittable’s Customer Support team with any technical questions here. Who reviews the program applications?

AOF will review the applications. How are program participants selected? Participants are vetted to ensure they substantially meet all program criteria.

Applicants must have answered all application questions and provided all requested documentation in order to be eligible. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. How will I be notified if I will receive a grant?

All communications regarding the program will be through emails from Accion Opportunity Fund via Submittable, including the notification if you were selected to participate in the program. When will participants be notified if they are selected? All applicants will be notified, whether they are selected or not, by late June.

Who will receive the $5,000 grants and what can they be used for? Participants who are selected for the program and who graduate will receive a $5,000 grant to put toward their business growth plan that they will develop during the program. The grants will be disbursed upon successful completion of the program.

How will the grant money be disbursed? Grant funds will be transferred from Accion Opportunity Fund to the grantees’ verified business bank account via ACH. Is the grant considered taxable income?

Yes, this grant may be subject to tax reporting based on the value of the grant received. Accion Opportunity Fund will issue 1099 tax forms to all grant recipients. Please consult with a tax professional to learn more.