HoCo Higher Accelerator: Fast Track

If you're an early-stage founder, you’ve felt the pressure:
You have the idea.
You have the motivation.
You may even have early traction…
But turning that into a structured, revenue-generating business still feels overwhelming.

The HoCo Higher Accelerator was built to change that.

This 10-week cohort program supports idea-stage and early-stage founders earning $0–$150K in annual revenue. Through expert-led workshops, hands-on activities, and weekly progress-building, you'll learn how to lay the foundation for a business that can grow.

Every session features a different instructor bringing real-world expertise in marketing, sales, finance, legal, tax, funding, customer discovery, and more.
And yes — food is provided at every session.

What You’ll Walk Away With

✔️ A clear understanding of each building block of a business
✔️ Weekly instruction from subject-matter experts
✔️ Templates, tools, and systems you can implement immediately
✔️ A community of founders growing alongside you
✔️ A pitch opportunity during graduation
✔️ Access to local business resources for continued support

Program Logistics

• 10-week accelerator cohort
• In-person sessions
• Different instructor each week
• Dinner/food provided each session
• Built for founders earning $0–$150K

Week 1 — Welcome & Orientation

January 13
Meet your cohort, present a1-minute pitch of your business, understand the program structure, and explore the Howard County business ecosystem.

Week 2 — Customer Discovery & Market Research

January 20
Identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and determine what makes your solution unique.

Week 3 — Business Models & Pricing

January 27
Explore different business models, decide which fits your company, and understand the fundamentals of pricing your offer.

Week 4 — Legal & Tax Formation

February 3
Learn entity types, IP protection basics, and how to stay compliant with state, local, and federal tax requirements.

Week 5 — Business Finances

February 10
Understand how to read a Profit & Loss statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet — and what they reveal about your business.

Week 6 — Raising Capital

February 17
Learn how funding works, what lenders and partners look for, and what it takes to prepare for capital.

Week 7 — Marketing Foundations

February 24
Understand the essentials of attracting, engaging, nurturing, and converting leads with a strong marketing foundation.

Week 8 — Sales Systems & Closing

March 3
Learn how to find customers, manage sales activity, and close deals consistently through a repeatable process.

Week 9 — Pitch Preparation

March 10
Develop your pitch, craft your storyline, and strengthen your delivery ahead of graduation.

Week 10 — Demo Day: Business Pitch & Graduation

March 17
Pitch your business, celebrate your progress, and learn about next steps to continue growing your company.