Free Business Acquisition Accelerator

Community Development Investors (CDI), a Washington DC nonprofit, runs a tuition-free 12-week accelerator, supported by Zelle, that prepares students and mid-career professionals to buy, run and grow existing small businesses. It is led by Archie L. Jones, Jr., Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, and focuses on owners who keep businesses rooted in low-income communities through quality jobs and employee ownership.

What you get:

• A place in a selective, tuition-free 12-week cohort
• Live instruction and coaching led by Archie L. Jones, Jr. of Harvard Business School and NxGen COACH Network
• Direct engagement with experienced searchers, business owners, lenders, investors and other acquisition professionals
• Guidance, feedback and coaching on real businesses you are evaluating and real transaction challenges

What you'll do:

• Attend live Zoom sessions on Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. ET, expected from February 2 to May 4, 2027
• Complete assignments between sessions and take part in mentoring activities
• Join select in-person meetings or events
• Complete a final project or presentation

Key dates:

• Applications opened October 26, 2026
• Applications close December 31, 2026
• Sessions expected Tuesdays from February 2 to May 4, 2027

More information:

• Your application is not complete until you email your resume to info@cdinvestors.org after submitting the form
• Questions go to info@cdinvestors.org

• Option 1: an undergraduate business student, MBA candidate or mid-career professional from a low-income or low-wealth background
• Option 2: an undergraduate business student, MBA candidate or mid-career professional who is not low-income or low-wealth but is committed to acquiring, operating and growing a business that serves a low-income community
• At least 60 percent of each cohort is selected from Option 1
• All participants must commit to Community-Based ETA principles: quality jobs, investing in employees, employee ownership and supporting the local community
• Special consideration for applicants with experience of intergenerational poverty or limited intergenerational wealth, or ties to Central Appalachia or the Mississippi Delta
• Must be able to attend all live sessions and required activities