From capital to contracts: hands-on support to help small businesses grow

Build Contracts. Increase Capital. Expand Capacity. Grow Confidently.

The 4C Accelerator Program is designed to support entrepreneurs in strengthening the core foundations needed to grow and scale their businesses. Through a structured cohort experience, participants will develop the tools, knowledge, and relationships necessary to pursue larger contract opportunities, increase access to capital, expand operational capacity, and build confidence as business leaders.

Over the course of 10 weeks, selected participants will engage in a hands-on learning environment focused on preparing businesses for long-term growth and procurement readiness. The program combines instruction, mentorship, and practical application to help entrepreneurs strengthen both their financial infrastructure and their ability to compete for public and private contracts.

This program is ideal for entrepreneurs who are ready to strengthen their financial positioning, build the systems needed to pursue contracts, and prepare their businesses for sustainable growth.

4CAcceleratorPromos_May7_LandingPage_Webpage-ShelbyCounty-3.png

We're Coming to Shelby County!

Stay Tuned For More Information

The 4C Accelerator is designed for businesses in construction, manufacturing, and tech services that are ready to scale. If you want to secure funding, improve your credit, or position your business for larger projects, this program is for you!

I'm Interested!

About our accelerator

The 4C Accelerator helps small and medium-sized businesses overcome two of the biggest barriers to growth: access to capital and procurement readiness.

Whether you’re in construction, manufacturing, or technology services, we provide the practical support you need to secure funding, build capacity, and compete for larger contracts.

Most recently, we proudly graduated our inaugural cohort, a community of business owners building capacity and momentum across our region.

Learn More

Workshops

apply

Contact

Upcoming Events

Who We Serve

The 4C Accelerator is designed for businesses in construction, manufacturing, and tech services that are ready to scale. If you want to secure funding, improve your credit, or position your business for larger projects, this program is for you.

TECH SERVICES

IT Firms, Cybersecurity, Software Development, etc.

Construction

Residential/Commercial Developments, Electrical, Welding, Industrial, etc.

Manufacturing

Food & Beverage, Machinery, Electronics, Automotive, Aerospace, Furniture, etc

Jefferson County 4C Accelerator

Shelby County 4C Accelerator

Program Timelines

participants in the 4C accelerator will receive

A 10-week cohort-based program designed to support business growth and development

Two focused learning tracks: Credit Development

and Procurement Readiness

Weekly instructional sessions led by experienced facilitators and industry professionals Assignments

Interactive assignments that allow participants to apply concepts directly to their businesses

Peer discussions that encourage collaboration,

shared learning, and accountability

Live coaching and hands-on guidance from our instructors and program advisors

Networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and resource partners

A $2,000 stipend provided to participants who successfully complete program requirements

Apply Now

Program Eligibility

To qualify for the 4C Accelerator, businesses must:

Operate in or serve Jefferson County, Alabama or Shelby County, Alabama
Be in Construction (e.g., general contractors, trades, design-build), Technology Services (e.g., software, IT services, platform), or Manufacturing (e.g., light industrial, fabrication, packaging)
Have been in operation for at least 12 months
Be legally registered and licensed in Alabama
Have a business bank account in the entity’s name
Have a DUNS number (or willingness to obtain one)
Have an annual gross revenue between $75,000 and $1,000,000
Be willing to share:
- 3 months of business bank statements
- P&L or basic revenue/expense reports
- Credit reports
At least one full-time team member or actively engaged founder
Be able to attend at least 75% of sessions

Frequently asked questions

Stipends are provided to support participants in strengthening both their personal financial stability and their business growth throughout the program.

The purpose of the stipend is to help remove financial barriers that may prevent full participation while also allowing participants to reinvest in their business. These funds are intended to support expenses that contribute to the stability, operation, or growth of the participant’s business.

The stipends are encouraged to be used for credit strengthening opportunities. Overall, the stipend is designed to position participants for long-term success by helping them become more financially stable while actively building and sustaining their business.

We use participant data to better understand how businesses are growing and how we can support them more effectively. This includes tracking business and program progress, improving our programs, and measuring overall impact.

We may also share high-level, aggregated insights with partners and funders to demonstrate outcomes. However, this will not include personal data such as credit information or personally identifiable information (PII). We handle individual data responsibly and do not share personally identifiable information without consent."

Applying for funding is not required, but we encourage participants to do so and be prepared when opportunities arise.

Our programs help businesses build a strong foundation, understand different funding options, and get “funding-ready.” When relevant opportunities are available, we may invite participants to apply—while making sure they feel informed and confident in the process. This goes for understanding capital and unlocking access, strengthening their financial and operational foundation, and developing the materials and confidence to apply when opportunity presents itself.

questions?

We’d love to hear from you. Whether you have a question, need more information, or are ready to get started, our team is here to help. Reach out using the form below or contact us directly, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Get In Touch!