The MAC Xcelerator program is an enterprise accelerator supporting startups and small businesses led by BlPOC entrepreneurs in Nebraska and the Midlands.
$1,000 Equity Free Seed Money
Intensive Business Training, Mentoring, and Coaching
Build a Valuable Network and Social Capital
Applications are now open.
About MAC Xcelerator
The MAC Xcelerator (MAC-X) is an enterprise accelerator program designed to strengthen, energize, and support startups and small businesses led by BlPOC entrepreneurs in Nebraska and throughout the Midlands. MAC-X identifies black business leaders with impact-oriented solutions, addressing essential community needs while spurring sustainable growth.
In order to cater to a wide audience, the MAC-X program will be held biannually, with one session in the Fall and another in the Spring. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to receive financial incentives and may choose to apply for the Pitch Black competition. However, being part of the MAC-X program does not guarantee participation in the Pitch Black competition or finale.
Who can apply?
Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs lead startups and small businesses. The target audience is early-stage and revenue-generating (seed to Series A) for-profit enterprises. Applications are welcome from all industries.
Benefits Overview
The MAC-X Committee will select applicants to receive entrepreneurship and leadership training programs complemented by mentorship and network-building forums. Completion of the MAC-X program will enable cohort members to receive up to $ 1,000 in seed funds (the MAC membership fee of $100 will be deducted from this fund). In addition, all participants will have the opportunity to apply for the Pitch Black competition. They will receive equity-free business funding and other business support through Pitch Black if they become finalists.
Program Commitment
Selected entrepreneurs will participate in a hybrid enterprise and leadership training program for the duration indicated on the application form. The time commitment will be an average of 3 hours per week, including training sessions, mentorship, and network-building sessions.
Eligibility Requirements
For consideration, prospective candidates must meet the following basic requirements:
- Founder or executive of a scalable, for-profit startup
- The company must be led or co-led by BIPOC entrepreneurs (51% owned).
- The enterprise headquarters must be in Nebraska or Iowa.
- Businesses must submit their application before the due date indicated on the application form.
- May be an established legal entity that has already been in operation for six months or more or a start-up.
- The company must have been in existence for less than ten years of
- Applicants must submit an introductory video of themselves and their business or
- Individual entrants, or 51% of the owners of corporate applicants, must be residents of the state of Nebraska or Iowa.
Primary Selection Criteria
- Must demonstrate early traction evidenced in growing usage, revenue, or other
- The business should have a tangible digital or physical product or
- Potential for financial sustainability and investment.
- Demonstrate the quantifiable impact and time reach.
- The entrepreneurs must be able to dedicate themselves to program acquisition, including enterprise training, mentorship sessions, networking events, and investor
- Participants are expected to meet with program peers, MAC network members, founders, and sponsors as part of their commitment. Participants are expected to adhere to a high level of personal and professional integrity, respect for one another, and
- Participants must demonstrate a strong commitment to the program by promptly attending all training and networking sessions, submitting assignments on time, and actively engaging with mentor coaches and instructors.
- Failure to meet the minimum requirement of 80% participation will result in automatic disqualification from eligibility for business seed funding. Likewise, participants who fall below a 45% participation rate will not be eligible to receive a certificate of accomplishment.
Secondary Selection Criteria
- Applications are welcome from all industries.
- The company shall value diversity, equality, and
- Applicants must present a summary of a strategic business plan with the following components:
- Company Overview
- Mission and vision statement of the business
- Employees (team, management, and owners)
- Problem /solution, Market Analysis/Opportunity
- Products
- Target customers
- Competition (clearly differentiate your company from applicants)
- Business Model and Operations (i.e., production, delivery, and potential growth)
- Marketing plan/strategy
- Technology
- Financials/investment proposal
- Presentation is time-sensitive (must be 5 minutes maximum).
MAC Xcelerator Fall Cohort Timeline
Disclaimer: By signing up, you are attesting that you can fully participate in the program and attend the sessions on the said dates below.
|
MAC Xcelerator |
Fall Cohort |
|
Events |
Dates |
|
Launch |
Aug 22nd, 2023 |
|
Application Close |
Oct 6th, 2023 |
|
Notification Date |
Oct 13th, 2023 |
|
Week 1 |
Nov 6th, 2023 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 2 |
Nov 13th, 2023 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 3 |
Nov 20th, 2023 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 4 |
Nov 27th, 2023 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 5 |
Dec 4th, 2023 In person |
|
Week 6 |
Dec 11th, 2023 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 7 |
Dec 18, 2023 In person |
|
Week 8 |
Dec 28th, 2023 Thursday due to Christmas Holiday Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 9 |
Jan 4th, 2024 Thursday due to New Year Holiday In person |
|
Graduation Day |
Jan 12th, 2024 Friday In person |
MAC Xcelerator Spring Cohort Timeline
Disclaimer: By signing up, you are attesting that you can fully participate in the program and attend the sessions on the said dates below.
|
MAC Xcelerator |
Spring Cohort |
|
Events |
Dates |
|
Launch |
Nov 20th, 2023 |
|
Application Close |
Dec 31th, 2023 |
|
Notification Date |
Jan 12th, 2024 |
|
Week 1 |
Feb 5th, 2024 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 2 |
Feb 12th, 2024 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 3 |
Feb 19th, 2024 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 4 |
Feb 26th, 2024 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 5 |
Mar 4th, 2024 In person |
|
Week 6 |
Mar 11th, 2024 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 7 |
Mar 18th, 2024 In person |
|
Week 8 |
Mar 25th, 2024 Online (Zoom) |
|
Week 9 |
Apr 1st, 2024 In person |
|
Graduation Day |
April 5th, 2024 Friday In person |
Pitch Black Timeline
|
Events |
Dates |
|
Launch |
Jan 2nd, 2024 |
|
Application Close |
Feb 3th, 2024 |
|
Notification Date |
Mar 1st, 2024 |
|
First Round |
Mar 15th, 2024 |
|
Second Round |
Mar 29th, 2024 |
|
Third Round |
April 12th, 2024 |
|
All Hands On Prep |
April 26th, 2024 |
|
Ubuntu Mixer Date |
Jun 21st, 2024 |
|
Pitch Black Finale |
Jun 29th, 2024 |
Program Benefits
- Opportunity to apply to compete in the Pitch Black competition.
- Leadership and entrepreneurship training
- Regular virtual mentor meetings are held throughout the program to help master the curriculum and solve enterprises' specific challenges.
- Equity-free funding, mentorship, and business support.
- Opportunity to participate in exclusive networking-building forums.
- Possibility to connect and network with venture capitalists, angel investors, and impact
Selection Process
Participants in the MAC Xcelerator will be selected based on their strengths in the following areas:
- Content (business nature and industry)
- Preparedness (research and work put in)
- Pitch skills (persuasion and on-time delivery)
- Competitive Advantage and Potential for Growth (SWOT analysis)
- Overall Concept (business concept, creativity, innovation, and vision)
- Community and target market (market size and social impact)