Scholarship Applications Have Ended
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What is the Opportunity Zone Accelerator?
- 3-month, online program.
- Enhances OZ deals.
- Increases capital flow to OZ communities.
- Connects OZ investors, experts, and founders.
In this video, Shawn Hanson (one of the gracious investors in the OZ Accelerator program) discusses why he is participating and how valuable this initiative will be for both Entrepreneurs and Investors who are involved.
The Opportunity Zone Accelerator is a program designed to get you connected to OZ Investors and Educators who will help you build a plan for raising OZ capital while developing your entire business model.
How Do You Pitch?
1) Receive a Scholarship or pay to participate.
2) Receive exemplary scores in the 12-week program.
3) Score highly and get invited to pitch at the end of the program.
What's the Value?
Refine your deal based on active feedback from Investors, Experts, and Peers.
Warp speed your process through education from national OZ Experts (over $10,000 value).
Build collaborate relationships with people who can support you in making your vision a reality!
12-Weeks of Courses!
1) Opportunity Zone Experts from around the country and will teach 12-weeks of courses.
2) Each teacher will instruct a 2+ hour module with worksheets and assignments to complete.
3) Each module (listed below) will focus on a specific topic and outcome related to raising OZ Capital.
Topic: Setting the Stage & Program Overview + Using Platform
Outcome: Materials uploaded to interactive feedback software
Topic: What are Investors Looking For & Identifying Gaps
Outcome: Initial Evaluations of all Projects in Pitch Track (Set a Baseline)
Topic: Designing Your Deal to Receive OZ Funding + Social Impact
Outcome: Have an OZ Strategy Created and Mapped Out
Topic: Presenting a Compelling Market Opportunity + Social Impact
Outcome: Develop and Revise Market Analysis Documents & Data
Topic: Building a Team and the Importance of Initial Investment Commitments
Outcome: Determine Proper Team, Needs, and Strengths
Topic: Planning for Scale and Presenting Proper Financial Projections
Outcome: Develop and Revise Financial (WCSH) Documents & Models
Topic: Telling Your Story with Truth, Data, Enthusiasm, and Differentiation
Outcome: Defining Authentic Purpose, Mission, Solution, and Core Values
Topic: Recalibrating, Pivoting, and Revising Your Project and Materials
Outcome: Evaluate Additional Projects and Address Comments
Topic: Presentation Skills, Understanding the Funding Process, & Investor Mindset
Outcome: Networking (Investors and Issuers Meet)
Topic: Making a Deal and What Questions to Expect
Outcome: Answer peer and investor Questions + Pitch Practice
Topic: Getting in Front of Investors, Being Visible, and Marketing Your Deal
Outcome: Highest scores prep to present, others begin listing other places
Topic: Pitches and Breakout Room Party
Outcome: Deals Discussions are initiated + Networking
Who's Involved?
Advisors (see below) will moderate communication between you, the investors, the instructors, and your peers!
Meet the Advisors
CEO, OZworks Group » Rochester, NY
COO, OZworks Group » Peoria, IL
Impact Entrepreneur » Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Principal, VMA Realty » San Juan, Puerto Rico
CEO, The Wonder Group » Charlotte, NC
Meet the Teachers
Every Week you will be taught by a different Industry Leader (below)!
Los Angeles, CA
Auburn Hills, MI
Washington, D.C.
Charlotte, NC
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Clayton, NC
Half Moon Bay, CA
Raleigh, NC
Coatesville, PA
New York, NY
Columbus, OH
San Francisco, CA
Nashville, TN
Phoenix, AZ
How Do You Participate?
There are three ways to participate in the accelerator and each “way in” comes with a slightly different set of features.
Scholarship
Apply to be considered to participate for free!-
OZworks Group BASE Membership
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Guaranteed Accelerator Access
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Team Access to Accelerator (up to 3)
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Can View Accelerator Deals
-
Can Evaluate Accelerator Deals
-
Can List Accelerator Deals
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Guaranteed Introduction to Investors
-
Invitation to Attend Pitch Summit
-
Opportunity to Pitch to Investors
Accelerator Participant
Get ALL the perks!-
OZworks Group BASE Membership
-
Guaranteed Accelerator Access
-
Team Access to Accelerator (up to 3)
-
Can View Accelerator Deals
-
Can Evaluate Accelerator Deals
-
Can List Accelerator Deals
-
Guaranteed Introduction to Investors
-
Invitation to Attend Pitch Summit
-
Opportunity to Pitch to Investors
Additional Terms — >> is included if scores meet exemplary thresholds set by advisory committee (based on 12-week module participation).
Terms for Scholarship — Scholarships for Cohort 2 are only available until May 31st, 2023. Not all applications will be accepted. Our advisory committee will review applications and recipients will be announced in July. All applicants will receive FREE access to OZworks Group BASE Membership for a limited time. — * is included if applicant is accepted into Accelerator.
Education
Susan Springsteen (President of H2O Connected — Coatesville, Pennsylvania) discusses the value of the Opportunity Zone Accelerator and importance of OZ education.
Relationships
DJ Lampitt (a leader in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Puerto Rico) describes how Opportunity Zones can be a conduit for capital flow.
Capital
Why are investors participating in the Opportunity Zone Accelerator program? Shawn Hanson (OZ Accelerator Investor) explains why he has committed to OZs.
Scholarship Applications Are Closed
Learn how to receive OZ investment and earn an opportunity to pitch to investors!
Still Have Questions?
- Get all the details by checking out this video replay announcement from our live Zoom info session.
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