Manufacturing businesses have different needs from other industries. Growth can seem out of reach when you go at it alone. But together,
both learning and business growth are accelerated.
It’s Time to Make It
Applications are now being accepted for our Fall 2026 Cohort!
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Get Unstuck and Grow - Together
When manufacturers come together in a learning cohort, something powerful happens: shared challenges become shared solutions. Our program combines the strength of community learning with one-on-one mentorship, helping you apply new insights directly to your business. With the right support, you’ll move from stuck to strategic—and build a plan for growth that works.
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A Scale Up Mindset
Starting a business takes grit. Scaling it takes strategy. Our program helps you evolve your approach with tools and frameworks designed specifically for small manufacturers. You’ll learn how to think differently, act intentionally, and lead your business into its next phase with confidence.
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Profitable Sustainable Future
Predictability and repeatability are the foundation of long-term success. We’ll help you create systems that support profitable growth and give you greater control over your future. With the right mindset and resources, your business can thrive—not just survive.
Built for Manufacturers
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Hear directly from small manufacturers who’ve transformed their businesses through cohort learning, expert mentorship, and tailored growth strategies. Real stories. Real impact. Ready to make it?
Information Sessions
We are gearing up for our Fall 2026 cohort. To learn more about the program, ask questions, and connect with potential participants, join an in-person or virtual information session in June or July 2026.
Ready to Get Started?
Applications are now being accepted for our Fall 2026 Cohort!
Cohort Program Overview
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During eight learning sessions, participants will cover business growth and sustainability topics centered around manufacturing business best practices. Core topics covered during the cohort include:
Business Maturity
Leader Introspection
Team Scaling
Market & Customer Fit
Product Lifecycles
Inventory Management
Supply Chain Stability
Manufacturing Best Practices
Disaster and Long-Term Planning
Government Contracting to Unlock Revenue
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The Make It Accelerator is founder-focused: we start with your strengths, leadership style, and impact areas. We help you build a complementary team that fills gaps, amplifies your skills, and sets your venture up for lasting success. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, we give you clarity and confidence to lead authentically and make smarter hiring, delegation, and growth decisions—so you build the right business around your strengths.
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Learning in a cohort builds momentum—mentorship makes it stick. Each participant is paired with a dedicated mentor who helps turn insights into action, tailored to your unique business.
Your mentor is more than a sounding board—they’re a strategic partner. Together, you’ll:
Apply what you learn directly to your business
Tackle challenges with expert guidance
Access specialized tools and resources when you need them
It’s a relationship built for growth—personal, practical, and powerful.
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Every small manufacturing business faces unique challenges. That’s why our team and mentors work closely with you to pinpoint the areas where targeted training and resources will make the biggest impact.
Whether it’s refining operations, expanding markets, or strengthening leadership, we connect you with the right tools and expertise to support your growth plan—and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
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When you join the Make It Accelerator, you gain more than a program—you gain access to a powerful network of specialized industry partners. Whether you're looking for technical expertise, supply chain support, or growth opportunities, we help connect you to the right resources at the right time.
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By the end of the cohort, you won’t just have new ideas—you’ll have a clear, actionable growth plan tailored to your business. It’s your roadmap forward, shaped by expert guidance, peer insights, and the realities of your unique operation.
This isn’t theory—it’s your next step, ready to implement.
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Your journey doesn’t end after four months—it expands. As a program graduate, you’ll gain a full year of continued access to our member community, where support, inspiration, and collaboration are always within reach.
Whether you're troubleshooting a challenge or celebrating a win, you’ll be surrounded by peers and mentors who get it—and who are ready to grow with you.
The Make It Accelerator from the Warehouse Business Accelerator is designed with manufacturers in mind. This focused, four-month program will help your business build a plan to long-term profitability.
2026 Fall Cohort Timing
The Make It Accelerator is a hybrid program designed to combine in-person cohort training, virtual mentor sessions, and additional customizable resources to be flexible to your needs.
Fall 2026 Cohort: August - NoVember
August 13, 2026 - Kickoff
August 27, 2026
September 10, 2026
September 24, 2026
October 8, 2026
October 22, 2026
November 5, 2026
November 12, 2026
November 19, 2026 - Graduation!
FAQs
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The Make It Accelerator ideal participant is:
A manufacturing or hard tech business
5-20 employees
Generating revenue for at least one year
Facing growing pains
A C-Suite participant with a growth mindset
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The four-month training costs $2,400, which includes ongoing business support for one year upon successful completion of the program. This cost is subsidized in part by a grant from the Economic Development Administration. Limited scholarships may be available upon request.
A second strategic leader from the business can participate for an additional $600. -
Yes! The shared learning sessions are scheduled as in-person only. However, mentor and specialized training sessions can be completed virtually.
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No. We do not require you to give up equity in your company to participate. The tuition is the only cost to participate in the program.
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No. The Make It Accelerator is a funding agnostic program. What we are focused on is that your business is sustainable and profitable long-term.
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This program requires you to regularly report revenue, capital structure, financial model, employee count, and business & product milestones. Transparency and vulnerability are key to an effective collaboration, but you do not need to share sensitive or classified Intellectual Property, trade secrets or customer details. Our staff and mentors will sign NDAs with you.
As a grant-funded, nonprofit organization, your reported data may be aggregated with other program participants for program and community impact reporting. But your data will never be shared outside of our organization in an individually identifiable manner.
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Companies who are not located in the Innovation Hub or on Forge Campus are encouraged to apply! By participating in the Make It Accelerator, you will be connected to our vibrant manufacturing ecosystem.