Learnings from the other side of an accelerator program

In the Spring of 2018, I was approached about collaborating on a new project being presented by New York City’s Department of Small Business Services and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

The project came about from the City looking to further their support to creative businesses. Media & Entertainment in New York contributes an estimated $9.1 billion to the city’s local economy and employs over 385,000 jobs.

Following a collaborative research process with business owners and industry experts in the media & entertainment community across New York City, the project proposed by the City was to design an accelerator program for a cohort of media & entertainment companies working across live events, marketing & advertising, and media tech.

Stepping into my first meeting with the team working on the program’s pilot edition, I learned it was to be titled the Accelerator for Media Pros — AMP NYC.

Fast Forward

It’s June 2019, and our second cohort have just finished their 10 week journeys in the program, culminating in a 2-part graduation day at the Made in NY Media Center: pitch presentations to their peers, mentors, and the program team, followed by a demo night showcase to industry, partners, alumni, friends, and family.