Call for Training Specialists
September 23, 2024FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Monica Biscoe
VSJ & Co.
410.493.9268
mbiscoe@vsjandco.com
BOWIE BUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER WELCOMES THE 10th COHORT
TO ITS SIGNATURE 8(a) ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Award-Winning Hub in Collaboration with U.S. Small Business Administration Continues Commitment to Innovation and Growth For 8(a)-Certified Companies
BOWIE, MD (September 19, 2024) – After the five-year completion of 9 cohorts of the 8(a) Accelerator Program, Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC), in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and funded by Capital One, welcomes its 10th cohort of 8(a)-certified small businesses on October 4, 2024.
As America’s first 8(a) Accelerator, the award-winning Bowie BIC 8(a) Accelerator Program combines practical business training in a cohort-based group setting, practical business training with access to mentors and structured networking activities to help federal government contractors in SBA’s 8(a) business development program. Learn how to gain competitive advantage needed to successfully win more federal government contracts and generate more revenue for their companies.
“The 8(a) Accelerator Program is a game-changer for small businesses looking to break into the federal contracting space,” said June Evans, Executive Director, Bowie BIC. “Over the past nine cohorts, we’ve seen the transformative power of the program, equipping 8(a) companies with tools, resources, and strategies they need to succeed. But more than just training and development, the program fosters a thriving 8(a) community where participants and mentors support one another, collaborate, and form lasting partnerships that continue long after the program ends. This sense of community is invaluable and a cornerstone of our commitment to driving sustainable business growth for 8(a)-certified companies. This unprecedented business development program is designed to equip companies with the competitive advantage needed to successfully secure government contracts.”
The 10th cohort for the Bowie BIC 8(a) Accelerator will consist of 30 8(a)-certified small businesses who will learn from subject matter experts and various government contracting resources. In addition, participants will benefit from the experience shared during the sessions by business executives, resource partners, and successful program graduates.
“I found the 8(a) Accelerator Program to be very beneficial for my organization as we were new entrants to the 8(a) program,” said Tamika Looper, CEO, Looper Consulting LLC and Bowie BIC 8(a) Accelerator Program graduate. “This program helped me to strengthen my capture strategy and gave me valuable insights to help position the organization for future growth. I was able to connect with other participants and even gained some teaming partners along the way.”
The 8(a) Accelerator program consists of a series of seven sessions conducted over seven consecutive weeks. Cohort 10 begins on October 4, 2024, and runs through November 15, 2024. The program provides targeted networking opportunities for new 8(a) government contractors, cohort-based training focused on the development of each company’s capture management strategy, reviewing and providing feedback on each company’s implementation strategy, and pitch opportunities for 8(a) companies to present their business capabilities to senior federal contracting officials.
For additional information about the 8(a) Accelerator Program and to apply online, please visit www.bowiebic.com/8a-accelerator/
Bowie BIC is an award-winning hub for business acceleration located at the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community on the campus of Bowie State University, the oldest historically Black college or university (HBCU) in Maryland. Bowie BIC provides key business scale-up resources, customized business support, professional counseling, mentoring, and competitively priced collaborative workspace. The center’s commitment to innovation and growth is reflected in its signature business support initiatives, including the newly launched 8(a) Center of Excellence. For more information: www.bowiebic.com