04 Mar 2024

Looking to grow your minority-owned small business? Apply now to ‘Scale Up’

Welcome to Scale Up CLT, a distinctive initiative poised to empower and elevate minority-owned businesses in the Charlotte Region. For businesses with an annual revenue ranging from $250,000 to $999,999, Scale Up CLT offers an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate growth and foster lasting success.

In strategic collaboration with the CLT Alliance Foundation, Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Charlotte, and the City of Charlotte, Scale Up CLT introduces a meticulously crafted accelerator program. This initiative is dedicated to empowering qualifying businesses through a comprehensive curriculum focused on building social capital and refining business acumen.

Our distinguished team of seasoned entrepreneur coaches and mentors is committed to providing strategic guidance and invaluable resources, including curated learning content, leadership development, and exclusive networking opportunities with regional businesses and influential leaders. At the core of Scale Up CLT lies a commitment to fostering a more inclusive business environment, creating a pathway for minority-owned businesses to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Apply now to Scale Up CLT and unlock a scholarship valued at over $10,000. This comprehensive scholarship includes partial payment ($1,500) of the EO Accelerator program dues and exclusive benefits as a CLT Alliance Ally-level investor for one year. These benefits encompass participation in the Exploring Economies trip, Investor Quarterly Meetings, and Regional Insight Forums.

To qualify for Scale Up CLT, your business must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 51% racial, ethnic, or women minority-owned
  • Maintain an annual gross revenue between $250,000 and $999,999
  • Operate within the Charlotte Region
  • Complete and submit the Scale Up CLT application
  • Participate in a comprehensive interview process

Scale Up CLT is not merely an opportunity; it is a strategic pathway to realizing the full potential of your minority-owned business. Seize this opportunity to accelerate your growth, cultivate meaningful connections, and contribute to a more inclusive business environment. Apply now to Scale Up CLT and embark on a transformative journey toward sustained entrepreneurial success.

Related Content

03 Nov 2025 Mecklenburg says ‘Yes For Meck’: Voters pass 2025 transportation referendum

The “Yes for Meck” organization is pleased to announce that the countywide transportation referendum has been approved by voters in Mecklenburg County. This marks a pivotal milestone in the region’s efforts to modernize its transportation infrastructure and bolster long-term economic and community mobility. The $20 billion transportation… Read More

Speaker presenting at Boston EE 2025 event with audience and screen in background.
14 Oct 2025 Exploring Economies: Boston showcases innovation, connectivity, and collaboration

This year, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Exploring Economies trip took local leaders and members of the business community to Boston, Massachusetts. At first glance, the East Coast powerhouses of Boston and Charlotte appear worlds apart. Their histories, demographics, and urban development tell different stories—Boston, a centuries-old city with nearly… Read More

Group discussion at IQM 2025 conference with people seated and taking notes.
01 Sep 2025 CEO Harry Sideris: Duke Energy positioning itself to meet rising energy needs

Meeting future energy needs presents a “monumental challenge,” but Duke Energy President and CEO Harry Sideris is ready to rise to the occasion. Speaking at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Investor Quarterly Meeting in a conversation moderated by CLT Alliance Board Chair David Longo, Sideris reflected on his career path,… Read More