CEAP Virtual Info Session
Learn more about the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program Join Erie Arts & Culture on Monday, October 24th at 12pm for a virtual information session about the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (CEAP) on Facebook Live and Zoom.
This program is for entrepreneurs in the creative industries from Erie Arts & Culture’s 6 county service region: Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer, Venango, and Lawrence. Erie Arts & Culture administers this program on behalf of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to support creative entrepreneurs and offer resources to help grow their businesses. The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program matches eligible creative entrepreneurs with free local small business consulting services and financial resources from $500 to $2,000.
During the session, we'll walk you through the application process, review eligibility, and answer any questions you may have. After the brief 30 minute presentation, interested attendees are encouraged to stay and ask specific questions about their individual applications and businesses. Entrepreneurs based in Erie County can choose to have their applications forwarded to Erie County Redevelopment Authority's StARTup Grant, which offers up to $5,000 in funds with no additional application materials.
Click here for the application and more details
Who should attend? Creative Entrepreneurs! A creative entrepreneur is an individual who is in the process of creating or has created a new business representing one or more of the creative industries. The creative sector refers to a range of economic activities that are concerned with the generation or distribution of knowledge, information, creativity, and innovation, which is also often referred to as the creative industries. Creative industries include: Communication & marketing Architecture Visual arts & crafts Design - product, interior, graphic & fashion Digital and analog media - film, television, web & radio Digital games The performing arts & live entertainment
Publishing How to Apply / Referral Process Applicants must submit a business plan or comparable strategic document, 12 month projected budget, and a referral form from our Referral Coordinators. Referral Coordinators can help with the how-tos of starting a business, development of a sound business plan, and business growth and sustainability strategies. Assemble your business plan and budget. Sample templates for each are linked. Schedule a meeting with a referral coordinator in your region.
Eligible entrepreneurs must engage a designated Referral Coordinator in at least one consultation regarding a business formation or development activity. The Referral Coordinator will confirm that the client has demonstrated appropriate business planning as defined by the program guidelines. The Referral Coordinator will submit a completed referral form to EAC Referral of a creative entrepreneur does not guarantee funding will be made; EAC will make determinations of eligibility and availability of funds.
Guidelines and Eligibility Creative Entrepreneurs must be at least 18 years of age and a current resident of Pennsylvania for at least one year. Creative entrepreneur's business must have gross revenue less than $200,000. Creative entrepreneurs are eligible to receive funds through the Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program once every three years. Non-profit organizations are not eligible for funds through this program. Fifty-one percent of the funds available for distribution in this program will be reserved for Black, indigenous, or persons of color (BIPOC), or individuals residing in communities identified by the Small Business Administration’s low-income communities map.
Questions? Contact Casey Corritore, Program Officer of Capacity Building: [email protected]
