Applying for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program
Creative businesses are invaluable contributors to the commercial and cultural vitality of Pennsylvania communities.
They drive innovation, deliver products and services, generate economic opportunities, and enhance community identity. Pennsylvania Creative Industries offers the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Program to creative entrepreneurs who aspire to grow their for-profit creative businesses in ways that positively impact their communities. The program encourages participation from creative entrepreneurs across the Commonwealth, including those located in low-income, urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Bridgeway Capital works in collaboration with Pennsylvania Creative Industries as the Statewide Administrator of this program.
Eligible CEA Program applicants are encouraged to apply for both the Growth Grant and Impact Grant if they meet the requirements for each. Applicants may only receive one grant per application cycle, but applying for both does not reduce an applicant’s chances of being selected for either grant. Each grant opportunity will be considered independently based on its respective criteria.
Applicants that are both eligible and have an application that is successful in the panel review process, will receive either a Growth Grant up to $4,000 or an Impact Grant up to $17,000 in conjunction with two levels of business assistance support during the grant activity period. These grant tiers are outlined in more detail below.
Two Tiers of Grant Opportunities
The Growth Grant
The Growth Grant tier provides up to $4,000 to selected applicants pursuing business growth goals that lead to greater sustainability of the business and financial resilience of the owner. Applicants are responsible for explaining how this catalytic grant investment will help their creative business grow and thrive.
Specific Eligibility
The Growth Grant opportunity is for businesses with annual revenue greater than or equal to $10,000 up to $2,000,000.
When you click the application link, you will be directed to Blackbaud, the online platform used to manage the grant application process. First-time users will need to create a free account before beginning an application. Before beginning the application, applicants will complete a brief eligibility screening to confirm they meet the program’s basic requirements. Once your account is set up, you can access, save, and return to your application before submitting.
The Impact Grant
The Impact Grant tier provides up to $17,000 to selected applicants whose goals and usage of funds will enhance the long-term sustainability of their creative business, plus deliver community impact. The Impact Grant will prioritize applicants seeking to create meaningful community impact aligned with their business goals.
Community impact may include, but is not limited to, growing a small business in a low- to moderate-income (LMI) area; activating underutilized property in an LMI area; or creating quality jobs that offer a living wage and benefits. Applicants are responsible for explaining how this catalytic grant investment will help their creative business grow and thrive while also generating positive benefits for the community in which they operate.
Specific Eligibility
The Impact Grant opportunity is for established businesses with annual revenue greater than or equal to $50,000 up to $2,000,000.
Cohort Requirements
Impact Grantees will be required to join a peer-cohort with other awardees in the grant tier. They will participate in up to 10 hours of one-on-one business coaching and 3 virtual peer gatherings over a two-month period in which they will have an opportunity to refine their proposed usage of funds.
When you click the application link, you will be directed to Blackbaud, the online platform used to manage the grant application process. First-time users will need to create a free account before beginning an application. Before beginning the application, applicants will complete a brief eligibility screening to confirm they meet the program’s basic requirements. Once your account is set up, you can access, save, and return to your application before submitting.
In addition to the grant funds, a range of business assistance resources will also be offered to grantees based on their grant tier.
Key Timeline Information
Application opens:
October 1, 2026, 9 AM EST
Application closes:
December 31, 2026, 9 PM EST
Anticipated date to inform applicants of status:
March 1, 2027
Grant activity period:
Growth Grant Funding Tier
March 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027
Impact Grant Funding Tier
March 15, 2027 – October 31, 2027
Grant amount:
Grant Funds are distributed at either a Growth Grant Funding Tier amount of up to $4,000, or an Impact Grant Funding Tier amount of up to $17,000, in addition to business planning resources.
Creative Industries Defined
Creative industries encompass individuals, organizations, and businesses that generate goods, services, and intellectual property through creative work. This includes, but is not limited to, advertising, architecture, performing and visual arts, design, crafts, music, media and film production, publishing, and digital games. Innovation, technology, and creative expression unite these diverse sectors.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be 18 years of age, have been in business and a resident of Pennsylvania for at least one year, and possess the tax documentation needed to verify their stated revenue levels. They must also be a creative entrepreneur operating a small business as a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Partnership (GP/LP/LLP), or Corporation (C or S), in addition to additional qualifications.
How to Use the Grant
Funds must support business formation or development. Eligible funds should act as an activator to your business growth and sustainability.
Application Guidelines
Please see Application Guidelines for full eligibility requirements, examples of eligible and ineligible use of funds, and specifications for application to both funding tiers.
Now Accepting Applications
Apply for the Growth Grant
Apply before December 31, 2026 (9PM EST)
Now Accepting Applications
Apply for the Impact Grant
Apply before December 31, 2026 (9PM EST)
Take Advantage of Free Business Assistance to Create a Competitive Application
This is a highly competitive grant program, and well-prepared, thoughtful applications stand out. While working an advisor is not mandatory, we encourage applicants to download and review the application questions in advance and take advantage of free business assistance available through the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Network and Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network. Business advisors from these organizations can help you think through your business goals, refine your responses, strengthen your business case, and prepare a more competitive application. Use the resources below to connect with a Pennsylvania SBDC or LaunchBox and request assistance.
Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Network
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network provides no-cost, confidential business consulting and educational resources to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the Commonwealth. Through its statewide network of university- and college-based centers, PA SBDC advisors assist businesses with business planning, financial management, marketing, accessing capital, growth strategies, and other business needs.
Applicants can work with an SBDC advisor to think through their business goals, proposed grant activities, budgets, and other elements of their application. The network serves businesses at all stages, from aspiring entrepreneurs to established companies preparing for growth.
Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network
The Invent Penn State LaunchBox & Innovation Network is a statewide network of centers that provides free and low-cost business assistance, including startup coaching, training, legal services, product development, prototyping assistance, and other resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Applicants can connect with a LaunchBox to receive guidance that can help them clarify their business goals, strengthen their proposed activities, and prepare a more competitive application. No affiliation with Penn State is required to access these resources, and Pennsylvania-based businesses and entrepreneurs can receive services through Network locations across the state.
Grant Information Sessions
Bridgeway Capital will host a series of virtual and in-person information sessions across Pennsylvania to help creative entrepreneurs learn more about the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program.
Sessions will provide an overview of grant opportunities, eligibility requirements, eligible uses of funds, the application process, and key deadlines. Bridgeway staff will also share resources for preparing a competitive application and answer questions from prospective applicants.
In-person
Thursday,
October 15, 2026
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania
1224 N Atherton St
State College, PA 16803
Serving the following counties in the Central Region: Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union
In-person
Thursday,
October 29, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Community Arts Center of Cambria County
1217 Menoher Blvd, Johnstown, PA 15905
Serving the following counties in the Northeast Region: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset
In-Person
Tuesday,
November 3, 2026
6:30 – 7:30 PM
PA Wilds Media Lab
61 N. Fraley St. 2nd floor
Kane, PA 16735
Serving the following counties in the North Central Region: Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter
In-Person
Thursday,
November 5, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Sarah B. Campbell Enterprise Center
7800 Susquehanna St
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Serving the following counties in the Southwest Region: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland
In-person
Monday,
November 9, 2026
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 204 N Prince St, Atrium, Lancaster, PA 17603
Serving the following counties in the South Central Region: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York
In-person
Tuesday,
November 10, 2026
6:30 – 7:30 PM
NextFab
1800 N American St
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Serving the following counties in the Southeast Region: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia
In-person
Wednesday,
November 11, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Lehigh University Art Galleries
420 East Packer Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Serving the following counties in the Lehigh Valley Region: Lehigh and Northampton
In-person
Thursday,
November 12, 2026
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple
420 N Washington Ave
Scranton, PA 18503
Serving the following counties in the Northeast Region: Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne
In-person
Friday,
November 13, 2026
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Bradford County Public Safety Center
28 VanKuren Dr.
Towanda PA 18848
Serving the following counties in the Northern Tier Region: Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming
Virtual
Wednesday
November 18, 2026
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Serving all counties
This information session will be held virtually. All registered attendees will receive a calendar invitation and link to join the session several days before the event.
Virtual
Thursday
November 19, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Serving all counties
This information session will be held virtually. All registered attendees will receive a calendar invitation and link to join the session several days before the event.