Our Accelerator

No community can become great unless everyone thrives

What is the Cultivate Venture Accelerator?

Each year, we select a group of deserving ventures (organizations) to participate in our program. They enroll in a nine-month initiative we call a Cohort. During this time, each Fellow (participant) has the opportunity to network and discuss challenges with peers, mentors, and other local business professionals. Our ecosystem contains entrepreneurs who live in the ethical and respond to the redemptive opportunities we are given. Cultivate’s place in the ecosystem is helping people build towards the redemptive framework for the good of the city.

Each session of the cohort introduces a new theme in a highly engaging environment, and by the end of the program, each venture is better equipped to tackle roadblocks they may face.

What we aren’t

A leverage for gain: We are not a financial service, advisor or investment network.

A rescue for endangered enterprises: We do not repair damage or avert failure.

Business Advisors: Our accelerator isn't designed to provide the steps necessary to build or run a business.

Common Questions

This is an early stage accelerator for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. “Early stage” to us means it is not a startup but has a product, service, or programs and is receiving revenue. We also consider ventures that are more mature but are at a “strategic moment.” This could be a new owner, a senior leadership transition, or another circumstance that has created a “clean slate” opportunity. In those cases we are looking for evidence that the senior leader has the desire and ability to aggressively pivot at the level of strategy.

Cultivate is an “accelerator for the whole city”. We are aggressive and intentional in putting together cohorts that represent the networks and neighborhoods of our city. We are excited to see what happens when ventures of very diverse scale, industry, and leadership come together for the good of a city.

Our process is based on the teachings of Jesus and, particularly, his vision for a future where “all things are made new.” We are seeking entrepreneurs that want to align with that vision for the good of the city.

Cultivate is grateful to Praxis Labs for allowing us to utilize their resources regarding the Redemptive Entrepreneurship Framework. The definitions and explanations used by Praxis regrading this framework are insightful and clear so they are the best show of what it means to be a redemptive entrepreneur.

The Redemptive Frame is the main illustration that is used to demonstrate the shift from exploitative to ethical to redemptive entrepreneurship. Cultivate utilizes this frame to display the restoration integrated across leadership, strategy, and operations in venture creation and ongoing innovation.

Cultivate is primarily for Founders. The founder, CEO, or Executive Director must participate for the venture to be considered. Each venture may apply for a second senior leader to participate alongside the senior leaders. A cohort contains a maximum of 10 ventures and 20 leaders.

Each cohort lasts 9 months. During that time there are 5 full day sessions, two 36 hour retreats on the bookends of the 9 months, and a Summit gathering with the Showcase pitch presentation at the end. Sessions take place in and around Oklahoma City. Additionally, there will be assigned projects throughout our time together. The Cultivate Venture Accelerator has the rigor and intensity required to make lasting change. It requires priority and sacrifice.

Cultivate is “mentor driven” – meaning the focus is on relationships and the content is primarily delivered by proven practitioners. Our goal for mentors is that they simply “bring who they are”. Each cohort has specific mentors invited for specific purposes. The ask is not open-ended but normally for participation in a panel discussion one time during the 9 month cohort.

Cultivators are alumni, mentors, subject matter experts, and trusted friends that are part of the growing relational network committed to multiplying ventures across our city for the good of our city. All of the mentors and subject matter experts that participate in Cultivate cohorts are first Cultivators. Cultivators are formally invited to connect in that role by simply agreeing to alignment with the Cultivate vision as well as to connect others to the greater Cultivate initiative for our city.

Our goal is that entrepreneurs who participate in the Cultivate venture accelerator will experience and commit to:

• Personal commitment to redemptive entrepreneurship

• Ventures that multiply their redemptive impact on Oklahoma City

• Relational integration across the Cultivate community

• A tangible sense of being equipped and encouraged

• A shared vision and vocabulary that is loud and generative in our city

There is a one time $3,500 fee for the primary Fellow and a $500 fee for the second participant from any one venture. We estimate the value of the program to be $25,000 per participant. The majority of the cost is underwritten by sponsors.

A grant has been made possible by a generous investor in the Cultivate community who is committed to supporting Redemptive Entrepreneurs in Oklahoma City. As a result, each venture in the current cohort will receive a $25K non-dilutive grant (FP) or donation (NP). This is to be given at the completion of the Cohort with the goal being to further resource Ventures that have proven the potential to further impact through increased capital.

Cultivate does not ask for any equity in our ventures, nor do we make cash investments in our ventures; so for those ventures that are raising capital we assist both with strategy and connection to the investor community.

First, Cultivate is proud to play our part in the growing ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurs in our city and state. We also agree that all of our friends in that community share a desire for our efforts to result in a flourishing city and state. Cultivate is committed to promoting Redemptive Entrepreneurship, based on the teachings and example of Jesus and sharing his hope that all things are being made new. We believe that entrepreneurship can play a special role in promoting that renewal. To that end, the paradigm shifts from promoting self to loving and serving others; from Empire to Shalom; from exit to enter, from success to surrender.

The Gathering – September 10-12, 2025
Session 2 – Oct. 16, 2025
Session 3 – Nov. 20, 2025
Session 4 – Jan. 15, 2026
Session 5 – Feb. 19, 2026
Session 6 – March 19, 2026
The Capstone – April 15-17, 2026
Summit – May 6-7, 2026

Applications open May 1st

Please fill out an interest form if you are interested in applying

Invitations for the 2026 Annual Summit are live.

This is an invite only event. Please fill out the inquiry form at the link below if you are interested in receiving an invite.

It All Starts With an Interest Form!

If you are interested in being considered for our upcoming cohort please fill out our interest form and we will get back to you!