Raising equity.
Taking none.

We’re leveling the playing field for innovative Black- and Latino founders.

Pitch Your Startup   →

45

Startups Funded

$3.1M

Invested

156

Jobs Created

$4.0M+

Revenue Generated

$14M+

Follow On Capital

Our promise

The average pre-seed round for white founders is $105K. For Black and Latino founders, that number is $35K.

As founders ourselves, that didn’t sit well with us. So we built an accelerator model that allows Black and Latino-led startups to scale without compromising their ability to build wealth or give back to communities they love.

$70k
Capital Investment

We’re closing the gap for overlooked founders by investing the difference. This $70,000 disparity maximizes your potential for success.

0%
Interest

We know building takes time and interest can pile up. We don’t take any interest so you can grow faster, untethered to ballooning numbers.

0%
Equity

We aren’t interested in owning your company. We are interested in eliminating predatory terms so you can get to work.

Our terms are friendly, but our Accelerator is not.

We’ve done this a few times now. We know what it takes to cross the finish line.

Here are our non-negotiables:

Accountability

You know how to follow through and love to follow up. You own your mistakes and aren’t afraid to have difficult conversations.

Commitment

You understand the sacrifices and challenges necessary to turn your dreams into reality. You want to be here in Tulsa, willing to persevere through the process.

Transformation

You put ego to the wayside, openly communicating and taking feedback like a champ. You have a willingness to change for the better and won’t give up easily.

If this doesn’t match up with you, that’s cool.
We’re just not the right fit.

Build your  legacy in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Six months to act different

The ACT Accelerator is an immersive experience from the get. In Tulsa, home of “Black Wall Street,” you’ll be surrounded by a flourishing ecosystem of diverse and innovative founders. In the program, you’ll engage in hand-crafted workshops with lifelong toolkits. Do you have what it takes learn and adapt?

Phase 1:
Setting the tone

Learn the tactics and foundational concepts of how to build a successful business.

Focus Areas:

Business Foundations

— Accelerating the Impact of $70K
— Financial Modeling
— Marketing, Messaging and Momentum

Product Development

— Brand Audit and Inventory
— Split A/B Testing

Customer Persona

— Understanding the Human Experience
— Touchpoints of Value Exchange

Phase 2:
Ready to run

Show us what you learned and grow from a founder mindset to an executive mindset.

Focus Areas:

Negotiating 101

— Executive Summary and Use of Funds
— Developing Financial Models for Strategic Decisions

Navigating Partnerships

— Designing the Right Team
— PR and Marketing
— The Song and Dance with Investors

Building Systems

— Building your Data Room
— Managing Product Development

So you’ve wrapped up Demo Day, you pitched to the VCs. Now what?
You’re stuck with us.

When you’re a part of ACT House, you’re building so much more than a business. It’s darn near impossible to spend 6 months with a group of inspiring individuals without also building lasting bonds with your cohort and the ACT team. We trust you’ve got this, but this is a lifelong journey. Expect regular invites to Demo Days, VC Days, and any ACT House networking event. Our door is always open.

Real wins from real founders

Ready to launch
your legacy?

We’re gonna be honest — the ACT Accelerator is a big commitment. But we’ll tell you this, when innovators choose to take this leap of faith, they walk away with priceless skills, tools, experiences, and networks to change their world.

Start the coversation   →

Have questions?
We've got answers.

Will the accelerator be in-person or virtual?

This program runs for 6 months. It’s required for you to be in person at the Tulsa location for the first 3 months of the program and the final week of the program to prepare for Demo Day. The other times, we operate with a hybrid model.

When is the deadline to apply?

Applications are currently closed but join our newsletter or follow us on social media to stay updated!

How many companies are selected?

We choose 8-10 companies per cohort.

What are the Investment Terms?

ACT will invest $70,000 into accepted companies. This investment will come in 2 parts: an initial investment of $35,000 at the start of Phase I and a second investment of $35,000 at the start of Phase II. The $70,000 investment carries 0% interest and 0% equity, 1x payback of the $70,000 is triggered by revenue/capital raised milestones so that another founder can have the same opportunity we gave you.

We exist to raise the bar for Black and Latino founders and not only increase the value of your company but increase your ownership in it as well.

What is the format and weekly schedule of this program?

The accelerator runs for 6 months, with workshops, programming, and mentorship taking place each week.

The first 3 months are focused on incubation and acceleration while the last 3 months are focused on implementation and growth.

The accelerator is highly immersive, expect to commit 8 hours+ a week toward your company in this program.

When will this program run?

The next cohort will start in summer 2024 and end in winter 2025. The cohort will consist of 8-10 of the most promising startups around. ACT Tulsa runs 2 cohorts a year accepting up to 16 startups each year, so if this cohort doesn’t work for you stay tuned our next cohort.

Who should apply for ACT Accelerator?

This program is open to Black and Latino-led startups. The accelerator program is best suited for pre-revenue to early revenue-generating startups. (Add more descriptive explanation of how the majority of the company MUST be at least 50% owned by Black or Latino founders).

Selected companies should have a founder and appropriate team members who are available to join all program elements of the ACT Tulsa cohort and are located in or can relocate to Tulsa, OK for the first 3 months of the program.

Who's behind the ACT Tulsa location?

In Tulsa, ACT House has partnered with i2E, Build in Tulsa, the Biolchini Family Foundation, Coretz Family Foundation, and several other local and national groups to accelerate entrepreneurship and raise the equity bar for Black and Latino founders.

Does ACT provide any assistance with relocation to Tulsa?

Housing stipends of $3,000 will be provided to each company by our partners at Build in Tulsa to assist with rent and moving costs.

Is office space included?

Yes, we provide office space for you and your team for free! Office space is located in the 36 Degrees North Incubator Space in Downtown Tulsa! We also pay for parking. We want to make sure we remove as many barriers as possible so you can get to work on accelerating your company.

Can I work there past the first 3 months of in-person programming?

Yes, office space is still provided. Programming in the last 3 months is hybrid so it’s fully up to what suits you best.

I have more questions.

We’d love to hear them! Contact us at any time with any additional questions you may have at info@act.house.

Accelerator Partners

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