About Venture Forward Accelerator Program
The Venture Forward Accelerator is The Empowered CEO™ Institute’s expansion and advanced growth program for entrepreneurs who are ready for deeper, targeted learning beyond foundational training.
Designed to complement and extend what owners may have gained in other programs, it offers specialized cohorts in areas such as construction, artificial intelligence, and access to capital that provide advanced tools, sector-specific insights, and real-world application through instruction from seasoned subject matter experts.
The program delivers structured learning experiences that combine best practices with practical implementation. While priority enrollment is given to graduates of The Empowered CEO™ Institute programs, the Accelerator is open to other growth-stage business owners who meet readiness criteria and seek to refine their business models and apply innovation more intentionally.
This continuum of support reinforces measurable business growth, long-term sustainability, and a culture of continuous improvement, strategic leadership, and resilient enterprise development.
Designed to complement and extend what owners may have gained in other programs, it offers specialized cohorts in areas such as construction, artificial intelligence, and access to capital that provide advanced tools, sector-specific insights, and real-world application through instruction from seasoned subject matter experts.
The program delivers structured learning experiences that combine best practices with practical implementation. While priority enrollment is given to graduates of The Empowered CEO™ Institute programs, the Accelerator is open to other growth-stage business owners who meet readiness criteria and seek to refine their business models and apply innovation more intentionally.
This continuum of support reinforces measurable business growth, long-term sustainability, and a culture of continuous improvement, strategic leadership, and resilient enterprise development.
Why Venture Forward Accelerator
Our program goes beyond foundational training by offering:
- Specialized cohort tracks in high-growth sectors
- Targeted, advanced learning for scaling businesses
- Expert-led, real-world instruction
- Structured implementation to drive measurable outcomes
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants to any VFA track must meet the following baseline criteria.
Business Status
Business Status
- Must operate an active, legally registered business (sole proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp, partnership, or corporation)
- Business must be operational for a minimum of 6 months at the time of application
- Business must be headquartered or primarily operating in Dallas County
- Preference given to businesses with 1–50 employees (micro to small enterprise range)
- Applicant must be the business owner, co-owner, or a senior decision-maker with authority to implement operational and strategic changes
- Employees or staff members applying on behalf of a business owner will not be accepted without explicit written authorization and co-enrollment of the owner
- Open to all industries for Track 1 (AI Playbook) and Track 2 (Banker's Blueprint)
- Track 3 (Beyond Build) carries additional industry-specific requirements (see Section 4)
- Applicant must be able to commit to all 8 weeks of the program
- Participants are expected to attend weekly live sessions, complete LMS self-paced modules, and dedicate time to lab and application assignments outside of class
- Estimated weekly time commitment: 8–10 hours per week (live instruction + self-paced + application work)
- Participants who miss more than 2 live sessions without prior notice may be removed from the cohort
- Must have access to a personal computer or laptop (tablet may be acceptable with instructor approval)
- Must have a reliable internet connection capable of supporting video conferencing
- Must have or be willing to create a free account in at least one AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini) prior to Week 1
- Must have an active email address checked regularly
Program Investment
Program Investment
- $150 for Members
- $250 for Non-Members
Additional Cohorts
Coming Soon: Additional Cohorts
We are also preparing to launch two highly anticipated programs:
We are also preparing to launch two highly anticipated programs:
- Beyond Build – Designed for entrepreneurs in the construction industry ready to scale operations and increase capacity
- Bankers Blueprint – Focused on demystifying access to capital and strengthening financial positioning for business growth
