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Impact Grants are non-dilutive cash awards totaling $40,000, given to outstanding founders in NEC’s Fall 2025 accelerator cohorts. These awards celebrate founders who demonstrate exceptional potential. 

How much funding is available?

We are awarding three grants:

• 1st Place: $25,000
• 2nd Place: $10,000
• 3rd Place: $5,000

Additionally, in-kind services will be awarded to winners.

Only founders accepted into one of the EC’s Fall 2025 accelerators are eligible:

• Twendé
• TakeOff
• InFlight
• Project Healthcare
• Project FinTech

You must be actively participating in the program and submit a written application mid-program to be considered.

1. Mid-Program: Founders will complete a written application detailing their traction, impact, use of funds, and program engagement.
2. Review Panel: Applications will be reviewed by a judging committee of NEC CEO, board members, and select partners.
3. Winners Announced: All awards will be announced during Winter Nashville Entrepreneur Day.

A scoring rubric will evaluate each applicant on:

• Clarity of vision
• Execution and use of funds
• Traction or business validation
• Growth and coachability

Most programs require a minimum 3-hour weekly commitment through a mix of live sessions, mentorship, and work time.

Our accelerators are open to founders based in Middle Tennessee or connected to the region through business, customers, or capital. Each program has specific stage or industry requirements, which you can find on the individual program pages.

• In-person: TakeOff, Twendé, and InFlight meet weekly in person at the NEC in downtown Nashville.
• Hybrid: Project FinTech and Project Healthcare run virtually with required in-person visits to Nashville at key points in the program.
• PreFlight is virtual and on-demand only.

 Yes, each program has a unique pricing structure based on its design and depth of support.

• Twendé is fully sponsored and free for participants.
• Other programs range in cost. Details are listed on each program’s individual page.

Yes! Our common application allows us to direct you to the best-fit accelerator based on your goals and stage

Yes—with a few guidelines:

• Your program tuition covers one founder and the business.
• If you’d like to have a co-founder participate as well, they may join at 50% of the full tuition.
• Key team members (like a CTO or CMO) may attend select sessions where their expertise is directly relevant, but participation should be limited.
• You may designate up to two primary founders total.

Yes! Limited financial assistance is available and is based on founder need. The needs assessment is included in the Program Application.

Thanks to the generous corporate partners and grant funding, we do not take equity from founders.

It may be that there are several programs that fit your business. If you’re unsure, connect with our program team and we will guide you to the best fit based on your immediate needs and goals.

The EC utilizes a holistic selection process and selection committee for each program to ensure we select promising founders based on program fit and alignment with our criteria.