FAQs

Scalerator NEO is a proven, cohort-based program designed for entrepreneurs and business leaders who are eager to drive immediate growth and open to learning new approaches to scale their companies. Over six months, participants build practical skills in sales and marketing, organizational development, and entrepreneurial finance.

The curriculum centers on the 3 Cs of growth—Customers, Capacity, and Cash—and is delivered by faculty, primarily from Babson College, one of the nation’s leading institutions for entrepreneurship education.

Burton D. Morgan Foundation brought Scalerator to Northeast Ohio in 2017 to accelerate the growth of companies with annual revenues between $3 million and $15 million, across all industries. Today, the program is jointly funded by Morgan Foundation and the Richard J. Fasenmyer Fund.
 

Scalerator was founded in 2010 by Daniel Isenberg, founding director of the Babson Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Platform.  Daniel is a globally recognized authority on entrepreneurship.  He has been a professor at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and Babson Executive Education, and is the author of several influential works on entrepreneurship. He is also an active investor in more than 20 ventures. 

We’re seeking ambitious, growth-minded entrepreneurs leading Northeast Ohio-based companies with annual revenues between $3 million and $15 million. Ideal candidates are eager to scale and ready to explore new approaches to accelerate growth. We welcome applications from companies across all sectors—a diverse mix of industries enriches the experience and contributes to the program’s success.

Yes, Scalerator NEO primarily serves companies based in Northeast Ohio, but we’re open to conversations with businesses located in other parts of the state.

Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the Richard J. Fasenmyer Fund fully fund Scalerator NEO to showcase the depth of high-growth potential in Northeast Ohio and to prove that growth can be unlocked through targeted education. Morgan Foundation champions the entrepreneurial spirit, and the fast-growing companies that emerge from Scalerator NEO reflect that spirit in action. By scaling their businesses, participants strengthen their communities, driving economic growth, job creation, and expanded opportunity across the region.
 

Scalerator NEO complements the range of services available to established, growth-oriented businesses in Northeast Ohio. It aligns with the efforts of regional economic development organizations that are focused on helping companies scale—and many of these partners help identify strong candidates for the program. Scalerator NEO is a vital part of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhancing Northeast Ohio’s reputation as a dynamic hub of innovation and growth.

Yes, Northeast Ohio is one of six locations worldwide where the Scalerator program is conducted:  Milwaukee, Manizales, Atlantic Canada, Rio de Janeiro and Trinidad and Tobago. 

While both programs benefit from the world-class entrepreneurial expertise of Babson College, they serve different audiences and offer distinct experiences. Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses targets companies with $75,000 to $4 million in annual revenue and is designed exclusively for CEOs.

Scalerator NEO, on the other hand, is built for companies with $3 million to $15 million in sales and engages both the CEO and members of the leadership team. This team-based approach supports broader organizational alignment and impact. In fact, several Scalerator NEO participants are alumni of 10,000 Small Businesses who were ready to take their growth to the next level.

There is no cost for the companies at this time. Burton D. Morgan Foundation and Richard J. Fasenmyer Fund fully fund Scalerator NEO to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit in Northeast Ohio.

Complete the short application at Apply Now.

A selection committee made up of regional business leaders and Scalerator faculty will evaluate the applications, conduct interviews and select companies for participation.

A diverse group of up to 12 growth-minded companies will be selected for each Scalerator NEO cohort.

No. All types of businesses that meet the revenue criteria, have the ability to scale, and are run by business leaders and owners that are committed to growth will be considered.

Yes. In addition to meeting the revenue range, the selection committee is looking for highly motivated entrepreneurs and business leaders who are committed to accelerating their company’s growth. A diverse, collaborative cohort of participants who are eager to learn from one another enhances the overall value of the program.

The company’s primary leader—typically someone with a significant equity stake—must be willing to:

• Attend all workshops,
• Engage key leadership team members in designated sessions, and
• Participate in peer-to-peer meetings between workshops.
   

Additionally, companies must demonstrate the potential to scale, meaning the ability to grow through repeatable, sustainable strategies—not solely through acquisitions or landing one customer at a time.

Interviews will occur on a rolling basis, and the selection committee will accept qualified companies on an ongoing basis, with final decisions made one month prior to the start of the first workshop. 

We are currently recruiting for the 2026 cohort, which will run from January through July.

Tentative Schedule  (Dates subject to change)

Orientation: 
November 21, 7:30 am - 10:00 am (Meet & Greet in-person)
December 10, 8:00 am - 11:00 am (Orientation held on Zoom)

Workshops: January - July 2026 (7 – two day sessions + half day finale)
January 14-15
February 11-12
March 18-19
April 15-16
May 13-14
June 10-11
July 8-9

Finale: 
July 22 ScalePlan Presentations & Graduation

The orientation kickoff and graduation will take place in person, while all other workshops will be held virtually via Zoom. 

Contact Brittany Bush for additional information.