LISC Digital Growth Accelerator
Join our mission to help 100,000 small businesses achieve 2X growth
Closing the wealth gap in underserved communities
The LISC Digital Growth Accelerator is a 7-week program driven by LISC and powered by IXL Center, designed to support cohorts of 30 underrepresented and underserved small businesses to strengthen their core business, explore new growth opportunities, and double their revenue.
Businesses are paired with teams of graduate students who collaborate to develop the best solutions and action plans, under the guidance of experienced IXL mentors, to achieve the program's outcomes.
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Program Overview: Transforming Businesses in 7 Weeks
Improve Current Business
Create New Offerings
Drive Results
![0222ac8b-310f-4aa6-b1aa-eadb1cbd285d 0222ac8b-310f-4aa6-b1aa-eadb1cbd285d](https://lisc.ixl-center.com/hubfs/0222ac8b-310f-4aa6-b1aa-eadb1cbd285d.jpg)
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Small Businesses collaborate closely with volunteer graduate teams and experienced mentors throughout the program
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Small Businesses
SMEs from different sectors join cohorts of 30 or more businesses and actively engage with student teams and other businesses to provide insights into their business and industry, collaborating to drive tailor-made strategic actions and achieve impactful results
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Volunteer Student Teams
University teams of 3-5 students, trained in a proven methodology and mentored by IXL consultants, collaborate closely with SMEs to achieve results using cutting-edge software, competing to deliver world-class action plans and solutions
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Expert Mentors & Guides
Experienced consultants assist student teams in driving fast and efficient execution through proven consulting and innovation techniques and approaches, aiming for bigger and bolder results
Small business owners share their reflections about the program
Program Pilot to Expansion: Driving Impact Globally for the Past 5 years
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The program organizers partnered to leverage LISC’s economic development expertise with IXL Center’s consulting and innovation experience
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Economic Development Experts
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a nonprofit organization that helps forge resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity through investment in residents, communities and enterprises
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Consulting & Innovation Experts
IXL Center, headquartered in Cambridge, is a leading innovation management consulting firm, delivering top-tier training, consulting, and education services globally to drive business growth
Other organizations seeking to drive social impact have replicated the program in their own markets, in partnership with IXL Center
![partners partners](https://lisc.ixl-center.com/hs-fs/hubfs/partners.png?width=1766&height=118&name=partners.png)
Highlights of the past programs reflect business growth and transformation
LISC Digital Growth Accelerator, 2024
LISC Massachusetts, funded by the United States Small Business Administration, supported a program for 28 small businesses in Massachusetts, where 78 students competed to drive growth for companies in professional services, personal services, food and beverage, and retail.
Somerville SME Growth Accelerator, 2024
The Brazilian Community Heritage Foundation and the Somerville City adapted the Accelerator program, founded by the ARPA Fund, to revitalize plans for Magoun Square and Winter Hill, supporting 15 underrepresented SMEs, mainly restaurants, hair salons, and retail stores.
LISC Digital Growth Accelerator, 2023
The LISC Massachusetts and LISC Greater Newark offices united forces to support 37 childcare providers in implementing the Accelerator Program. Sponsored by P&G and Symetra, this industry-specific cohort tackled issues like under-enrollment, inefficient operations, and limited revenue.
Participant Testimonials strengthen our commitment to social impact
The Impact of the LISC Digital Growth Accelerator program on small businesses
Small businesses from the childcare cohort share the relevance of the program to their business journey
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