ST. LOUIS – Greater St. Louis, Inc. is putting out a call to St. Louis small businesses looking to scale up. The organization’s Supplier Readiness Accelerator – a 12-week, cohort-based program designed to prepare locally owned small businesses for growth and integration into corporate supply chains – is now accepting applications for its fall 2026 cohort.
“Our mission is to drive growth and create more and better jobs, and we want to help local small businesses be at the leading edge of that growth,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. Partner Lakesha Mathis. “Our Supplier Readiness Accelerator is a perfect opportunity for companies looking to take that next step and be a part of the supply chain process for major corporations and institutions.”
About the Supplier Readiness Accelerator
The 12-week, cohort-based program begins with a baseline assessment for each participating business, then, over the course of three months, blends structured learning with applied practice. The result is more confident small business owners better prepared to compete for contracts and support corporate partners.
Said Calvin Dantley, Founder and Principal of Master Systems LLC and a Spring 2026 Accelerator graduate, “This is an experience that no matter where you’re starting, it gives you the opportunity to really jump in, connect with the folks that you want to meet, and receive real mentorship from people who are two or three steps ahead of where you are right now.”
Each week, Accelerator participants are introduced to practical learnings, from cultivating leads and scaling operations to managing cash flow, securing certifications, and navigating vendor portals. The program culminates in a capstone project where participants present a comprehensive growth plan that integrates business development, operations, funding certifications, partnerships, and sourcing strategies.
“By combining structured learning with applied practice, the accelerator empowers suppliers to scale effectively, pursue contracts confidently, and position themselves as competitive partners in the regional supply chain,” added Mathis.
Business owners from cohorts of the Accelerator and its predecessor program, the Diverse Business Accelerator, have shared that the knowledge and insights they gained through the program fueled their personal growth and confidence, as well as the size and revenue of their business. A survey of graduates found that:
- 90% significantly increased their business knowledge on topics important to growth
- 60% increased their revenues by more than 10%
- 68% added an average of 3 new employees
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Greater St. Louis, Inc. Supplier Readiness Accelerator, businesses must:
- Be locally owned
- Have fewer than 250 employees
- Focus on business-to-business (B2B) and/or business-to-government (B2G)
- Have a scalable business model
- Be revenue generating
- Commit to full program participation
The next Supplier Readiness Accelerator cohort begins Aug. 19, 2026. Applications are now open.
Greater St. Louis, Inc. – We Drive Growth
Greater St. Louis, Inc. forges partnerships that empower growth across the 15-county St. Louis region. We convene and collaborate with business, governmental, and civic leaders to empower economic growth and prosperity in communities across the St. Louis metro area. Together, we act with intention to create a thriving and inclusive St. Louis that attracts and retains investment and talent for generations to come and creates more and better jobs for the region.