Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator

Application and Referral Process

Step 1: Referral Coordinator Business Plan Consultation

Before applying, all applicants must first have a consultation and business plan review with a local small business development organization, known as a Referral Coordinator. The Referral Coordinators will help with the logistics of starting a business including the development of a business plan and growth strategies.

Referral Coordinators for the Arts Council include Chatham University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Bridgeway Capital. Business consultation services will be provided at no cost to prospective applicants, and Referral Coordinator services are available on an ongoing basis. Please be sure to review the CEA Grant Guidelines to ensure applicant eligibility prior to reaching out to a Referral Coordinator.

We encourage applicants to connect with Referral Coordinators as soon as possible. Please allow up to a week to receive a response from Referral Coordinators. No appointments will be provided with a Referral Coordinator after January 7, 2026. This timing is to ensure the Referral Coordinator is able to effectively review your business plan and meet one-on-one with the applicant prior to the application round deadline. 

Referral Coordinator Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh: Victoria Hassett
Director, PantherlabWorks
THE INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE Innovation Institute - University of Pittsburgh
3520 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: 412.648.1546
Email: plw@innovation.pitt.edu

Chatham University: J. Michelle Price, MFA, PhD
Community & Membership Engagement Coordinator
CENTER FOR WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Women’s Business Center
Chatham Eastside 6585 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phones: (direct) 412.365.1384 | (main) 412.365.1253 | (cell) 412.510.4774
Email: m.price@chatham.edu

Bridgeway Capital: Katie Schaible
Director of Programs
310 Grant St., Suite 2800, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412.912.9910
Email: kschaible@bridgewaycapital.org  

Not sure which Referral Coordinator to reach out to?  
If you do not have a solid business plan and are looking for assistance in building a better business plan, please reach out to either Michelle Price at Chatham University or Victoria Hassett at the University of Pittsburgh.

Step 2: Application

Upon receiving an approved referral form from a designated Referral Coordinator, applicants may submit application materials through the Arts Council website.

Submissions must include the creative entrepreneur’s application form, approved referral form, and business plan, including a budget outlining expected project expenses for the funding year. Upon receipt of an eligible and complete application, the Arts Council will review your application. If approved, the Arts Council will enter into a grant award agreement with the creative entrepreneur and process the grant payment.

Important Note: Following the mandatory consultation with an approved Referral Coordinator, they will determine if your project is appropriate to move forward with a formal application to the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator program. Review the criteria for approval in the grant guidelines. Referral of a creative entrepreneur by a Referral Coordinator does not guarantee that a grant will be made.