The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Memphis hybrid cohort of Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), its flagship no-cost business accelerator for growth-stage owners in under-resourced communities. Construction contractors are among the largest groups of businesses that turn to ICCC to sharpen strategy, build financial discipline, and connect to capital — and this year, expanded eligibility and new capital grants make the Memphis cohort more accessible than ever. The program opens with an in-person kickoff at Epicenter Memphis on Wednesday, September 24, 2026.
Built for Construction Owners Ready to Scale
Over five months, participants benefit from executive education, one-on-one coaching, and direct capital connections. ICCC’s hybrid format — live sessions, self-paced learning, individual coaching, and peer connection — gives owners the space to work on their business while they’re still running it. Owners set their own priorities, from strengthening operations to preparing to access capital, and apply what they learn in real time. For construction contractors navigating bonding, backlog, and financing decisions, that flexibility fits the demands of the job. The Memphis cohort is offered at no cost thanks to ICIC’s sponsors, including FedEx and Regions Bank, multiyear partners whose investments have trained more than 430 businesses since 2017.
Expanded Eligibility for Memphis
This year, expanded eligibility makes the Memphis cohort accessible to more of the region’s growth-minded small business owners — including earlier-stage construction firms. Businesses with $100,000 in annual revenue are now eligible to apply and benefit from the program’s curriculum.
New: Capstone Pitch Competition Grants
For the first time, Memphis participants will compete for capital grants at an in-person capstone pitch competition. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
- 1st Place: $2,500
- 2nd Place: $1,500
- 3rd Place: $1,000
The competition gives owners a real stage to refine and deliver their growth pitch — and walk away with capital to put it into action.
A Memphis Success Story
Michael Hooks Jr., CEO of Allworld Project Management and an ICCC alumnus, credits the program with strengthening his approach to sustainable growth. Since completing the program, Allworld, which provides the Memphis area with construction engineering and technology services, has achieved steady revenue growth, earning recognition as a 2023 Inner City 100 (IC100) award winner, which honors the fastest-growing businesses in under-resourced communities across the United States.
Most recently, Hooks received the 2026 Changemaker Award from Regions Bank, which included a $10,000 grant recognizing his successful implementation of the strategies and tools he gained through ICCC. "The program sharpened how I approach capital readiness, financial storytelling, systems and long-term strategy – particularly for a professional services firm that must balance people, performance and purpose," he shared with the bank. Today, Allworld continues to grow while creating quality jobs and strengthening its community, demonstrating how ICCC equips business owners with the knowledge, strategies, and connections to build stronger, more resilient companies.
More Cohorts, More Locations
Memphis is one of several ICCC cohorts launching in the second half of 2026. Growth-stage owners nationwide can choose the format and location that fits:
- Western Massachusetts — Hybrid, In-Person Opening Seminar starts August 25
- St. Louis, MO — Hybrid, In-Person Opening Seminar starts September 15
- Memphis, TN — Hybrid, In-Person Opening Seminar starts September 24
- Philadelphia, PA & New Jersey — Hybrid, In-Person Opening Seminar starts September 29
- U.S. National — Virtual, starts October 6
- National Veterans — Virtual, starts October 20
- Miami, FL — Hybrid, In-Person Opening Seminar starts October 27
Apply Today
Seats in the 2026 Memphis ICCC cohort are limited and filling on a rolling basis. Construction owners ready to scale should apply now at icic.org/iccc/apply.
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national nonprofit driving inclusive small business growth in under-resourced communities. Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Dr. Michael E. Porter, ICIC works to break down barriers, build stronger businesses, and strengthen communities — identifying entrepreneurs with potential, activating their growth, amplifying their impact, and helping them scale. Through research-informed, no-cost programs, ICIC delivers executive education, coaching, technical assistance, and access to capital to more than 3,200 businesses across the U.S. each year, creating jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.
