M&T s seeking 40 entrepreneurs to participate in its fifth Harrisburg Small Business Accelerator Program – a program designed to provide small business owners with the guidance and skills needed to build strong businesses, spur economic growth in Harrisburg’s Capital Region, and build generational wealth for their families.
Registration is now open for the free, eight-week program which is held in partnership with the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (CIE). The program’s sessions will focus on business planning, establishing credit, accessing capital, marketing, branding, and networking.
“Now in its fifth year, the Small Business Accelerator Program continues to create opportunities for entrepreneurs across the Capital Region,” said Nora Habig, M&T Bank’s Regional President for Central and Western Pennsylvania. “It’s a privilege to partner with the CIE and see firsthand how this program helps small business owners strengthen their businesses and drive economic growth in Harrisburg.”
The M&T Bank Small Business Accelerator Program launches April 29, 2026, with courses held each Wednesday evening at the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. It will conclude on June 17 with a pitch competition and opportunity to win grants totaling $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place – all funded by M&T.
Entrepreneurs interested in participating in the program must complete an online application no later than April 10, 2026, and meet the following eligibility requirements:
In business between two – five years;
Annual business revenue of $50,000 – $500,000;
Principal owner must be 18 years or older; and,
Small business owners must reside in Harrisburg, PA and surrounding towns.
Qualified applicants will be enrolled in the free program on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to compete in the pitch competition, participants must attend all course sessions, with one absence permitted.
Jay Jayamohan, CIE’s Executive Director, said, “Entrepreneurship has never been more important than it is today. In a world changing at unprecedented speed, programs like this ensure that bold ideas—especially from early-stage founders—have the support, mentorship, and ecosystem they need to become real businesses. At CIE, we are privileged to be a strong partner to M&T’s leadership in the community as they stand beside these entrepreneurs and help turn their ambition into lasting impact.”
The Capital Region Small Business Accelerator Program launched in 2022, providing 40 small-business owners with free access to resources and education to grow their business. The 2022 program received the Catalyst Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation for its impact on businesses in the area.
To apply for the Capital Region Small Business Accelerator Program, visit https://www.mtb.com/harrisburgprogram
