The AI Corridor Accelerator is designed to help aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs turn an idea into something they can take to market.

Through 10 virtual modules, you'll learn how to identify your customer, develop and validate your idea, build your business model and create a path to market.

How It Works

Each module combines:

• A 30-minute e-learning session focused on that topic
• 20+ minutes with a South Carolina subject-matter expert 
• Real-world perspective from South Carolina founders who have put these lessons into practice

After completing the virtual modules, participants will come together for a two-hour, in-person facilitated working session to apply what they've learned, get feedback and map out their next steps.

What You'll Learn

The program will take you through the process from idea to market, including:

• Ideation & Customer Discovery
• Ideal Customer Profile & Competitive Landscape
• Business Model Canvas & Value Proposition
• Designing Your Solution to Fit Your Customer
• Product Strategy & Development
• Go-to-Market Strategy & Market Sizing
• Legal & Business Basics
• Building Your Product or Service
• Market Validation & Proof-of-Concept Agreements
• Selling Your Solution & Creating a Powerful Deck 

Participants will also have the opportunity to put what they've learned into action through the No Boundaries Pitch Contest.

Who Should Participate?

This program is for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders and existing business owners developing a new product or service. You don't need to have everything figured out - that's the point.

You bring the idea. We'll help you build the path to market. 

The AI Corridor Accelerator is offered by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce with support from the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), building on Aiken's broader efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem.

Questions? Contact Sarah Schultz at sschultz@aikenchamber.net  

Want to go Deeper? Meet One-on-One with SCORE.

Every business is different. If there's a topic you want to explore further, SCORE mentors are available for free, one-on-one sessions throughout the program.

Whether you want a deeper dive into customer discovery, your business model, market strategy, pricing, sales - or any of the 10 accelerator topics- you can connect individually with a SCORE mentor to work through questions specific to your business before the program's final in-person session.

To schedule a SCORE meeting, contact Jeanene Smith at jeanene.smith@scorevolunteers.org