Organization · Accelerator
Accelerators Organization
Accelerators Organization (AO) is a Nashville-based accelerator that provides mentorship and networking opportunities for small business owners with annual sales under $1 million. It connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors through a virtual platform.
Overview
What Accelerators Organization does
What Accelerators Organization is
Accelerators Organization (AO) is a Nashville-based accelerator that provides mentorship and networking opportunities for small business owners with annual sales under $1 million. It connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors through a virtual platform.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2017
- Approximate age
- About 9 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 6, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Accelerators Organization elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Accelerators Organization as a funder
Investment thesis
Accelerators Organization aims to empower small business owners through mentorship and networking. By connecting entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, AO fosters a supportive community that enhances the chances of financial success.
Focus narrative
Accelerators Organization focuses on providing mentorship and networking for small business owners. The organization offers access to a network of mentors who have successfully bootstrapped their own businesses, providing guidance and support to members. AO caters to entrepreneurs in various industries and emphasizes the importance of building relationships and community among its members. The organization offers a range of learning formats, including in-person events, virtual meetings, and a library of video content.
Value beyond capital
Accelerators Organization provides value by connecting small business owners with experienced mentors who offer guidance, support, and networking opportunities. This mentorship helps entrepreneurs navigate challenges and enhances their chances of success.
Focus and fit
- Regions
- North America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Not published
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
The organization features a diverse group of mentors, each with significant entrepreneurial experience. Notable mentors include: Hurley Fox: Owner of Fox & Partners, LLC, providing controller and CFO services to entrepreneurs. Mitch Barham: CEO of Barham Marketing, with 19 years of entrepreneurial experience and multiple successful eCommerce ventures. Todd Ferguson: Founder and CEO of Showcase Prep, a logistics fulfillment center specializing in e-commerce.
Capability profile
Accelerators Organization as a program host
Program thesis
Accelerators Organization aims to help entrepreneurs struggle less and succeed more by connecting them with experienced mentors who have built successful businesses.
Focus narrative
AO focuses on mentorship and networking for small business owners across various industries. The organization provides access to a network of successful entrepreneurs who offer guidance and support. With a range of learning formats, including in-person events and virtual meetings, AO ensures that members have the resources they need to thrive.
Value and support
Founders participating in the program gain access to a network of experienced mentors, valuable resources, and a supportive community. They benefit from personalized guidance tailored to their unique business challenges, helping them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape more effectively.
Format and cadence
- Format
- Hybrid
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Regions
- North America
Capability profile
Accelerators Organization as a community
Community overview
Accelerators Organization (AO) is a Nashville-based organization founded in 2017 by Shawn Thomas. It was established to provide mentorship and networking opportunities for small business owners with annual sales under $1 million. The organization emerged from Shawn's interactions with followers on social media, where he addressed questions about achieving financial success. AO aims to help entrepreneurs struggle less and succeed more by connecting them with experienced mentors who have built successful businesses.
Community focus
Accelerators Organization focuses on providing mentorship and networking for small business owners. The organization offers access to a network of mentors who have successfully bootstrapped their own businesses, providing guidance and support to members. AO caters to entrepreneurs in various industries and emphasizes the importance of building relationships and community among its members. The organization offers a range of learning formats, including in-person events, virtual meetings, and a library of video content.
Member value
Members gain access to a network of experienced mentors, learning opportunities through various formats, and a supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- hybrid
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- accelerator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Notable members
Notable mentors include Hurley Fox, Owner of Fox & Partners, LLC; Mitch Barham, CEO of Barham Marketing; and Todd Ferguson, Founder and CEO of Showcase Prep.
Common questions
What to know about Accelerators Organization
Upseed classifies Accelerators Organization under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 6, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.