The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is excited to announce the launch of the 2026 program year for its Manufacturing Accelerator Program: High-Growth Strategies for Manufacturers (MAP). MAP is a national, virtual executive education course designed to provide small manufacturing businesses with the knowledge, tools, and tactics needed to scale and innovate in today’s competitive marketplace. Thanks to the generous support of ICIC's sponsors, this high-value education program is offered at no cost to small business participants, empowering them to take their businesses to the next level.
MAP’s inaugural cohort was held in the summer of 2025 with 60 manufacturers representing 19 states across the country.
“We designed MAP to be a true game-changer for small manufacturers,” said Brian Becker, MAP Program Director and Founder and CEO of Becker Growth Strategy. “The program combines expert instruction with real-world, actionable strategies. It’s an opportunity for manufacturers to not only learn but to immediately implement the tools needed for growth and success.”
Due to increased demand, MAP’s 12-week comprehensive course will be offered in both the summer and fall of 2026. Taught by industry experts and practitioners, the program covers all the key elements of running a successful manufacturing firm. The curriculum is designed to help participants develop and implement profitable business strategies, optimize operations, integrate AI technologies, and secure capital for expansion.
“MAP delivered exactly what this small manufacturer needed: practical tools and strategies I could apply immediately. From affordable technology solutions to identifying organizational roadblocks, every module was relevant to my business. The peer network with fellow manufacturing CEOs was invaluable, and the instructors brought exceptional expertise. The program also fit perfectly into my schedule,” said program alumnus Joe Dorrian, CEO of Instrument Technology, Inc. in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Harnessing Partnerships to Power Success
ICIC is grateful to our funding partners, including Eastern Bank, MassMutual Foundation, Triumvirate Environmental, and the Schooner Foundation for underwriting this program. We are proud to collaborate with the Center for Women and Enterprise, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute, and the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) to deliver MAP. These partnerships enable ICIC to reach a broader network of manufacturers, ensuring the program’s impactful resources are made accessible to businesses across the country.
Applications Are Now Open!
Applications are now open for the MAP Summer 2026 cohort beginning May 20, and space is limited. The cohort will be capped at approximately 50 businesses, with applications accepted on a rolling basis until all seats are filled. Interested manufacturers are encouraged to apply now at icic.org/map-apply. You can nominate a business for MAP at icic.org/map-nominate. For more information, including eligibility and program details, visit icic.org/map or register to join MAP staff for a virtual information session on April 16 at 4:00 p.m. ET at icic.org/map-info.
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping small businesses in under-resourced communities thrive through programming and research. Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School professor Dr. Michael E. Porter, ICIC provides executive education, coaching, technical assistance, and access to capital to thousands of businesses each year. Through its research and partnerships, ICIC facilitates private-sector investment and economic development that strengthens local economies and creates opportunity.
In 2025 alone, ICIC equipped more than 3,200 small businesses for growth across 1,300 communities nationwide. The year also marked the 20th anniversary of the Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program, which has supported more than 7,700 businesses to date, alongside milestones such as the launch of the Manufacturing Accelerator Program, new research on how small businesses are using AI tools, and expanded efforts to help entrepreneurs build practical AI capabilities through the integration of AI training into ICIC programs and the six-city Intuit More with AI Tour.
