Chicagoland pilot region
The first OMS2 pilot is being prepared for Chicagoland. A final host location has not been selected, and the program may use donated, sponsored, shared or affordable partner space.
OMS2 Startup Accelerator · In development
A free accelerator for founders building across industries.
One Million Small Startups is a launch-stage 501(c)(3) nonprofit raising capital, partnerships and volunteer support to build a free, cross-industry startup accelerator.
Applications are not open.
The program is being developed. Final application dates, cohort size, duration and curriculum will be announced after funding and operational milestones are met.
Join the Founder Interest ListRemote national access
Remote participation is being designed for founders throughout the United States.
Planned to be free for accepted founders
Accepted founders are not expected to pay a program fee; delivery remains subject to funding.
Who is welcome
Founders whose potential is bigger than their network.
OMS2 is designed primarily for first-time and nontechnical founders who have promising business ideas but lack access to experienced startup networks, technical resources and early-stage support.
We are especially committed to making the program accessible to historically overlooked and under-resourced founders.
Technology and nontechnology companies are both relevant.
Participants will not be required to follow a venture-capital model.
Restaurants, retailers, service firms, manufacturers, creative businesses and social enterprises can belong here.
Technical education may include AI, no-code tools and product-development literacy without requiring every founder to build software.
Intended founder stage
- Idea-stage founders validating a promising business concept.
- Pre-launch founders shaping an offer, operating model or first customer path.
- Very early-stage founders building the foundations for a responsible launch.
- Early-revenue founders who need structured launch support—not mature-company scale services.
Expected to include
Practical support from idea validation through launch readiness.
The final curriculum is subject to funding, partner availability and program design. Current planning areas include:
- Customer and market validation
- Business-model development and pricing
- Sales and customer acquisition
- Technical literacy, AI and no-code tools
- Product and service development
- Branding and digital presence
- Financial and operational planning
- Mentorship and launch strategy
The program goal
Credible. Sustainable. Launch-ready.
Business substance
Help founders make informed decisions about customers, offers, pricing, operations and finances.
Practical literacy
Build confidence using modern technical tools while keeping the business model—not the technology—as the starting point.
Launch roadmap
Build readiness in a responsible sequence.
These milestones are deliberately not date-specific. Remote and pop-up programming can begin before a permanent facility exists, while recurring physical expansion depends on demonstrated readiness.
Phase 1
Organizational readiness
- Approve the launch budget.
- Complete essential governance and operating documents.
- Finalize the pilot curriculum.
- Establish volunteer, mentor and instructor processes.
- Secure appropriate insurance and operating systems.
- Prepare fundraising and partnership materials.
Phase 2
Chicagoland pilot readiness
- Define the pilot cohort structure.
- Recruit an initial founder interest pool.
- Confirm instructors, mentors and operating support.
- Secure donated, sponsored or affordable partner space.
- Test remote and hybrid delivery systems.
- Establish participant safeguards and measurement procedures.
Phase 3
Initial pilot delivery
- Deliver initial workshops or a pilot cohort.
- Provide hybrid access where operationally feasible.
- Measure participation, completion, founder feedback and launch progress.
- Publish verified lessons and outcomes.
Phase 4
Recurring program development
- Improve the program based on pilot evidence.
- Develop recurring Chicagoland programming.
- Strengthen corporate, philanthropic, community and university partnerships.
- Expand remote participation responsibly.
Phase 5
Responsible national expansion
- Replicate the tested model in additional regions where partnerships, funding and founder demand support expansion.
- Maintain a national remote-access pathway.
- Open physical locations only after the model demonstrates operational and financial viability.
Development depends on launch readiness.
OMS2 will announce applications only after funding, staffing, curriculum, delivery infrastructure and appropriate founder safeguards are ready. Participation will not guarantee revenue, investment, grants, contracts or business success.