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BOMESI Accelerator - Cohort 5
Open
The BOMESI Accelerator - Cohort 4
BOMESI Accelerator - Cohort 5
The BOMESI Accelerator - Cohort 4
Deadline
Mar 31, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT
Closed
BOMESI Accelerator - Cohort 5
Launch
Sep 4, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
Deadline
Oct 1, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT
Open
ABOUT BOMESI
BOMESI exists to strengthen the business side of diverse-owned media, building sustainable companies and a stronger media ecosystem. Our network reaches more than 400 Black-owned media companies and 2,500 diverse-owned media companies, and we support them through an annual Summit, a cohort-based Accelerator, a media database that connects media buyers to independent outlets, and a series of webinars, trainings, and resources to increase the capacity and knowledge base of our community.
The Accelerator is our flagship capacity-building program. Across four cohorts, 32 graduates have come through the program, which has facilitated more than $2 million in direct ad revenue and provided $675,000 in non-dilutive funding.
This cohort, we are expanding eligibility beyond independent publishers to include creators building audience-owned media businesses of their own.
COHORT 5
This cohort will be a mix of publishers and creators. BOMESI recognizes that diverse-owned media businesses take many forms in 2026. Whether you publish through a website, newsletter, podcast, or video channel, if you operate a legally formed media business with original content, an owned audience, and at least $50K in annual revenue, we encourage you to apply.
Note: individual influencer accounts without an underlying media business entity are not eligible for this program.
BOMESI exists to strengthen the business side of diverse-owned media, building sustainable companies and a stronger media ecosystem. Our network reaches more than 400 Black-owned media companies and 2,500 diverse-owned media companies, and we support them through an annual Summit, a cohort-based Accelerator, a media database that connects media buyers to independent outlets, and a series of webinars, trainings, and resources to increase the capacity and knowledge base of our community.
The Accelerator is our flagship capacity-building program. Across four cohorts, 32 graduates have come through the program, which has facilitated more than $2 million in direct ad revenue and provided $675,000 in non-dilutive funding.
This cohort, we are expanding eligibility beyond independent publishers to include creators building audience-owned media businesses of their own.
COHORT 5
This cohort will be a mix of publishers and creators. BOMESI recognizes that diverse-owned media businesses take many forms in 2026. Whether you publish through a website, newsletter, podcast, or video channel, if you operate a legally formed media business with original content, an owned audience, and at least $50K in annual revenue, we encourage you to apply.
Note: individual influencer accounts without an underlying media business entity are not eligible for this program.
Requirements
CRITERIA:
- Produces original content through owned or directly controlled channels. This includes a website, newsletter, podcast, video channel, or app. Applicants must demonstrate an owned audience relationship (such as an email list, site traffic, or app users) in addition to any social platform following.
- Company has a full-time founder, CEO and/or core team consisting of either FT employees or part-time contractors.
- Between $50K and $1M in annual revenue.
- Less than 20 employees.
- A legally formed entity (Corporation, LLC, Sole Proprietorship).
- Consistent with BOMESI's charitable mission, priority consideration is given to media companies owned or led by people from communities historically underrepresented in media ownership, including Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latinx, AAPI, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, and women owners. All applicants meeting the criteria are eligible to apply.
- Must be available to participate in training with your cohort.
- Must have a founder, or senior leadership available for an in-person gathering.
FAQs
What does the program provide?
$25,000 in support consisting of a $10,000 grant as well as support and services equal to a value of $15,000. BOMESI takes no equity. Participants also receive access to masterclasses and curriculum as well as access to the BOMESI network, and community.
Can I still apply if my company is not Black-owned?
Yes. Any independent media business that meets the criteria above is eligible to apply. BOMESI's mission centers on media companies owned or led by people historically underrepresented in media ownership, and those applications receive priority consideration in review.
Is this program only open to publishers?
No. Cohort 5 is open to both independent publishers and creators operating a media business. We define that by the business, not the format, so websites, newsletters, podcasts, video channels, and apps all qualify. What matters is that you produce original content through channels you own or directly control and can demonstrate an owned audience relationship such as an email list, site traffic, or app users.
What is the difference between a creator and an individual influencer for eligibility purposes?
Creators are eligible when they operate a legally formed business with original content, an owned audience, and revenue in the range listed above. Individual social accounts without an underlying business entity are not eligible.
My revenue is above $1M. Can I still apply?
No. This cohort is scoped to businesses between $50K and $1M in annual revenue, because the curriculum is built for companies at that stage.
How many companies will be selected?
Cohort 5 will include 5 publishers, 5 creators, and 1 creator-in-residence.
Is this open to companies outside the United States?
Applicants must be legally formed and operating in the United States.
Can I apply if I went through a previous BOMESI cohort?
No this is open to companies who have not already taken part in the accelerator. However if you applied to a past cohort and did not make it we welcome you to re-apply.
When is the final deadline to apply?
October 1st, 11:59 pm EST. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis so we encourage you to submit early.
Are we allowed an extension period if we are currently waiting on specific documents?
Unfortunately, due to specific timelines, we are unable to extend any deadlines to specific individuals.
When will we hear back?
You will be notified throughout the application process over the next 4 weeks whether you will be moving forward to interviews.
For more information about BOMESI, visit https://bomesi.org/.
For more information about BOMESI's Accelerator, visit https://bomesiaccelerator.org/.
$25,000 in support consisting of a $10,000 grant as well as support and services equal to a value of $15,000. BOMESI takes no equity. Participants also receive access to masterclasses and curriculum as well as access to the BOMESI network, and community.
Can I still apply if my company is not Black-owned?
Yes. Any independent media business that meets the criteria above is eligible to apply. BOMESI's mission centers on media companies owned or led by people historically underrepresented in media ownership, and those applications receive priority consideration in review.
Is this program only open to publishers?
No. Cohort 5 is open to both independent publishers and creators operating a media business. We define that by the business, not the format, so websites, newsletters, podcasts, video channels, and apps all qualify. What matters is that you produce original content through channels you own or directly control and can demonstrate an owned audience relationship such as an email list, site traffic, or app users.
What is the difference between a creator and an individual influencer for eligibility purposes?
Creators are eligible when they operate a legally formed business with original content, an owned audience, and revenue in the range listed above. Individual social accounts without an underlying business entity are not eligible.
My revenue is above $1M. Can I still apply?
No. This cohort is scoped to businesses between $50K and $1M in annual revenue, because the curriculum is built for companies at that stage.
How many companies will be selected?
Cohort 5 will include 5 publishers, 5 creators, and 1 creator-in-residence.
Is this open to companies outside the United States?
Applicants must be legally formed and operating in the United States.
Can I apply if I went through a previous BOMESI cohort?
No this is open to companies who have not already taken part in the accelerator. However if you applied to a past cohort and did not make it we welcome you to re-apply.
When is the final deadline to apply?
October 1st, 11:59 pm EST. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis so we encourage you to submit early.
Are we allowed an extension period if we are currently waiting on specific documents?
Unfortunately, due to specific timelines, we are unable to extend any deadlines to specific individuals.
When will we hear back?
You will be notified throughout the application process over the next 4 weeks whether you will be moving forward to interviews.
For more information about BOMESI, visit https://bomesi.org/.
For more information about BOMESI's Accelerator, visit https://bomesiaccelerator.org/.