UPstart Program

UPstart Program works to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Franklin County and beyond. Through two components, the Entrepreneurship Accelerator and the Take the Floor pitch contest, we work with early-stage entrepreneurs to think through, plan, and execute a business strategy.

Entrepreneurship Accelerator

     

Do you own a business and wish you knew more about the basics, from business planning and entity formation to insurance, marketing, financials, and more? The spring Entrepreneurship Accelerator is for owners within a year of opening or established businesses who are looking to grow into their next phase.

This program can help you fill in the blanks and continue your growth toward business success. The class is a mix between in-person and hybrid with an opportunity to pitch your business during our final two in-person meetings. Classes meet at the Franklin County CDC's Venture Center, 324 Wells Street, Greenfield, and on Zoom, on Wednesdays, 5 to 7 p.m., starting March 18. The application period for the spring Entrepreneurship Accelerator is now closed. Please check back in late summer for information about our fall sessions.

Take the Floor

       

The 2026 Take the Floor application is now live! Pitch your business idea and compete for a $10,000 business investment!

Take the Floor empowers local entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and resources they need to launch their ideas into action. Businesses located in Franklin County and the North Quabbin can apply to take the floor on May 19, 5–7 p.m., at Greenspace CoWork in Greenfield. Finalists from that qualifying round go on to the finals on June 25, 5–7 p.m. at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center to compete for a $10,000 investment in their business. Thanks to Franklin First Federal Credit Union for donating the $10,000. Please see qualifying guidelines in the application.

The application to pitch is now closed. Please check back for future opportunities. To register for the Qualifying Round, please click here. To register for the Final Round, please click here.

Thank you to Take the Floor lead sponsor Franklin First Federal Credit Union and to the Greenfield Recorder for their support of the program. 

Any questions? Email us at hello@fccdc.org