By Lauren King, Director of the EO Accelerator Program

As someone who’s dedicated her career to helping small-scale entrepreneurs grow their businesses, I’ve heard many skeptics say a business accelerator program is just a cover for startups looking to increase capital. I disagree – after working with thousands of entrepreneurs from around the world who are putting in the hard work and time to reach the US$1 million mark, I see the importance of accelerator programs enabling businesspeople to reach personal and professional goals. From a high-level perspective, these small businesses are making a positive impact on the global economy, creating more jobs and empowering communities. On a personal level, giving entrepreneurs the support and resources to realize their potential is immensely valuable on many levels.