How do I apply for the DEO Supplier Accelerator Program?
All applicants must complete the application screening questions to determine eligibility. For the application to be properly filed you must submit the electronic application, and any supplemental documents. Additionally, you must agree upon the terms and conditions in order to complete you submission. Additional instructions related to the review of your application will be provided after you submit your completed application.
Coaching in business development and navigating the sourcing process of large corporations.
Direct one-on-one access to Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals leaders and subject matter experts.
Networking opportunities with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital decision makers, suppliers and key community organizations.
A multidisciplinary business review to provide actionable feedback for developing and growing your business.
$10,000 cash prize upon completion of the program.
Requirement: Please note that this program will be hosted virtually in 2022. You must have a computer with a web camera to participate in DEI Supplier Accelerator.
DEI SUPPLIER ACCELERATOR TIMELINE
Coaching in business development and navigating the sourcing process of large corporations.
Direct one-on-one access to Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals leaders and subject matter experts.
Networking opportunities with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital decision makers, suppliers and key community organizations.
A multidisciplinary business review to provide actionable feedback for developing and growing your business.
$10,000 cash prize upon completion of the program.
DEI SUPPLIER ACCELERATOR TIMELINE
Receive Application
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All applicants must complete the application screening questions to determine eligibility. For the application to be properly filed you must submit the electronic application, and any supplemental documents. Additionally, you must agree upon the terms and conditions in order to complete you submission. Additional instructions related to the review of your application will be provided after you submit your completed application.
Coaching in business development and navigating the sourcing process of large corporations.
Direct one-on-one access to Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals leaders and subject matter experts.
Networking opportunities with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital decision makers, suppliers and key community organizations.
A multidisciplinary business review to provide actionable feedback for developing and growing your business.
$10,000 cash prize upon completion of the program.
Requirement: Please note that this program will be hosted virtually in 2022. You must have a computer with a web camera to participate in DEI Supplier Accelerator.
florida Supplier Accelerator Timeline
1
Applications
Application period opens
March 2
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Application period closes
March 31
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Applications under review
Mid-April
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Offers extended to semifinalists
End of April / Beginning of May
2
Pitch Competition
Pitch competition intro / coaching
Beginning of May
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Pitch competition presentations
End of May
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Cohort offers extended to finalists
End of May
3
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Cohort Learning Period
June through September 2026
4
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Cohort Capstone and Awards
October 2026
program Outline
June
•
Cohort kickoff event.
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Request-for-proposal (RFP) workshops: These interactive sessions provide a deep understanding of the large corporation sourcing process, best practices for analyzing a request for proposal and crafting successful RFP responses.
* Cohort members will be required to create and submit a RFP for this workshop.
July
•
Guest speaker event. Learn best practices from a well-established and successful small local business owner regarding growth, managing risk, and taking on healthcare-related contracts.
August
•
Cohort kickoff event.
•
Marketing workshops. Interactive sessions enhance the cohort members’ marketing effectiveness. These workshops will cover:Â
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Brand narratives and marketing plans
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Website development
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Media relations and communications
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Social media
*Cohort members will be required to submit a marketing plan and materials for individualized coaching and feedback.
September
•
Human resources (HR) workshop. Overview of best practices for:
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Determining staffing and hiring needs
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Employee onboarding
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Employee development
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Workforce and business planning
October
•
Program conclusion celebration. Join leaders from Cleveland Clinic in celebrating the conclusion of the 2026 Florida Supplier Accelerator program and the achievements of cohort members. This event will feature capstone presentations, awards and a reception.
Additional Program Offerings
•
Professional photos.
•
$10,000 cash prize upon successful completion of the program.
Networking
•
Tier I Suppliers
•
Community Organizations
•
Guest Speaker (experienced diverse business)
•
Internal Decision Makers
Business Panel Review
Subject Matter Experts review and recommend support and revisions to Diverse Suppliers:
•
RFP
•
Website
•
Business Tools
•
Goal Setting
•
Business Plan
Learning Sessions
1
Criteria for Corporate Access & Healthcare Specific Business Needs
2
Supply Chain Toolkit – Community Organizations
– Request for Proposal (RFP) – Audit Considerations
3
HR- Recruitment & Retention
4
Obtaining Capital *
4
Obtaining CapitalÂ
5
Marketing
Additional Offerings
•
Professional Photos
•
Cash Prize ($10k)
Important Dates
Watch as CEO and President, Tom Mihaljevic, MD presents virtually to our global family as he reflects on our centennial year and reviews the opportunities ahead.
RSVP by January 11, 2021
FOR PLACEMENT ONLYÂ
"It's the aspiration to do better. We are united in our commitment. We are defined by our ability to provide exceptional care in an exceptional way. As an integrated healthcare system, we will deliver uniform and safest care to every patient, every day at every Cleveland Clinic location - regardless of geography."
TOM MIHALJEVIC, MD
CEO & PRESIDENT - CLEVELAND CLINIC
Speaker
Tom Mihaljevic, MD
CEO and President
Cleveland ClinicÂ
"Through your dedication, there has never been a greater awareness of what makes Cleveland Clinic shine. And we are shining brighter than we have ever before. Guided by our mission: caring for life, researching for health and educating those who serve."
– Tom Mihaljevic, MD
ELIGIBILITY
•
Diverse Owned Business Definition: Organizations must have a for-profit business located in the United States that is 51% owned, operated, capitalized and controlled by a minority, LGBT, veteran or woman entity. Please see Diverse Owned Business Definitions [SK1]Â for further details.
•
Certification: Businesses that qualify as diverse owned must have a third-party diversity certification or be willing to obtain a third-party certification prior to the start of the cohort[SK1] program. Any third-party certifications acknowledging your diverse status are acceptable. Self-certification is not accepted.
•
Business Location: Organizations must be headquartered within one of the following Northeast Ohio counties: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit or Wayne.
DIVERSE OWNED BUSINESS DEFINITIONS
Diverse owned business categories:
1.
Minority Owned Business (MBE)
a.
African American, Black: A U.S. citizen having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Sub-Sahara Africa. Caribbean natives of African descent are also eligible.
b.
Latinx, Hispanic:Â Those whose origins are in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South American, or other Spanish or Portuguese cultures.
c.
Native American:Â A native of Alaska or Hawaii, or certified member of a federal or state recognized Indian tribe.
d.
Asian Pacific:Â Those whose origins are in the Pacific Islands, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore or Philippines.
e.
Asian-Indian:Â Â Those whose origins are in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives Islands, Nepal or Sri Lanka.
2.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Owned Businesses (LGBT)
3.
Veteran Business / Disabled Veteran Owned Business (VBE / DVBE)