White Plains, NY - Financial gurus, IT experts, legal heavyweights and now, authorities in the areas of business strategy, design and connecting with customers, have jumped aboard the Blueprint Accelerator Network as partners: Intelligist Group, White Plains, NY; Search Smart Marketing, Valhalla, NY and Spencer Design Group, Armonk, NY.

All will offer companies accepted into the Accelerator complimentary consulting services, aimed at enhancing the market position of emerging enterprises. The Blueprint Accelerator Network combines Westchester’s prime business resources – top professional services, free office space, seasoned mentors, and access to debt and seed financing – into one attractive package for promising, early-stage companies. It is a subset of the WCA’s Blueprint for Westchester, an aggressive initiative designed to spur economic development by creating an environment in which growing companies can flourish.

Intelligist Group, a business strategy advisory service, will conduct an in-depth discovery process to help Blueprint Accelerator Network companies move past blockages, leverage unidentified or underutilized assets, and identify opportunities for growth. Spencer Creative Group will offer its award-winning creative services to build or reinforce the companies’ brands across both traditional and Web platforms. Search Smart Marketing will apply its proven search engine optimization and pay per click expertise to enable companies in the Blueprint Accelerator Network to better connect with customers and new markets online.

“The strength of the Blueprint Accelerator Partner Network continues to grow,” said Marissa Brett, executive director of economic development for the Westchester County Association, which runs the program. “With the addition of our latest Partners, we are well-prepared to offer promising early-stage companies the resources they need to build a solid foundation for success here in Westchester.” Brett said the Accelerator is continuing to review applicants and encourages promising early-stage companies to apply at www.blueprintforwestchester.com.

How the Blueprint Accelerator Network Works
Funded by the private sector, the Blueprint Accelerator Network is overseen by a committee of experts in business strategy, venture capital, and innovation. Successful applicants meet or exceed the committee’s guidelines in five key areas:

- Development Stage – Accelerator companies should be operating businesses with their core product developed and demonstrated revenue for a minimum of 6 months;

- Market – The company’s market should be defined, differentiated and demonstrate a distinct opportunity for growth;

- Management Team – The company’s leadership team should be knowledgeable and deeply committed to the success of the business;

- Need – The Accelerator company should be in a position to benefit from the services provided by the Network and able to take the business to the next stage;

- Preferred Characteristics - Applicants must have a business plan that supports the need for the accelerator services with reasonable financial projections.  The applicant should be focused on a targeted industry with a company that is scalable and has potential to increase employment in Westchester County.

Accepted companies commit to remain in Westchester following their “graduation” from the Network. In exchange, the companies receive commercial space that matches their needs, are partnered with established organizations in their industry sector, receive free business-critical services from Blueprint Accelerator Network Partners and, are given access to the rich intellectual capital of 14 Westchester’s colleges and universities. Interested parties can apply to the Blueprint Accelerator Network by visiting www.blueprintaccelerator.com.

Partners in the Blueprint Accelerator Network include: BioMed Realty; Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP; Celestial Capital; Community Capital Resources; CMS Bank;Compufit; Cuddy & Feder, LLP; George Comfort and Sons; Greater Hudson Bank; Harrison Edwards, Inc.; Heritage Realty; Heyman Properties; Intelligist Group; Key Bank; Mack-Cali Realty; Mahopac National Bank; M & T Bank; Normandy Real Estate Partners; O’Connor Davies LLP; Provident Bank; Reckson, a Division of SL Green Realty Corp.; RPW Group; Search Smart Marketing; Spencer Creative Group; WEDC and The Westchester Bank.

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