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M&T Bank launches fourth Harrisburg Small Business Accelerator; $10,000 pitch prize announced
Summary
M&T Bank and partners launched the fourth Harrisburg Small Business Accelerator, opening 40 seats for entrepreneurs, with a June pitch competition awarding $10,000 and a registration deadline of 04/12/2025, organizers said.
M&T Bank on Friday launched the fourth Harrisburg Small Business Accelerator at a press event in Harrisburg, organizers said, opening 40 seats to entrepreneurs and announcing a June pitch competition that will award $10,000 to competition winners.
The program, led by M&T Bank in partnership with the Harrisburg University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the City of Harrisburg, is open to businesses in operation three years or less with annual revenues of $350,000 or less. Organizers said the principal owner must be at least 18 and reside in the Harrisburg capital region; registration is first-come, first-served and the link to apply closes on 04/12/2025.
Nora Havick, regional president for M&T Bank’s Central and Western Pennsylvania regions, recalled the program’s 2022 start and described rapid demand. “When we first launched this program back in 2022, we had no idea what to expect, let alone whether we would be able to fill the 40 available spots. But what happened was unbelievable,” Havick said, noting that the inaugural year produced more than 80 applications and that the bank’s team has since worked with more than 90 small businesses.
Natalie Weck, business banking manager for M&T Bank’s Southern Pennsylvania region, said the accelerator is intended to connect participants to local resources and “create a great foundation” through weekly labs. Weck also handled event logistics and provided registration details at the conclusion of the program launch.
Jay Mohan, representing the Harrisburg University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said the partnership aims to provide resources and community support so entrepreneurs can “turn passion into purpose.” Gloria Martin Roberts, interim director of economic development and housing for the City of Harrisburg, praised the program’s focus on “innovation, resilience, and economic empowerment,” and offered the mayor’s apologies for being unable to attend.
Organizers described the program format as a series of weekly labs that culminate in a graduation and a pitch competition judged by M&T Bank and invited panelists. The bank said it intends to award $10,000 to the competition winners at the June event. The application link was provided verbally at the event as “mtb.com backslash Harrisburg program,” and speakers repeated that seats typically fill quickly.
Program leaders emphasized the network effects among participants as a key benefit. Havick said participants not only learn from presenters but “perhaps more important, they're learning from each other,” producing a lasting professional network.
Organizers noted the program’s local focus and recent track record but did not announce additional funding sources beyond the pitch prize, nor did they set a precise event date for the June graduation during the remarks. The mayor was cited as a partner in prior years but did not attend the press event.
