AI accelerator

Introducing the Digital Ready AI Accelerator.

A 12-week program helping small businesses apply AI to real business processes through expert guidance, small-group coaching, and access to leading AI tools. Applications are now closed for 2026.

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Training to turn AI potential into practical results.

The AI Accelerator helps small businesses apply AI to real business challenges. Whether you're looking to improve marketing, strengthen customer relationships, streamline operations or use data more effectively, the program will help you identify opportunities and build a plan for action.

Applications reopen in 2027 12-week program Limited to 50 participants ~10 hours per week Virtual learning

How the program works

Advanced AI learning built for real small business challenges.

Over 12 weeks, work alongside AI experts and fellow small business owners to identify opportunities for AI within your business, evaluate solutions, and build a roadmap for AI adoption.

Weekly expert-led workshops

Learn from leading AI companies and practitioners during live sessions focused on prompting, workflow design, governance, automation, agentic systems, and scaling AI adoption.

Access to leading AI tools

Explore and compare leading AI platforms with free access for accelerator participants, allowing you to evaluate which solutions best fit your business needs before making longer-term investments.

Small group sessions

Meet weekly with AI expert mentors and a cohort of peers to evaluate workflows, test solutions, troubleshoot challenges, and receive feedback on implementation plans.

Free to apply and participate

There is no cost to participate. Your investment is time, commitment, and a readiness to test and apply AI within your small business.

On-demand learning

Build foundational AI knowledge through curated courses and certifications. Optional coursework reinforces learning and prepares participants for weekly sessions.

Exclusive by design

The program is limited to 50 small businesses to ensure participants receive personalized support, meaningful peer engagement, and direct access to experts.

Personalized 1x1 support

Receive personalized guidance from mentors throughout the program as you move from workflow selection to testing, implementation planning, and long-term AI adoption.

hours per week to dedicate to the learning experience

weeks to complete the program from start to finish

business owners will be selected to participate

Build roadmap & showcase results

A roadmap designed to turn AI potential into real business results.

Every phase includes practical deliverables to move from learning AI concepts to building AI automated workflows small businesses can apply within their operations.

Weeks 1-3

Learn AI & find opportunity

Build foundational AI knowledge, explore where AI can create value within your business, and select an existing process in marketing, sales, operations, or data analysis to focus on throughout the program.

Weeks 4-6

Explore & test AI solutions

Map your existing business process, identify where AI may improve efficiency or quality, test solutions using leading AI tools, and determine the appropriate balance between AI and human decision-making.

Weeks 7-9

Refine & plan for adoption

Evaluate results, refine your approach, identify what works best for your business, and build a practical plan for putting AI into action.

Weeks 10-12

Build road map & showcases

Present results, develop a roadmap for post-program business adoption, and identify future opportunities.

Who should apply?

Is the AI Accelerator program right for your business?

This program is designed for small businesses that are ready to invest time and effort into applying AI to real business challenges.

This program is a good fit if...

You have an existing small business with established operations, repeatable processes, and recurring revenue.
You are interested in applying AI to a specific business challenge or process.
You can dedicate approximately 10 hours per week during the program.
You are willing to test, iterate, and implement new ways of working.
You want hands-on support from practitioners and experts.

This program may not be the best fit if...

You are looking only for introductory AI education.
Your business is in the idea stage, you have not yet established a legal entity and/or you are not yet generating revenue.
You do not have clear and established business processes you want to improve.
You cannot commit time to weekly assignments and live sessions.
You are looking for a fully self-paced program without live sessions, group discussions, or expert support.

Apply

How to apply for the program.

The application process is designed to identify small businesses that are best positioned to benefit from a structured AI implementation program.

Initial application

Submit a short application outlining what your business does, current operations, and your interest in participating. This helps us understand your goals and determine baseline eligibility.

AI readiness diagnostic

Complete a more detailed assessment covering workflows, systems, operational challenges, and implementation readiness. This information helps determine fit and cohort placement.

Participant interview

Selected applicants will participate in a brief conversation with the program team to discuss goals, commitment level, and opportunities for AI adoption within their business.

Applications for the AI Accelerator are only available to Digital Ready users.

Not a member of Verizon Small Business Digital Ready yet? Register now for free access to our full catalog of small business learning content—and be ready to apply when AI Accelerator applications reopen.

Program experts

Practitioners. Not just presenters.

Participants learn from experienced AI practitioners, technology leaders, and implementation experts who have helped organizations successfully apply AI to real business challenges. Let’s meet a few.

Raela Ripaldi

Raela Ripaldi is a marketing leader and brand strategist with 20 years of experience, including: founding Ripaldi Communications, a marketing consultancy; Gatewai, which builds AI-powered marketing workflows; and volunteering with Women Applying AI.

Ry Le

Ry Le is an AI consultant with B.S. in Business, M.S. in AI, and pursuing M.S. in Cybersecurity/Information Security. She guides Big 4 and Fortune 500 clients through automation and digital transformation from initial discovery to full adoption.

Ramin Ramhormozi

Ramin Ramhormozi has 25+ years as an ecommerce founder, agency owner and marketer. He leads The Ecommerce Revolution community and podcast, is a certified AI instructor and advises clients through several Small Business Development Centers on AI adoption.

Wayne Buckhanan

As the founder of Mercs LLC, Wayne Buckhanan, PhD, has spent 30 years delivering technology and training solutions to human problems. His current focus is on creating generative AI tools and offering practical, accessible training for businesses.

Learn now

Discover how AI can help your business work smarter, grow faster, and achieve more.

If you’re ready to move beyond AI experimentation and explore how AI can help your business save time, improve efficiency, and support growth, explore our foundational AI courses and events today.