TAP Forward is a three-month, hybrid accelerator program designed specifically for early-stage and growing agency startups. Whether you run a marketing firm, digital studio, analytics consultancy, branding shop, or software development agency—this program is built to help you break through growth plateaus and lead with confidence.
Founders will develop and refine strategies for business development, client acquisition, and building a predictable sales pipeline. The program covers pricing models, proposal creation, and revenue planning to help agencies move beyond one-off projects and into consistent income streams. By the end, founders will have tools to improve profitability and close higher-value contracts.
TAP Forward helps founders shift from day-to-day execution to strategic leadership. Through coaching and peer learning, participants will gain confidence as visionary CEOs who can motivate teams, set a strong company culture, and make informed decisions. The focus is on helping founders lead with clarity, purpose, and long-term vision..
Participants will learn how to build and optimize repeatable processes that support growth. From hiring the right team to developing efficient project management systems including AI tools and agents, the program provides practical tools to improve delivery and client experience. Founders will leave with a foundation to scale without sacrificing quality or burning out.
Through a combination of an online community, industry roundtables, peer connections, best practice sessions, and mental health support sessions, TAP forward empowers founders to navigate the complexities of the earliest stage of the agency startup journey with confidence and resilience.
Online Community: A Slack group with other founders where you can ask/provide for help, share your wins, and discuss startup-related news,
Sales Evaluations: 30 minute virtual presentations to rate your sales pitch, give feedback, etc.
Best Practice Sessions: Virtual sessions where founders and experts discuss best practices on tactics in operations, sales, marketing, leadership, etc.
Industry Roundtables: Held every 2nd Thursday on video, founders, corporate employees and investors in industries such as Health Innovation discuss industry trends, news, opportunities, and more.
All Founders Need Therapy sessions: It’s hard being the leader. Held every 3rd Thursday on video and in select cities in person, this support group gives you the platform to vent about frustrations you’re having being an entrepreneur to other entrepreneurs.
Accountability Reports: At the end of each month, you’ll fill out an online form to rate your morale, describe progress, share wins, and ask for help. You have access to your historical reports via the Founder Platform.
Perks & Discounts: Access to 150+ discounts on products you’ll need to operate your startup and perks with brands like citizenM Hotel.
Recommended Product & Service Providers: Vetted service providers (legal, accounting, tech, etc) that you can hire and products that are good for startups.
Special Event Invitations: Invites to events dinners, happy hours, etc. especially during conferences.
Founder Platform: online portal to view the founders, coaches, investors, and the community, access perks and discounts, and more.
The TAP Forward Accelerator is guided by an advisory board composed of seasoned agency owners and operators who bring deep expertise across marketing, digital, analytics, design, and consulting services. Their insights help shape the program curriculum and provide founders with real-world guidance on scaling successful agency businesses.
The program is designed for founders who lead early-stage or growing agency businesses, including marketing, branding, digital, analytics, design, software development, and consulting firms.
We’re looking for agency startups that have early traction—typically with consistent revenue, a growing client base, and a desire to scale operations and leadership capacity. You should be past the idea stage and already serving clients.
No, there is no cost to participate in the TAP Forward Accelerator. Fundamentally, we don’t believe in charging founders for support. We only ask that you “pay” with your time and effort.
It is fully funded through Goodie Nation and its partners to support the growth of agency startups led by diverse founders.
Nope.
Great question. Its designed to not pull you away from building your company. Expect about 2-3 hours a week at maximum, and more if you’d like more assistance. Main thing is keeping in contact with your Performance Partner as well as the people we put you in touch with.
Yes. Goodie Nation’s network of partners, sponsors, and alumni often leads to business development opportunities and strategic connections for participating founders.
Nope, but we do provide a ton of free resources and direction to funding opportunities.
Absolutely. Solo founders are encouraged to apply, especially if they are looking to grow their team, increase capacity, and build systems for scale.
For the amount of human and social capital we invest, we’re looking for founders that have committed to their companies full-time.
The TAP Forward Accelerator features a hybrid format, combining virtual programming with select in-person events. Most workshops and coaching sessions are held online for accessibility, while key gatherings—such as the kickoff, networking mixers, or the closing showcase—are hosted in-person to foster deeper connections.
For 2025, we are focused on agencies with, at least, one co-founder living in Metro Atlanta.
The program is supported by an advisory board of successful agency owners and operators who offer mentorship, guidance, and curated content based on real-world experience.
Our application process includes a company application as well as video interviews for those that make it past an initial vetting process.
You can apply directly on the TAP Forward Accelerator website. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline listed on the application page.
Partnering with TAP Forward aligns your brand with inclusive economic development, entrepreneurial innovation, and leadership advancement. You’ll gain visibility among a network of rising agency founders, contribute to meaningful business growth, and demonstrate your commitment to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
In a few different ways. The biggest opportunity is partnering with a company for a pilot. Also, you could serve as industry expert coaches. And you can always be a sponsor!
Opportunities include financial sponsorship, in-kind support (such as software or services), event hosting, speaker contributions, and custom activations tied to specific program milestones like the kickoff, workshops, or demo day.
Great question! Thanks for asking:) To really reach this program’s potential, we’re looking for financial, venue, and food/beverage sponsors.
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