Program
Starts in March
Application closes Late February
Are you an artist, maker, or creative professional ready to transform your passion into a sustainable business?
BizUp Creative CV is a premier 10-week business accelerator designed specifically for the unique needs of the creative community. This program is offered by Caravanserai and Visit Greater Palm Springs to provide the "business backbone" every creative enterprise needs to thrive—from financial management and marketing to long-term operational scaling.
What the Program Offers:
Expert Training: 10 weeks of hybrid workshops covering business models, banking, digital marketing, and operations.
Dedicated Mentorship: Over 10 hours of personalized, one-on-one coaching with experts, available in English and Spanish.
High-Profile Showcase: A graduation and networking event hosted by Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Future Opportunities: Participants who successfully complete the program may gain access to potential grant funding opportunities and additional capital resources. More details regarding eligibility and funding availability will be shared during the cohort.
We are looking for motivated entrepreneurs within the arts, gallery, and creative agency sectors in the Coachella Valley who are ready to launch, stabilize, or grow their business.
Program Journey
Application
Business Location
Your business must be physically located within the Coachella Valley.
Business Stage
We welcome entrepreneurs at various early stages of their journey, including:
Side hustles or informal ventures that have already generated revenue
New businesses launched within the past three years
Existing micro or small businesses ready to grow, pivot, or formalize
Business Type
We encourage all industries and sectors to apply—even if you aren't sure your business fits the traditional definition of the "creative industry." Our goal is to support a diverse range of enterprises, including but not limited to:
Visual Arts: Painters, sculptors, photographers, and muralists.
Design: Graphic designers, architects, and interior stylists.
Makers: Woodworkers, jewelers, and artisanal craft producers.
Culinary: Specialty food producers, bakers, and catering leads.
Media: Videographers, digital marketers, and web developers.
Lifestyle: Event planners, floral designers, and fashion creators.
Business Size
While our core mission is to support startups and emerging small businesses, we welcome applications from enterprises at any stage of growth.
Language Access
The program is open to English-speaking and bilingual entrepreneurs
Spanish-language support is available upon request
Community Focus
While all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply, priority consideration may be given to those who:
Identify as women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, veterans, or persons with disabilities
Come from under-resourced communities or industries
Demonstrate a strong commitment to community impact, inclusive economic growth, or local job creation
Business Training
45 days
Mandatory
Bilingual (English and Spanish)
Virtual 10-session course
Covers compliance, finance, marketing and more
One-on-one business consulting offered by Caravan SBDC - 10 sessions
No-cost
Access to Capital
We are committed to the long-term success of our cohort. Beyond the training and coaching, graduates of the BizUp Creative CV program may be eligible to apply for exclusive seed funding and small business grants designed to help activate your growth. Eligibility and funding details will be unveiled during the course of the program.
What past participants say from our other programs
“I started my Organic Wine Exchange with a desire to educate and bring organic wines to the masses. It was a decision that I knew was the right fit for passion and experience. However, my business knowledge was not as developed as my other skill sets. Joining the BizIUp Palm Springs program offered by Caravanserai helped me develop the core of my business, work through new ideas, and stay accountable. The team of mentors became the business advisors I never had, and I am so grateful to carry on the knowledge I gained from this experience.”
Ann Arnold, Organic Wine Exchange CEO, 2024 BizUp Palm Springs participant
Offered in Partnership with
This program is also supported by Caravan SBDC, part of the larger OCIESBDC network
