Method and apparatus for accelerating a multi-phase motor having a rotatable rotor are disclosed. A first commutation state in which the rotor resides is identified, after which a Proportional, Integral and Derivative (PID) control routine is executed for closed loop control of an acceleration of the rotor from a stopped position to an intermediate velocity, after which back electromotive force (Bemf) commutation is used to control the motor. The PID control routine utilizes a loop gain value optimized through voltage feedback indicative of a response of windings of the rotor to an application of a drive current across the windings. Based on the voltage feedback a controller programmed with the PID control routine provides an updated commanded current for each successive commutation state of the motor for use by a motor driver circuitry, which drives the motor through each commutation state until attainment of the intermediate velocity.