Now Accepting Applications

 

About the Summer Accelerator

This year, the HBCU Founders Initiative will launch its second Summer Accelerator. The program targets HBCU founders that have an MVP, have raised some funding, and are poised for commercialization and investment.

The founders who are invited to the Summer Acceleration Program will be eligible to receive up to $120,000 cash investment from the HBCU Founders Fund, physical working space in Silicon Valley, a business advisor, and over $1M worth of service provider perks and discounts to help propel their companies.

The 16-week program will take place virtually with in person components in the heart of Silicon Valley. At the culmination of the HBCU Founders Summer Acceleration Program, the participant will pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors.

 
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“This is the greatest gift to HBCU and I mean it. From the speakers to the fund, to validating ideas, learning, getting advice from experts, the benefits outweigh the message I even understood before I applied.”

- Perewari Pere, Trameter 

What you get

  • Cash

    Upon invitation to the program, founders will be eligible to receive up to $120,000 in cash investment.

  • Program

    16-week virtual program with in person components in the heart of Silicon Valley.

  • Experts

    Dedicated Subject Matter Expert Advisor.

  • Mentorship

    Mentorship from world-leading innovation minds.

  • Investors

    Access to the HBCUFI Investor Network.

  • Pitches

    Opportunity to pitch to panel of Investors.

  • Perks

    Over $1M worth of service provider perks and discounts.

  • Resources

    Lifetime support and access to the HBCUFI ecosystem.

Hear From the Experts

Past Speakers:

John Thompson
Chairman of the Board, Microsoft 
(Florida A&M University)

Dan Rosensweig
CEO, Chegg

Justin Tuck
Vice President, Goldman Sachs

Sarah Kunst
Managing Director, Cleo Capital

 

Farhan Siddiqi
Chief Digital Officer, Ahold Delhaize

Merline Saintil
Past Head of Operations, Product & Technology, Intuit; Board Member, GitLab, Alkami Technology & Banner Bank
(Florida A&M University)

Shani Dowell
Founder, Possip
(Howard University)

Tristan Walker
Founder, Walker & Company Brands

 

Jay Fulcher
CEO, Zenefits

Kendra Brown
VP of Public Policy and US Federal
Affairs, Mastercard
(Hampton University)

Regina Curry
Chief Diversity Officer, Franklin Templeton

 

Apply Now

If you are interested in participating in the HBCUFI Summer Accelerator, please fill out the form below.