About the HBCUFI Pre-Accelerator

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the HBCU Founders Initiative has partnered with 15 HBCUs to execute its pre-accelerator program. The 8-week pre-accelerator program is an advancement opportunity for early-stage startup founders and business owners who are past the ideation stage. Founders who join the program are expected to be ready to validate the problem that their idea solves and build a minimum viable product (MVP). Visit our Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 cohort yearbooks for an example of startups we have worked with before.

By joining the HBCU Founders Initiative, founders gain access to a wide range of benefits, including; mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals, tailored curriculum and workshops, networking opportunities with potential partners, and access to funding opportunities to support their startup's growth. All participants will have access to office hours with seasoned startup advisors who will help them along their entrepreneurial journey.

Pre-accelerator topics will be presented in weekly virtual cohort sessions with on-campus activities also planned (at the 15 schools listed below). If you do not currently attend or have not graduated from one of the 15 participating HBCUs, there will be a virtual-only cohort that will be open to all HBCU students and alumni. Visit our FAQs section below for additional information.

Applications for our Fall 2024 Pre-Accelerator are closed. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by September 9th.

2024-2025 Partner HBCUs

Founder Testimonials

  • "What I love the most about HBCUFI is that it provides a platform for underrepresented entrepreneurs to make their dreams a reality. I thought I would never be one of "those people'' who could pitch their startup to investors for funding. Now, because of my participation in the HBCUFI pre-accelerator, I will be competing in my first pitch competition."

    Anisa Cole, Prairie View A&M University, Class of 2025

    Founder of Activate MD

    Fall 2023 Graduate

  • “The HBCUFI Accelerator program has been life-changing for me. The mentors, speakers, and HBCUFI team are amazing and knowledgeable. I am now confident I have the tools to really take my business to the heights I want it to go.”

    Faith Shamley, Morris Brown College, Class of 2026

    Founder of Reach Worldwide

    Fall 2023 Graduate

  • "My experience with HBCUFI affirmed me as a Black founder and made me believe in my ability to scale. When I first started my company, I thought support for Black HBCU founders was nonexistent. HBCUFI let me know that was not the case."

    Deaz Nunoo, Delaware State University, Class of 2023

    Founder of DormShops

    Fall 2023 Graduate

  • “My experience at my HBCU not only enriched my academic knowledge, it also played a pivotal role in my personal growth as a person of color. The HBCU Founders Initiative has mirrored that experience for me. I've harnessed a different level of self-awareness as a diverse founder, allowing me to thrive in the fields of entrepreneurship, business, and startups.

    Andre Bunchanan, Texas Southern University, Class of 2021

    Founder of Athletech

    Fall 2023 Graduate

 FAQs

  • The HBCU Founders Initiative (HBCUFI) is a nonprofit organization committed to locking arms with entrepreneurs and organizations that share our belief that having a diversity of ideas and perspectives is both the right thing to do and good for business.

    HBCUFI assists rising students and alumni across all HBCUs interested in developing technology-enabled solutions that close the wealth gap.

    From the ideation stage to the investment stage and beyond, the HBCU Founders Initiative offers programs, events, financial and advisory resources, and a vast network committed to supporting HBCU founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

  • The HBCU Founders Initiative’s pre-accelerator operates as a selective and competitive program. The HBCU Founders Initiative is open to current students and alumni from HBCUs who have a business idea or an early-stage startup.

    We welcome applicants from various disciplines and backgrounds. Due to limited capacity, preference will be given to students first.

  • We are excited to announce the timeline for applying to the HBCU Founders Initiative's Fall 2024 Pre-Accelerator program which will run from September 23rd - November 12th. This program will provide HBCU founders with invaluable support and resources to launch and scale their startups.

    Please take note of the following important dates:

    Application Period: August 19th - September 2nd

    During this period, we will be accepting applications for HBCUFI’s Fall 2024 Pre-Accelerator program. Our team will thoroughly review all submitted applications on a rolling basis.

    We encourage founders to carefully review the application requirements and submit your application before the deadline on September 2nd.

    Application Review: September 3rd - September 6th

    During this week our team will consider factors such as the uniqueness of your business idea, market potential, team composition, and your commitment and passion.

    Decisions go out: September 9th

    By this date, we will notify all applicants of their acceptance status for the Pre-Accelerator program. Please keep an eye on your email during this time for an update on your application.

    Orientation: September 16th

    The orientation session is a crucial event where accepted participants will be introduced to the program structure, resources, and expectations. We strongly encourage all accepted participants to attend this session to maximize the benefits of the Pre-Accelerator program.

    Run time: September 23rd - November 12th

    Once the program begins, founders will embark on a transformative journey of mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, and access to funding resources.

    November 18th: Virtual Demo Day

    Upon completion of the program, founders in our virtual cohort will present their startups and pitch decks to a small panel of investors, partners, and industry experts for feedback.

  • The program encompasses a comprehensive range of topics, including validating the idea, customer discovery, building a prototype, product roadmapping, learning how to pitch, marketing and branding strategies, legal operations, and fundraising techniques.

  • Yes, you can still apply even if you don't have a fully formed business idea. Our program is designed to help individuals at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey. If you are passionate about entrepreneurship and have the drive to learn and explore new opportunities, we encourage you to apply.

  • The selection process for HBCUFI’s Pre-Accelerator program is based on a thorough evaluation of each applicant's business idea or startup. Our team reviews applications, considering factors such as the uniqueness and viability of the idea, market potential, team composition, and the applicant's commitment and passion.

  • No, there is no cost associated with participating in the HBCU Founders Initiative. Our program is free for selected participants and for partnering HBCUs. We aim to remove financial barriers and provide equal opportunities for HBCU entrepreneurs to succeed.

  • Founders who participate in our program are eligible for funding opportunities, but startup funding upon completion of the program is not a guarantee. Our team reviews factors such as overall performance, level of growth, venture viability, and a founder’s final pitch deck presentation before awarding funding.

  • After completing the Pre-Accelerator program, participants become part of the HBCU Founders Initiative alumni network. This network provides ongoing support, access to resources, and opportunities for collaboration and continued growth. Alumni can also participate in future events, mentor new cohorts, and contribute to the overall mission of empowering HBCU entrepreneurs.

  • There are several ways to support the HBCU Founders Initiative:

    1. Volunteer your time and expertise as a mentor or workshop facilitator.

    2. Share your knowledge and experiences by participating.

    3. Connect us with corporations or interested sponsors.

Partner With Us.

The HBCU Founders Initiative is excited to partner with the nation’s 100+ HBCUs. We select partner HBCUs based on their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and their ability to support and engage students and alumni in entrepreneurial activities.

HBCUs interested in partnering with us can fill out this form, to be added to our waitlist.

The HBCU Founders Initiative Selects 5 Additional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to Its Pre-Accelerator Program Designed to Scale Entrepreneurial Education.