What would our world look like if Black and Hispanic innovators were given the access, guidance, and support needed to excel, uninterrupted? This is the question Black Ambition seeks to answer.
If only…
If only you had the right guidance,
If only you had the right capital,
If only you had the shot.
Today, we remove “if” from the equation.
Black Ambition finds, funds, and fuels the businesses of the future. Most importantly, we believe that the future looks like you.
Through two separate Prize tracks, the Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for Black, Hispanic and HBCU-affiliated founders across the nation to access growth capital, pitch feedback, and mentorship. Eligible applicants consist of Black and Hispanic innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories:
Consumer Products and Services
Healthcare
Web 3.0
Consumer Products and Services
Media and Entertainment
Technology
Web 3.0
You must apply as a team
(with a minimum of two members).
We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support. Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $15,000 to $1,000,000. Up to 250 semi-finalists will be selected, with one grand prize winner receiving $1,000,000.
Why Apply?
Because it’s time to even the playing field. There’s not just space for more Black and Hispanic leaders in these industries, there’s an overwhelming necessity. Your ideas and innovation, combined with the right support, will tip the scales in a way that permanently changes the landscape in these arenas. We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support.
Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $15,000 to $1,000,000. Up to 250 semi-finalists will be
selected, with one grand prize winner receiving
$1,000,000.
In short, we need you.
Select applicants will receive the following support services.
Capital
Prize award of $15k-$1M
Pitch, Wellness and Leadership workshops
Community
Capital
Prize award of $15k-$1M
Pitch, Wellness and Leadership workshops
Community
Online and in-person events and funder introductions
Cohort-based Mentorship
Graphic Design Support
Marketing Opportunities
Cohort-based Mentorship
Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands
Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands
Graphic Design Support
Marketing Opportunities
Justin Turk, 2021 Black Ambition Prize Winner and Founder and CEO of Livegistics
People who think that winning Black Ambition is about the prize money have it all wrong. The network, the education, the resources are so much more important than the dollars. Being part of this organization has changed the trajectory of all of our lives here at Livegistics. Everyone who is part of this process will leave better off than they came. When 2022’s competition is over, don’t let money be the only thing you walk away with.
– Justin Turk, CEO of Livegistics
This is not about a short term cash injection or a “feel good” pep talk and a pat on the back. We’ve specifically designed the structure of each prize level to focus on the longevity of your business, so your ideas can continue coming to fruition 5, 10, or 15 years down the line.
This will not only change you, but it will also change your business, and with time…your entire industry.
That is why we want to see you apply.
With that in mind, we have carefully curated our eligibility requirements to ensure the prizes hold the highest impact potential for those they are awarded to.
BLACK AMBITION PRIZE RECIPIENTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Be a for-profit venture in the fields of consumer products and services, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, and / or web 3.0.
- Are already, or intend to be, legally incorporated in the U.S.
- Have demonstrated progress against a business concept as illustrated by a minimum viable product and/or existing consumer base.
- Have raised less than $1M in dilutive funding at the time of applying for the award.
- All team members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
- Eligible teams must include at least one founding member that identifies as Black/African/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx. A founding member is a team member having the title of CEO, Vice President or other C-level role (e.g., the CEO or an executive-level direct report to the CEO).
- Each team must have a minimum of two team members. A team member is defined as an individual playing a critical role for the venture (e.g., employee, essential contracted support) with responsibilities for specific work streams or deliverables for the venture.
- The lead of the venture (defined as the CEO or President, or most senior role on the founding team) must be a legal U.S. resident and based in the U.S.
- For those applying for the HBCU Track: Eligible teams must have at least one founding team member who is the team lead and an HBCU-affiliated individual (a current student, a recent alum within five years of graduating, or a former student within five years of attending the institution) that identifies as Black / African / African American and / or Hispanic / Latina / Latino / Latinx.
LEARN TIPS FOR SUBMITTING A WINNING APPLICATION
March 8, 2023 | 3pm EST/12pm PST | Black Ambition HBCU Prize Webinar
This workshop will provide an overview of the 2023 Black Ambition HBCU Prize competition and curated support services as well as answer questions from prospective applicants in the Black HBCU Prize track about the application process and eligibility criteria. This discussion will be recorded and posted on the Black Ambition website.
March 9, 2023 | 3pm EST/12pm PST | General Prize Webinar
This workshop will provide an overview of the 2023 Black Ambition Prize competition and curated support services as well as answer questions from prospective applicants in the Black Ambition Prize track about the application process and eligibility criteria. This discussion will be recorded and posted on the Black Ambition website.
Program Timeline
Applications Open
Application Development Workshop, HBCU Track
April 2023
May 8th, 2023
September 2023
September 2023
National Demo Day
Camille Bell, 2022 Black Ambition Prize Winner and Co-Founder and CEO of Pound Cake.
Since winning the Black Ambition Prize 2022, I’m feeling invigorated, energized, and excited about our future! The Black Ambition Prize experience has made me so much more confident when pitching our brand to other investors, retailers, suppliers, and more! I’ve also been able to make new and meaningful connections with folks I’ve only dreamed of networking with!
I feel like an expert now when it comes to pitching our brand now that I’ve completed the Black Ambition experience. Whether I need to pitch our story in 15 seconds, or five minutes, I’m prepared. If you’re on the fence about applying, DO IT!! I wasn’t too sure where I would land since the competition was so fierce. Not only did Pound Cake come in first place, but I learned how to be a better leader and businesswoman.
– Camille Bell
What would our world look like if Black and Hispanic innovators were given the access, guidance, and support needed to excel uninterrupted? This is the question Black Ambition seeks to answer.
Founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, Black, Hispanic, and HBCU-affiliated ventures in consumer products and services, media and entertainment, healthcare, technology and Web 3.0 are eligible to win up to $1M.
To date nearly $6M dollars has been awarded to founders who are here to shift the way the product, healthcare, media, and web industry moves, thinks, and performs. Black Ambition’s endeavors have been recognized by Forbes, Essence, Complex, and many more for driving meaningful change. It also was the winner of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas award for Impact Investing, and named one of Fast Company’s 2022 Most Innovative Companies
Follow us at @blackambitionprize on Instagram to learn more about our regional programming and special events.