So Ambitious HBCU Pre-Accelerator Program
Black Ambition works to increase the pipeline of diverse entrepreneurs as well as the number of underrepresented entrepreneurs who succeed at raising the startup capital needed for their businesses. Black Ambition is working to close America’s wealth and opportunity gaps through an annual prize competition and a series of training initiatives for entrepreneurs at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and, more broadly, underrepresented entrepreneurs across the country.
What is the So Ambitious Pre-Accelerator Program?
Black Ambition’s So Ambitious Pre-Accelerator Program is an 8-week, cross-institutional program powered by ACT House that provides entrepreneurship education, leadership development and ecosystem connections for HBCU students and recent alumni to validate, refine and scale early-stage business ventures across technology, media and entertainment, healthcare, AI and/or consumer products and services.s
This virtual 8-week pre-accelerator program will address the following topics:
Program Details
- How to Develop and MVP
- Positioning Your Product in the Market
- Branding and Marketing Your Business
- Understanding Your Customer & Market Opportunity
- Designing for Equity
- Revenue and Financial Models
- Mastering Your Pitch & Building an Investor Timeline
Participants will benefit from:
- Cohort-based programming designed for HBCU students & alumni
- Exclusive network building opportunities with leaders in business, technology, & innovation
- Mentoring from technical experts & experienced entrepreneurs
- Access to $100k in funding support via a virtual Demo Day and pitch competition adjudicated by real investors and startup champions on October 16th, 2025
Applications for the 2025 program will open in June.
Questions? Reach out to HBCUpre-accelerator@blackambitionprize.com
Eligibility Criteria
To Apply, you MUST be:
- A current student (undergraduate or graduate) or recent alumni within 5 years (graduated or departed without degree conferral) of an accredited HBCU.
- In the early stage of your for-profit venture, currently scaling or developing your MVP and have not raised more than $1m in dilutive funding to date.
- Able to up to two 60-minute content sessions each week over the course of 8 weeks (content will be recorded)
- At least 18 years of age
Info Session
Learn about the benefits, format, and impact of the So Ambitious HBCU Pre-Accelerator Program by Black Ambition and ACT House.
So Ambitious Pre-Accelerator HBCU Program
June 27, 2025, at 11am – 12pm MDT
Learn More
Learn more about this opportunity: https://blackambitionprize.com/so-ambitious-hbcu-pre-accelerator-program/
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Related Resources
THE TRUTH IS, BLACK AMBITION IS LIMITLESS
Access is not. Black Ambition is a non-profit initiative working to close the opportunity and wealth gap through entrepreneurship. We invest capital and resources in high-growth startups founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs. We believe entrepreneurs historically left out of traditional investment funnels are building the companies of tomorrow.
Pharrell Williams is a visionary recording artist, producer, songwriter, philanthropist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and founder of Black Ambition. He has been a creative force in the music industry and beyond for more than two decades.
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