So Ambitious
A Majority Matters Entrepreneurship Collaborative Initiative
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Investing in Black entrepreneurs benefits everyone.
The median net worth for Black business owners is 12x higher than Black non-business owners.
Black businesses are more likely to hire diverse employees regardless of the diversity of the surrounding area.
Startups with ethnically diverse founders typically return more capital to investors.
What is the So Ambitious Pre-Accelerator Program?
So Ambitious is an 8-week, cross-institutional pre-accelerator program that provides entrepreneurship education, leadership development & ecosystem connections for students to launch successful ventures. Participants will pitch for $30,000 at Demo Day!
Program Details
Cohort-based programming designed for HBCU students & alumni
Networking with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous leaders in business, technology, & innovation
Mentoring from technical experts & experienced entrepreneurs
Demo Day with real investors and startup champions
Cohort Perks
Cash grants up to $30,000 co-sponsored by Black Ambition Prize
LLC registration sponsored by ZenBusiness
Feature in HBCU Founders’ Initiative Lookbook
Prepare4VC Mentor Network
Session Topics
Develop Effective Problem Statements
Aligned Solutions
Understand Your Customer & Market Opportunity
Positioning Your Product in the Market
Designing for Equity
Branding and Marketing Your Business
Grow Your Business and Check Progress with KPIs
Master Your Pitch & Build an Investor Timeline
Our Ideal Cohort
All Industry Verticals
All business industries and target markets (including non-profits)
Idea-stage or pre-revenue
Seeking founders that have developed a business concept but have generated minimal or no sales
Lifestyle & Venture Scale
Ranging from non-tech passive income strategies to high growth startups
Eligibility Criteria
To Apply, you (or a team member) MUST be:
A current student or recent graduate (2019 to current) of an accredited HBCU
In the idea stage or early stage of your venture
Able to join an hour-long session once a week
Able to meet with a Mentor once a week
Our Ideal Candidate Is:
A self-starter: takes initiative and willingness to undertake new challenges
Adaptable: flexible in new situations
Curious: has a love for learning, including but not limited to academic, interpersonal and experience-based
Persistent: resilient through obstacles and challenge
Community-Oriented: open to working with others and striving towards building a community
Key Dates
Mentorship Program
The So Ambitious HBCU Pre-Accelerator Program is designed to support the growth and development of HBCU founders and underpin the growth of a thriving HBCU entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment for this program?
Participants must commit 1 hour/week to educational sessions and 1 hour/week to meeting with assigned mentor.
What kind of business do I need to apply?
All industries are welcome to apply, including non-profits. This program is specifically designed for founders that have developed a business concept but have generated minimal or no sales.
What are the session topics covered in this program?
Develop Effective Problem Statements, Aligned Solutions, Understand Your Customer & Market Opportunity, Positioning Your Product in the Market, Designing for Equity, Branding and Marketing Your Business, Grow Your Business and Check Progress with KPIs, and Master Your Pitch & Build an Investor Timeline.
Is this program in-person or virtual?
Virtual.
How much does it cost to participate?
This program is free!
How many founders can participate?
The full team is welcome to participate in weekly sessions however only one founder may participate in mentorship sessions, and should be the same founder each week.
What if my co-founders or I don’t attend an HBCU?
At least one team member MUST be a current student or recent graduate (2019 to current) of an accredited HBCU.
Does my business need to be incorporated to participate?
No.
In Partnership With
