The Black Ambition Prize competition strengthens pathways to entrepreneurship, increases access to capital, expands pathways to growth, and highlights the talents of underrepresented founders.
Donor Name: Black Ambition
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes
Deadline: 05/02/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Black Ambition seeks to support entrepreneurs from backgrounds that have historically been overlooked by venture capital funding. To be eligible to apply, a team must have at least one founding member from such a background, including, but not limited to, backgrounds such as Black/African/African American, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, LGBTQ, parents with earned income below the poverty level, first-generation immigrants, first-generation college graduates, and those raised by a single parent. Founders from any background traditionally overlooked in venture capital funding may apply regardless of race.
Teams applying for the Black Ambition Prize must have at least one founder or co-founder, who identifies as an underrepresented founder. A member of the founding team is defined as having a C-Suite or VP-level role. Eligible ventures must be growth-ready companies that have not yet raised more than $1M in dilutive funding to date and innovating in:
- Technology
- Healthcare
- Consumer Products and/or Services
- Media and Entertainment
- Artificial Intelligence.
Funding Information
Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $20,000 to $100,000.
Select applicants will receive the following support services.
- Growth capital
- Coaching
- Pitch, Wellness, and Leadership workshops
- Community
- Online and in-person events and funder introductions
- Cohort-based Mentorship
- Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands
- Resources – Supports valued at more than $20k through partners
- Marketing, vending and product placement opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria
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 AI.
- 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
- Black Ambition seeks to support entrepreneurs from backgrounds that have historically been overlooked by venture capital funding. To be eligible to apply, a team must have at least one founding member from such a background, including, but not limited to, backgrounds such as Black/African/African American, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, LGBTQ, parents with earned income below the poverty level, first-generation immigrants, first-generation college graduates, and those raised by a single parent. Founders from any background traditionally overlooked in venture capital funding may apply regardless of race.
- 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 more information, visit Black Ambition.
