The Black Ambition Prize is a grant competition from Black Ambition, Pharrell Williams' initiative, that funds early-stage ventures founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs across the United States. The competition supports startups in five categories including Consumer Products and Services, providing access to growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors.

Black Ambition aims to remove barriers for Black and Hispanic/Latinx founders by offering funding at the earliest stages of business development—before traditional investors typically engage. Eligible applicants must include at least one Black or Hispanic/Latinx founding member building an early-stage venture. Awards range from $20,000 to $1,000,000 for top-performing teams.

The application deadline has not been publicly announced for the current cycle.

Black Ambition | 2025 Applications Application Development Resources Fundable Founders Program 2025 Semifinalists Announcement 2025 Finalists Announcement 2025 Prize Winners Announcement Application Development Resources Fundable Founders Program 2025 Semifinalists Announcement 2025 Finalists Announcement 2025 Prize Winners Announcement Application Development Resources Fundable Founders Program 2025 Semifinalists Announcement 2025 Finalists Announcement 2025 Prize Winners Announcement Application Development Resources Fundable Founders Program 2025 Semifinalists Announcement 2025 Finalists Announcement 2025 Prize Winners Announcement Words of Advice from 2024 $1M Grand Prize Winner What would our world look like if underrepresented innovators were given the access, guidance, and support needed to excel, uninterrupted?

This is the question Black Ambition seeks to answer. 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.

Today, we embrace the fact that you are ready, you are qualified, you are Black Ambition at its finest. And we want to see it, right now. Not after your business has made its first five figures (or even it’s first five dollars).

Not after you gain thousands of followers. Today. Unhindered.

Uninterrupted. Undisrupted. Black Ambition finds, funds, and fuels the businesses of the future.

Most importantly, we believe that the future looks like you. The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for underrepresented founders across the nation to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors.

Eligible applicants consist of diverse innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories: Consumer Products and Services Consumer Products and Services (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 $20,000 to $100,000.

150-200 semi-finalists will be selected to participate in our premier 3-month Black Ambitionist mentorship program Because it’s time to even the playing field. There’s not just space for more underrepresented 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 $20,000 to $100,000. Select applicants will receive the following support services .

Over $1M in funding available for underrepresented founders Pitch, Wellness and Leadership workshops Online and in-person events and funder introductions Pitch, Wellness and Leadership workshops Online and in-person events and funder introductions Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands More than $1m through partners and events Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands Information Sessions and Webinars: Register for two upcoming webinars to learn more about the application process, hear from alumni, and engage directly with our team.

April 22, 2025, at 12pm PST Founders Panel: Prize Winner Alumni Spotlight April 24, 2025, at 12pm PST 2024 $1M Grand Prize Winner “ Winning Black Ambition was more than just funding; it was a turning point that brought validation, opportunity, and a catalyst for growth. With their investment, we’ve been able to scale our vision, refine our strategy, and launch into new levels of success.

The support from Black Ambition extends beyond capital—it encompasses mentorship, strategic workshops, and a vibrant community of visionary founders that fuels innovation and accountability. “ CEO and Founder of RedDrop and 2024 Black Ambition Prize winner 2023 $1M Grand Prize Winner “Winning the 2023 Black Ambition Prize has been a transformative experience for us.

As an education technology company catering to families and children with learning differences, we operate in a niche within a niche. This demands unapologetic focus, strategic resource management, community engagement, and securing capital in a market often overlooked by mainstream investors. The Black Ambition Prize not only provided vital financial support but also opened doors to merge special education and luxury.

For many families, having help to navigate special education is a luxury, and we aim to provide that experience by offering top-tier technology advantages without the struggle. This approach is made possible through Black Ambition’s extensive network, resources, and empowering community. I firmly believe in doing things fabulously and fiercely because ambition is my habit.

With the support of Black Ambition, we are empowered to pursue our dreams confidently, knowing we have a strong community backing us every step of the way. ” Founder/CEO of Expert IEP 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 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. Review frequently asked questions The application will be open for 10 weeks, plenty of time to bring your A-game. Selected semifinalists will participate in a mentorship program to refine their application and advance their business.

These teachings will not just serve them in their efforts during this endeavor but through their entire business journey. Prize winners will be announced at the Black Ambition Demo Day in November 2025.

Black Ambitionist Mentorship Program kick off Top 50 Finalists announced Public Voting Competition Winners announced at National Demo Day Celebration 2022 $1M GRAND PRIZE WINNER 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. 2021 $1M GRAND PRIZE WINNER 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 “With Black Ambition, the goal is to help strengthen the pipeline of talented entrepreneurs… …and close the opportunity and wealth gaps derived from limited access to capital and resources. ” Founder of Black Ambition Black Ambition empowers underrepresented innovators and communities to excel uninterrupted.

Founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, Black Ambition empowers underrepresented innovators and communities to excel, uninterrupted. To date, Black Ambition has awarded approximately $13M to 131 innovative entrepreneurs. Black Ambition network founders have gone on to raise more than $280M collectively.

This endeavor has 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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