Inspiring Entrepreneurship at HBCUs

Launched by Nex Cubed, the HBCU Founders Initiative (HBCUFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers entrepreneurs from HBCUs to create tech-enabled solutions, addressing challenges on campus, nationwide, and abroad. 

Our core thesis is that by providing underresourced innovators at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) with access to capital and curriculum to scale their startups, we can help reduce the wealth gap that has persisted for generations – through the power of entrepreneurship. To date, over 1,500 students and alumni from 80+ HBCUs have participated in the HBCUFI programming. 

Our sector-agnostic community is developing tech-enabled solutions in AI, climate tech, social impact, health care, education, financial services, supply chain, and e-commerce.

From the ideation stage to the investment stage and beyond, HBCUFI offers technical resources, access to funding, and a vast network of advisors committed to supporting founders from HBCUs who are pursuing entrepreneurship.  HBCUFI alumni have raised over $2M for their startups.

Our philosophy

We ensure that innovative ideas at HBCUs don’t die on the vine because there is no one available to help cultivate them.

Filling a void

Launched in 2020, we are the first startup accelerator in support of all HBCU students and alumni nationwide.

In the next 5 years

We will support 5,000+ HBCU students and alumni who are pursuing entrepreneurship and developing solutions that close the racial wealth gap.