About Us
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 Programs
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Pre-Accelerator Program
Each semester, our 8-week Pre-Accelerator guides founders as they validate their business ideas, build an MVP, tap into expert support, and navigate pathways that propel their ventures forward.
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Better Futures Pitch Competition
Better Futures is a national showcase celebrating the innovation and entrepreneurial excellence rising from the nation’s 100+ HBCUs. It gives founders a platform to showcase their groundbreaking startups, increase their visibility, and compete for funding to accelerate growth.
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Designing For Social Good
The Designing for Social Good program is an 8-hour immersive workshop that brings together HBCU students and subject matter experts to ideate solutions to social challenges using Design Thinking.
Our Story
In 2020, Nex Cubed, a Bay Area-based venture accelerator on a mission to help support and accelerate underrepresented founders, recognized their ability to further fuel the untapped potential within the entrepreneurial ecosystem at HBCUs.
That summer, they launched the HBCU Founder's program, reaching over 350 students and alumni from more than 50 HBCUs.
The success of this inaugural effort led to the establishment of HBCUFI as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting HBCU students and alumni on their entrepreneurial journeys.
HBCUFI is the first accelerator of its kind, ensuring that innovative ideas at HBCUs do not die on the vine due to a lack of resources.
In our early days, we were joined by esteemed organizations such as UNCF, AT&T, and Franklin Templeton to establish what, in 2025, has grown to become the largest HBCU-centered pre-accelerator in the country.
With the support of our current philanthropic partners, HBCUFI is on a mission to support over 5,000 innovators from HBCUs who are pursuing entrepreneurship to develop solutions that close the wealth gap.
Our Approach
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We equip innovators at HBCUs with entrepreneurial education delivered by founders, venture capitalists, and corporate leaders.
65% of our speakers are HBCU alumni who share both professional insights and lived experiences.
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We match each founder in our Pre-Accelerator program with a dedicated, paid advisor who offers personalized support on their entrepreneurial journey.
50% of our advisors are proud HBCU alumni, offering a powerful blend of shared educational backgrounds and mentorship.
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We offer our founders non-dilutive grant funding to kickstart their ventures. Capital is earned through competing on campus, at demo days, and in our annual Better Futures pitch competition.
“We believe the key to combating the wealth gap is by focusing on entrepreneurship.”
- Marlon Evans, President, HBCU Founders Initiative
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Donate
Your donation will help ensure that all HBCU founders have access to the resources necessary to help close the racial wealth gap.