Better Futures
Pitch Competition

April 18, 2024 | Washington, DC

Compete for $25,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding

The HBCU Founders Initiative (HBCUFI) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), a philanthropic organization that funds scholarships for Black students and 37 HBCUs, have partnered to host the second annual Better Futures competition.

The competition will be held on April 18th at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C., and will feature 5 top-performing HBCUFI startups that are building innovative solutions and creating better futures. $25,000 in prizes will be distributed to the top three winners. 

Applications for the Better Futures competition will be open February 26 - March 11. Visit our FAQs section below for more information. If you have any additional questions please reach out to Program Coordinator Miranda Perez, miranda@hbcufi.org.

*Startups that pitched at last year’s Better Futures event are ineligible to pitch.

Meet our 2023 Better Futures Competition Winners

  • Ahriana Edwards, Founder of Vaila Shoes

    1st Place

  • Angel Teagle, Founder of Car Seat Companion

    2nd Place

  • Leslie Winston, Founder of Monocole

    3rd Place

 FAQs

  • The Better Futures competition will provide a platform for 12 HBCUFI founders to showcase their companies to investors, corporations, and HBCU enthusiasts.

    Each semi-finalist will present their companies at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.

    Of those 12 semi-finalists, 5 finalists will have the opportunity to present and compete in a pitch competition. $25,000 in prizes will be distributed to the top three winners.

    Semi-finalists will be flown out to Washington, D.C., and spend the days of April 17-19th engaging with HBCUFI partners and mingling with the investor community in the DMV.

  • The competition will take place on April 18, 2024 at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

    Founders who become semi-finalists can expect to be in D.C. from April 17th-April 19th. Travel and lodging will be covered by HBCUFI and its partnes.

  • Founders who have completed HBCUFI’s programming since Fall 2022 are eligible to apply. Spring 2024 cohort members and Design for Social Good Workshop attendees are eligible to apply as well.

    Startups that pitched at last year’s Better Futures event are ineligible to pitch.

  • Application Window: February 26th - March 11th.

    12 Semi-Finalists Notified: Monday, March 22nd.

    Social Media Voting Campaign to Determine 5 Finalists: March 29th - April 5th.

    Finalists Announcement: April 10th.

    Competition Date: April 18th.

  • After becoming a semi-finalist, founders will attend office hours hosted by HBCUFI, its corporate advisors, and investor advisory board members to further refine their pitches ahead of he competition. These office hours will be held between March 27th - April 10th.

    During this process, semi-finalists will engage in a social media fueled voting campaign, that will contribute, but not fully determine, the five finalists competing on April 18.