Studies reveal that individuals from Black and Brown communities receive disproportionately low levels of venture capital, accounting for less than 1% of total funding. Our program is specifically tailored to address the unique needs and challenges faced by those who have historically been underserved and underfunded within the venture capital ecosystem.
Our mission is to provide Black/Brown woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship.
We fund and scale tech-enabled, revenue-generating businesses (under $1M). We ignite civic engagement and hyperlocal infrastructure at the intersection of business support services, supplier diversity, social and financial capital.
The Black Girl Ventures (BGV) NextGen Program is a curated program between BGV and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the next generation of Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Throughout the eight-week curriculum, a cohort of 25 student visionaries will receive structured learning sessions including (but not limited to) pitching, fundraising, customer discovery, ecosystem mapping, and understanding the investor mindset.
Program Benefits:
$5,000 stipend - plus non-monetary resources to help expand the business idea.
Personal and professional development through the BGV Jetpack for Entrepreneurs.
Access to a network of like-minded student visionaries, mentors, and subject matter experts who will provide feedback to solidify and grow their business and community.
The opportunity to pitch your business to funders.
Access to BGV’s expanding network of partners and capital providers.
Welcome to BGV's 2024 Pitch Program. If you're a founder in Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago or NYC, apply to our pitch program TODAY!
The BGV Pitch Program flips the traditional pitch experience on its head: we coach entrepreneurs, host a live crowdfunded pitch competition, then connect them to community and professionals to support them on their journey. You don't need to have experience pitching, nor do you need to have a pitch deck already created.
Studies reveal that individuals from Black and Brown communities receive disproportionately low levels of venture capital, accounting for less than 1% of total funding. Our program is specifically tailored to address the unique needs and challenges faced by those who have historically been underserved and underfunded within the venture capital ecosystem
To be considered for this program, applicants must be :
- Revenue generating
- In good standing
- Located in the city you're applying
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Candidates that have personal values that are in alignment with BGV’s mission and purpose.
- Candidates that are passionate about bringing their ideas to the table, empower other student visionaries and build community
- Candidates that exhibit good decision making skills and conduct themselves in an ethical manner that reflects BGV Core Values.
What you'll gain
- 1st Place Winner: $15K
- 2nd Place Winner: $10K
- 3rd Place Winner: $5K
- A portion of the funds raised from the audience’s votes on Raisify.co
- Membership to the BGV Connect Incubator
- Direct funding and access to a new network of business owners and investors.
Deadlines by city:
Austin: April 26 (applications close), May 7th (program starts)
Chicago: June 14 (applications close), June 24 (program starts)
NYC: October 9 (applications close), October 17 (program starts)
Los Angeles: November 6 (applications close), November 15 (program starts)