HBCU Founders Initiative - Pitch Competition
Nex Cubed
About the Grant
Since 2023, 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 together to host the Better Futures pitch competition. Better Futures is a national showcase of the entrepreneurial excellence booming out of the nation's 100+ HBCUs. The competition features startups led by HBCU students and alumni from the HBCUFI network who are building innovative solutions and creating better futures.
The Better Futures pitch competition has traditionally been held at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C. with $25,000 in prizes distributed across the top three winners annually.
Notes
Note: The 2025 grant window has closed but this is an annual program. Check back for updates on this year's application window, expected to open in Spring 2026
Related Grants
West Salem Redevelopment Grant
City of Salem
Salem offers a matching grant program to help finance the construction of a new building, or building additions, for commercial, industrial, or mixed-uses in West Salem Urban Renewal Area (URA). Manufacturing equipment and related building improvements may also be eligible.
WI Entrepreneurial Training Program
WI Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is partnering to offer Entrepreneurial Training Program reimbursement of up to 75% of the $1,000 course fee. The course is designed to help early-stage startups vet their ideas and learn how to develop an investment-ready business plan. Grant recipients must comply with requirements that include meeting attendance standards and completing a business plan within six months of starting the program.
Wareham Storefront Renovation Grant
Town of Wareham
The Wareham Redevelopment Authority has created the Storefront Renovation Grant Program to support improvements to commercial properties and businesses. The program aims to encourage investment within businesses and improve the appearance and safety of major areas within town. The Storefront Renovation Grant program offers grants of up to $7,500 for upgrades such as signage, landscaping, lighting, painting and exterior repairs. Businesses will contribute 20% of project costs.
Orlando Facade Program
City of Orlando
The purpose of the DTO Facade Program is to encourage building owners, businesses, and owners of certain residential properties to invest in properties by financially assisting with renovations to rehabilitate their buildings and residences. Commercial Buildings located within the "Focus Areas" shall be eligible for funding for facade improvements, roof repairs and/or roof replacements of up to $200,000 or 80% of the total facade improvements, whichever is less.
California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) Exempt Facility Bond Financing Program
CA State Treasurer's Office
Purpose: The Pollution Control Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Program facilitates low cost capital through private activity, tax-exempt bonds. The securities pay for acquisition, construction or installation of qualified pollution control, water furnishing, waste disposal, waste recovery facilities and equipment. Tax-exempt bond financing assists qualified borrowers to obtain lower interest rates than are available through conventional loans. Description: CPCFA acts as a conduit issuer in the transaction. The bonds are issued to raise capital for revenue-generating projects where the funds are used by the borrower to make payments to investors. The conduit financing is typically backed by either the borrower's credit or monies pledged to the project by outside investors. If the project fails and goes into default, it is solely the borrower's responsibility to repay the bondholders.