2025 Prize
Competition
Words of Advice from 2024 $1M Grand Prize Winner
What would our world look like if underrepresented innovators were given the access, guidance, and support needed to excel, uninterrupted?
This is the question Black Ambition seeks to answer.
Thank you for applying!
The application for the Black Ambition Prize Competition is now closed. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to learn about when 2026 applications open in Q1!
If only…
If only you had the right guidance,
If only you had the right capital,
If only you had the shot.
Today, we remove “if” from the equation.
Black Ambition finds, funds, and fuels the businesses of the future. Most importantly, we believe that the future looks like you.
The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for underrepresented founders across the nation to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors. Eligible applicants consist of diverse innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories:
Consumer Products and Services
Healthcare
Consumer Products and Services
Media and Entertainment
Technology
You must apply as a team (with a minimum of two members).
We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support. Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $20,000 to $100,000. 150-200 semi-finalists will be selected to participate in our premier 3-month Black Ambitionist mentorship program
Why Apply?
Because it’s time to even the playing field. There’s not just space for more underrepresented leaders in these industries, there’s an overwhelming necessity. Your ideas and innovation, combined with the right support, will tip the scales in a way that permanently changes the landscape in these arenas. We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support.
Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $20,000 to $100,000.
In short, we need you:
Select applicants will receive the following support services.
Capital
Over $1M in funding available for underrepresented founders
Pitch, Wellness and Leadership workshops
Community
Capital
Prize award of $15k-$1M
Pitch, Wellness and Leadership workshops
Community
Online and in-person events and funder introductions
Cohort-based Mentorship
Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands
More than $1m through partners and events
Graphic Design Support
Marketing Opportunities
Cohort-based Mentorship
Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands
Exclusive Training Opportunities with Global Brands
Graphic Design Support
Marketing Opportunities
Information Sessions and Webinars:
Register for two upcoming webinars to learn more about the application process, hear from alumni, and engage directly with our team.
Black Ambition Prize Q&A
April 22, 2025, at 12pm PST
Founders Panel: Prize Winner Alumni Spotlight
April 24, 2025, at 12pm PST
2024 $1M Grand Prize Winner
“Winning Black Ambition was more than just funding; it was a turning point that brought validation, opportunity, and a catalyst for growth. With their investment, we’ve been able to scale our vision, refine our strategy, and launch into new levels of success. The support from Black Ambition extends beyond capital—it encompasses mentorship, strategic workshops, and a vibrant community of visionary founders that fuels innovation and accountability.“
-Dr. Monica Williams
CEO and Founder of RedDrop and 2024 Black Ambition Prize winner
“Winning the 2023 Black Ambition Prize has been a transformative experience for us. As an education technology company catering to families and children with learning differences, we operate in a niche within a niche. This demands unapologetic focus, strategic resource management, community engagement, and securing capital in a market often overlooked by mainstream investors.
The Black Ambition Prize not only provided vital financial support but also opened doors to merge special education and luxury. For many families, having help to navigate special education is a luxury, and we aim to provide that experience by offering top-tier technology advantages without the struggle. This approach is made possible through Black Ambition’s extensive network, resources, and empowering community.
I firmly believe in doing things fabulously and fiercely because ambition is my habit. With the support of Black Ambition, we are empowered to pursue our dreams confidently, knowing we have a strong community backing us every step of the way.”
-Antoinette Banks
Founder/CEO of Expert IEP
This is not about a short term cash injection or a “feel good” pep talk and a pat on the back. We’ve specifically designed the structure of each prize level to focus on the longevity of your business, so your ideas can continue coming to fruition 5, 10, or 15 years down the line.
This will not only change you, but it will also change your business, and with time…your entire industry.
That is why we want to see you apply.
With that in mind, we have carefully curated our eligibility requirements to ensure the prizes hold the highest impact potential for those they are awarded to.
BLACK AMBITION PRIZE RECIPIENTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Be a for-profit venture in the fields of consumer products and services, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, and / or AI.
- Are already, or intend to be, legally incorporated in the U.S.
- Have demonstrated progress against a business concept as illustrated by a minimum viable product and/or existing consumer base.
- Have raised less than $1M in dilutive funding at the time of applying for the award.
- All team members must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
- Black Ambition seeks to support entrepreneurs from backgrounds that have historically been overlooked by venture capital funding. To be eligible to apply, a team must have at least one founding member from such a background, including, but not limited to, backgrounds such as Black/African/African American, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, LGBTQ, parents with earned income below the poverty level, first-generation immigrants, first-generation college graduates, and those raised by a single parent. Founders from any background traditionally overlooked in venture capital funding may apply regardless of race.
- Each team must have a minimum of two team members. A team member is defined as an individual playing a critical role for the venture (e.g., employee, essential contracted support) with responsibilities for specific work streams or deliverables for the venture.
- The lead of the venture (defined as the CEO or President, or most senior role on the founding team) must be a legal U.S. resident and based in the U.S.
Program Timeline
The application will be open for 10 weeks, plenty of time to bring your A-game. Selected semifinalists will participate in a mentorship program to refine their application and advance their business. These teachings will not just serve them in their efforts during this endeavor but through their entire business journey. Prize winners will be announced at the Black Ambition Demo Day in November 2025.
February 26, 2025
Applications Open
May 9th, 2025
Application Closes
June 2025
July 2025
September 2025
September 2025
Public Voting Competition
November 2025
Camille Bell, 2022 Black Ambition Prize Winner and Co-Founder and CEO of Pound Cake.
Since winning the Black Ambition Prize 2022, I’m feeling invigorated, energized, and excited about our future! The Black Ambition Prize experience has made me so much more confident when pitching our brand to other investors, retailers, suppliers, and more! I’ve also been able to make new and meaningful connections with folks I’ve only dreamed of networking with!
I feel like an expert now when it comes to pitching our brand now that I’ve completed the Black Ambition experience. Whether I need to pitch our story in 15 seconds, or five minutes, I’m prepared. If you’re on the fence about applying, DO IT!! I wasn’t too sure where I would land since the competition was so fierce. Not only did Pound Cake come in first place, but I learned how to be a better leader and businesswoman.
– Camille Bell
2021 $1M GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Justin Turk, 2021 Black Ambition Prize Winner and Founder and CEO of Livegistics
People who think that winning Black Ambition is about the prize money have it all wrong. The network, the education, the resources are so much more important than the dollars. Being part of this organization has changed the trajectory of all of our lives here at Livegistics. Everyone who is part of this process will leave better off than they came. When 2022’s competition is over, don’t let money be the only thing you walk away with.
– Justin Turk, CEO of Livegistics
Black Ambition empowers underrepresented innovators and communities to excel uninterrupted.
Founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, Black Ambition empowers underrepresented innovators and communities to excel, uninterrupted. To date, Black Ambition has awarded approximately $13M to 131 innovative entrepreneurs. Black Ambition network founders have gone on to raise more than $280M collectively.
This endeavor has been recognized by Forbes, Essence, Complex and many more for driving meaningful change. It also was the winner of Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas award for Impact Investing.