When Black Ambition launched the Fundable Founders Learning Lab in May 2025, through a powerful partnership with Codner & Co. and ACT House, our mission was clear: to equip underestimated Florida-based founders with the strategy, resources, and community needed to turn bold ideas into fundable, scalable ventures.

Ten weeks later, the results speak for themselves, and more importantly, so do the founders.

From the first live session to the final peer-to-peer celebration, the Fundable Founders Learning Lab wasn’t just about learning; it was about implementing in real time. Founders across consumer products, technology, media, creative industries, healthcare, and AI came together in a powerful digital ecosystem that blended hands-on training, fireside conversations, and an active online community buzzing with thousands of weekly exchanges.

They showed up. They applied what they learned. And they left with momentum. Jabari Garibaldi, founder of Imala Academy, was awarded the $10K Community Ambassador Prize.  

A Cohort That Moved the Needle

Over 380 founders from across Florida joined the Fundable Founders Learning Lab, each bringing a unique vision and determination. Together they:

• Logged 500+ wins during the program, from securing funding to launching products to hiring new team members.
• Raised $274,000 in reported capital, with individual wins ranging from micro-grants to $100K awards.
• Created 51 new jobs in just 10 weeks.
• Delivered an 87% of the participants ranked the program a perfect 5/5.

For some, it meant securing their very first investor deal. For others, it meant hitting revenue milestones that once felt years away.

“The pitch deck template completely changed our approach… I’ve started asking for capital with confidence, setting clear giving days, and structuring our outreach with focus. This program gave me the tools, the belief, and the community to take Imala Academy from hoping to scaling.” – Jabari Garibaldi, Imala Academy

Real Tools for Real Growth

One of the Lab’s defining features? It’s an unapologetic focus on real-world, usable tools, particularly AI-powered ones, delivered by facilitators Gamal Codner and Dominic Ard’is.

Founders left each week with not just inspiration, but frameworks they could plug directly into their businesses. Pricing strategies were refined. Marketing workflows were automated. Customer messaging got sharper. AI became less of a mystery and more of a daily business ally.

“Each Tuesday, I left with a checklist of what to implement. By Thursday’s Q&A, I already had results to share.” – Program Participant

Behind the Scenes: A Community That Cared

While the curriculum was robust, it was the human touch that kept founders engaged and supported from day one. Program managers Folasade Akande and Marlena Parks made sure every founder knew they were seen and valued from timely reminders to staying late on calls to answer lingering questions.

That operational care translated into a 91% mid-program implementation rate, proof that clarity and support drive action.

Notable Wins Include:

• $100K grant awarded to Kourtney Moore, The Missing Piece App
• Stephanie Sylvestre, Avatar Buddy, reached $1M+ run rate and hired a sales team
• Shamiyon Jett, OViiE AI, accepted into the NVIDIA Inception Program
• JoePatrick Mputu, JP & J Investments closed their first formal investor deal

The Ripple Effect

The impact of the Fundable Founders Learning Lab extends far beyond the 10-week timeline. Founders are walking away with sharper pitches, scalable systems, and perhaps most importantly, a network of peers and mentors invested in their success.

This year’s cohort filled quickly, 661 applications for just 380 spots, underscoring a powerful signal: Florida’s entrepreneurs are not only ready, they’re eager for the kind of targeted, high-impact support that bridges the gap between bold vision and real investment.

As we close the chapter on this year’s Lab, we’re not slowing down. The wins we’ve seen are just the beginning. Future cohorts will build on this momentum with deeper industry-specific tracks, expanded alumni resources, and continued integration of cutting-edge business tools.

Because when underrepresented founders have access to the right strategy, community, and belief, they don’t just dream, they execute. And as this year’s Lab proved, execution changes everything.

Congratulations to all of our Fundable Founders throughout the state of Florida!