Startup Accelerator

Your Venture Cultivated

CFBI is seeking talented Black Founders to join our Second Cohort!

Application deadline:
October 6, 2023

Program Start:
October 20, 2023

We guide entrepreneurs through pathways to capital

The VCIR Accelerator is a program meant to level up the founders who have ventures they are passionate about. Before founders are ready to have capital conversations, their business must learn how to operate pre-capital.

Acquire your Digital Real Estate

We help our ventures create or improve websites that help promote and/or sell their products or services.

Expand your Market Strategy

Ventures who complete this program will walk out with a go to market strategy specific to their audience and a comprehensive digital marketing plan to make sure their audience feels their presence.

Go beyond a Pitch Deck

Pitching is only one part of the equation, we make sure you learn how to build relationships with investors.

Build a Business Foundation

A business plan is no longer enough to set a business up for success. Entrepreneurs must learn how to integrate data and technology to leverage more growth.

Program Schedule

Our program is broken into 8 weeks that focus on preparing you not only for VC funding but maximizing cusomter revenue so you can keep you make.

FAQ

Below is a list of frequently asked questions

How many hours do I need to commit?

Our accelerator program features a self-paced online course; weekly masterminds and mentor sessions. Programming will be up to 15 hours per week.

Are there any pre-requisites that must be completed before participation?

Participants in the accelerator must have a registered business. The majority shareholders of that venture must be black entrepreneurs

Do you only work with tech companies?

No! We hope to welcome founders from a wide range of industries to join our program.

Can a solo-founder apply?

Yes!

Do I need to give equity?

The Center for Black Innovation does not take equity nor provide funding for startups that participate in our pre-acelerator program.

Is this program completely virtual?

Yes. All programming will be facilitated virtually.

How do you choose ventures to accept?

Applicants are chosen based on the following criteria: quality of team, actual or potential impact, growth potential and alignment to the accelerator.

When will I hear back about my application?

All decisions will be sent by April 5, 2021. If you have questions about your application, feel free to reach out to us at info@cfbi.org

Grow with your Tribe

Build your business and connect with capital amongst a community of founders.