Black Girl Ventures is making sure the futures of the next generation of entrepreneurs are in good hands.

According to our sister site, Blavity News, 25 students will have an opportunity to advance their business plans with support from BGV and the National Basketball Association (NBA) through the launch of the BGV NextGen Program.

“We are excited to announce that @blackgirlventures will be partnering with the @nba to launch BGV NextGen,” Shelly Bell said in a tweet in August 2021. 

 

The eight-week curriculum will provide Black and brown women-identifying undergraduate and graduate students between ages 18 to 24 access to capital, capacity, and community, the company’s website states. Students must be at the ideation stage or have a product. The resources provided will be an effort to close the wealth gap and create solutions to financially equip minority founders.

“Our vision is to democratize entrepreneurship for the NextGeneration of business leaders. This will help change the playing field for Black and Brown women-identifying founders while closing the generational wealth gap, strengthening families, and creating a more equitable society,” the website reads.

The Program Will Strengthen Minority Business

All students will receive a $5,000 stipend, mentorship, premier entrepreneurial education, and have a chance to build management and business development skills, among others. The curated program will prepare students for a demo day to show off their business prowess.

Next, the top seven Historically Black College and Unversity (HBCU) students will participate in a BGV Pitch Competition where they will have the opportunity to receive additional capital. In addition to funding, founders will have Supplier Diversity opportunities created to provide more exposure for their business.

“Our mission is to develop the entrepreneurial mindset of HBCU students via access to capital, training, mentoring, and new networks. Through our multi-pronged efforts, we will help prepare students for a highly competitive workforce as well as providing experiences design to elevate entrepreneurship as a practical avenue for employing themselves and others,” according to the official company website.

The chosen founders will enjoy additional benefits such as a lifetime membership to the BGV Connect platform and access to BGV’s growing partner network and capital investors.

How To Apply

The deadline to apply is Feb. 4, and chosen participants will be selected by Feb. 16.

To apply, click here.