Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program

The applications for the second cohort of Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program 2022 are now open. Selected entrepreneurs will participate in a virtual enterprise and leadership training program from October 2022 – January 2023, leading up to a live, in-person pitch session at Santa Clara University. The time commitment will be about 16 hours per month, including bimonthly training sessions of 8-12 hours and 2-4 hours of mentorship sessions and network-building. The application deadline is August 28, 2022.

About Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) Program

The Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) is an enterprise accelerator programme designed to strengthen, energize, and support startups and small businesses led by Black entrepreneurs in the United States.

ABLE identifies Black business leaders with impact-oriented solutions at the local and national level across multiple sectors. 16 entrepreneurs graduated in the inaugural year of the program in February 2022.

Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program Goals

The program seeks to provide the following:

• a platform for the development of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses in the U.S.
• mentoring and networking to learn from industry leaders and open the doors to potential partnerships and funding opportunities.
• a voice and forum for the recognition of Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses in the U.S.
• promote business networking ties between U.S. Black entrepreneurs and African entrepreneurs.

Benefits of ABLE Program

Below are the benefits to participants

• The top 10 nominees will receive a fully paid entrepreneurship and leadership training programme complemented by mentorship and network-building forums.
• In addition, the top 10 will participate in a pitch session and graduation with leading Silicon Valley investors, venture philanthropists, and impact investors among others.
• Participants will receive a modest stipend as a financial award upon completion of the programme..

Eligibility Requirements for ABLE Program

Below are the eligibility requirements

• Open to Founder or executive of a scalable, for-profit startup;
• Company must be led or co-led by Black entrepreneurs;
• The company is early-stage and revenue-generating (seed to Series A);
• Enterprise must be headquartered in the United States;
• Must be an established legal entity already in operation for 6 months or more.

How to Apply for ABLE Program

For  more information about the program, visit the ABLE program website.