Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic — a college basketball showcase — is bringing Historically Black College and University (HBCU) culture to television screens across the nation.
Airing on Dec. 18, the TNT broadcast will feature a doubleheader competition of Hampton University versus North Carolina Central University and Howard University versus North Carolina A&T University.
The inaugural Legacy Classic is set to bring viewers into a full-blown HBCU experience, and now, the event is also creating opportunities for current HBCU students and alumni.
According to a press release provided exclusively to AfroTech, the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic has partnered with MaC Venture Capital and Serena Ventures — tennis legend Serena Williams’ investment firm — to create a Startup Pitch Competition for HBCU founders.
“At MaC we like to say that talent is ubiquitous but access to opportunity is not,” MaC Venture Capital General Partner Michael Palank said in an official statement shared with AfroTech. “Two of our partners are HBCU alumni and we could not be more excited to uncover and support the amazing entrepreneurial talent we know is thriving at these universities.”
Starting Oct. 18, participants will be able to submit investor decks and business proposals through Nov. 18 for the chance to be awarded up to $1 million in structured safe investments from both firms. During the halftime of the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic Basketball Showcase Finals, the winning founders will be awarded by Jordan and Williams.
“HBCUs are an integral part of our educational ecosystem and have long been centers of entrepreneurial excellence,” Serena Ventures General Partner Alison Stillman, CFA said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Michael B. Jordan and MaC ventures on highlighting the brilliant student and alumni founders.”
Invesco, Thirty Five Ventures, Harlem Capital and Cake Ventures will serve as the competition’s Advisors.
Executives from MaC Ventures, Serena Ventures, Invesco, Thirty Five Ventures, Harlem Capital Partners and Cake Ventures will all continue to advise the winning founders after the competition to ensure longtime success.
The inaugural Legacy Classic will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Tickets for the HBCU basketball showdown can be purchased via Prucenter, Ticketmaster and Prudential Center’s Box Office.
Partial proceeds from the event will go toward organizations with the mission to advance HBCUs, as well as the local Newark community.
To apply for the Startup Pitch Competition, click here.
