The rise of support for HBCU communities is in overdrive this year.
Nex Cubed — a leader in early-stage innovation and startup acceleration — has successfully launched a first-of-its-kind venture that is helping HBCU students and recent alumni develop business mindsets.
Last year, the company created its HBCU Founder’s Program in an effort to provide those students and alumni access to the financial and advisory resources needed to help them develop technology-based enterprises, a press release shares.
According to Nex Cubed, the objective for the inaugural program aims to offer support for these individuals in several key areas, including financial services, education, digital health, and real estate — all identified as key social determinants that are in dire need of systemic reform with the help of technology.
Since the start of its program, Nex Cubed has been able to work with over 350 students across 50 HBCUs while leading weekly programming since September 2020.
This programming has exposed them to the innovative landscape across FinTech, EdTech, Digital Health, and PropTech through webinars and virtual sessions led by corporate executives, successful entrepreneurs, and top-tier investors.
Additionally, following each online session attendees are assigned an experienced advisor to help them tweak their business plans and investor presentations.
At the conclusion of their learning journey, students/alumni with the most innovative business concepts are invited to participate in the Nex Cubed HBCU Founder’s Summer Acceleration Program in Silicon Valley.
Selected participants will receive $10,000 and a physical working space in Silicon Valley, where they will receive mentorship, technical resources, and access to investors as well as over $1 million worth of service provider perks and discounts.
Applications for the Summer Acceleration Program close on Feb 1, 2021.
Nex Cubed’s HBCU Founder’s Program was created as part of the company’s larger innovation umbrella platform that invests in, accelerates, and scales top-tier tech companies.
So far several corporations have volunteered themselves to support the program’s cause, including Morgan Stanley and Cooley, as well as community partners such as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, HBCU Nation, NAF, Next Gen HQ, and many more.
Nex Cubed also recently announced a collaboration with AT&T to support Black tech development and entrepreneurship through its HBCU Founder’s Program.
For more information about the HBCU Founder’s Program, click here.
