Hello There!

Europe’s startup ecosystem is thriving, and Black entrepreneurs are at the forefront of this innovation. Despite challenges and obstacles, these trailblazers are building successful startups, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. 

From tech to beauty, to govtech and sustainability, these entrepreneurs are pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and inspiring a new generation of founders.

Let’s dive in.

Top Stories 📰

Story 1: These 10 exciting European Black startup founders are making a significant impact in their respective industries.

Story 2: Online Streamer Kai Cenat confirms $5 million Nigeria school project.

Story 3: Accion Ventures closes $61.6M to support startups tackling financial inclusivity.

Hot News 🔥

1. Best U.S. cities for Hispanic entrepreneurs in 2025.

2. Amazon hosts inaugural Future Innovators Summit in Atlanta.

3. Gilbert Family Foundation announces $4 million to support Detroit Business Owners.

4. Paris-based Koolboks secures $11 million for solar cold storage in Africa.

5. Morgan State University receives $1.75 million grant to build its medical school.

   Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events.💼 

   Accelerators 🚀

1. Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Batch funding cycle, which will occur from October to November in San Francisco.

2. Techstars Accelerator provides funding, mentorship, hands-on training, and access to Techstars' global network of VC investors, corporate partners, and alumni founders.

3. The Propellant Labs is a startup accelerator offering different programs to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses.

4. Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® invests in up to ten companies per year (two cohorts of five) focused on fintech, insuretech, digital health, and data analytics.

5. Peachscore + Dealum hosts 12 cohorts annually, offering startup founders the flexibility to join immediately upon acceptance and receive up to $150k, regardless of when they apply.

6. The Alchemist Accelerator is a venture-backed initiative focused on accelerating the development of early-stage ventures that monetize from enterprises.

7. The two-year Activate Fellowship provides early-stage science entrepreneurs with funding, technical resources, and unparalleled support from a network of scientists, engineers, investors, commercial partners, and fellow entrepreneurs. 

8. Forum Ventures' accelerator helps SaaS and AI startups grow with pre-seed funding, mentorship, and expert guidance.

Grants💰

• $150K Investment | The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation aims to identify social entrepreneurs with dynamic ideas and nurture them in their early stages with maximum leverage and total commitment. 🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

• $155K | The Da Vinci Fellowship gives an equity-free grant of €150 000 per fellow to young, contrarian Europeans.🗓️ Application on a rolling basis

• $100K | The Thiel Fellowship is a two-year program for young people who want to build new things. Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and support from the Thiel Foundation’s network of founders, investors, and scientists.🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

• $50K | Apply now for the AT&T Small Business Contest for a chance to win $50,000 and the support of a growing community of over 20 athletes and entrepreneurs!

  🗓️ Apply by 9/30

• $25K | The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant aims to empower Black entrepreneurs and businesses through funding and resources.📅 Apply by November 1, 2025

• Up to $15K | The Catalyst Fund by The Roddenberry Foundation makes grants between $2.5k - $15k to anyone with an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges 🗓️ Apply on a rolling basis:

• Up to $10K | Each qualifying nonprofit has access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on Google.com. Additional Google Ads may be purchased in a separate account. 

  🗓️ Apply on a rolling basis

• Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Batch funding cycle, which will occur from October to November in San Francisco.

• Techstars Accelerator provides funding, mentorship, hands-on training, and access to Techstars' global network of VC investors, corporate partners, and alumni founders.

• The Propellant Labs is a startup accelerator offering different programs to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses.

• Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® invests in up to ten companies per year (two cohorts of five) focused on fintech, insuretech, digital health, and data analytics.

• Peachscore + Dealum hosts 12 cohorts annually, offering startup founders the flexibility to join immediately upon acceptance and receive up to $150k, regardless of when they apply.

Events🎟️

A major gathering for HR + tech professionals. Expect sessions & expos on how technology is changing HR, tools & platforms, discussions around AI in HR, people & culture topics, and special summits like Women in HR Tech. Lots of networking, vendor demos & new innovations in workforce tech.

Date: September 16-18, 2025

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

As an unconference, Tech Week is participant-driven. That means that the events, discussions, demos, and showcases are led by the people who live and work in the community. This is your chance to mingle with like-minded people from our region and across the country face-to-face, to exchange ideas, network, pick up new information and ultimately help move the conversation forward.

Date: September 15-20, 2025

Location: Michigan, USA

A one-day conference focused on belonging in the workplace & community. Includes panels and chats about inclusion, identity, and creating environments where people don’t just “fit in” but feel they belong. Useful for DE&I professionals, business leaders, HR, and people interested in culture and belonging

Date: September 17, 2025

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Thank you for joining us in this edition of Geekz Insider. We hope that our shared stories and opportunities will ignite your career goals and entrepreneurial spirit, fueling your drive to innovate. From dynamic founders to transformative AI programs and life-changing grants, there’s something here to inspire everyone.

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Written by Stephen Oluwadara and produced by Gugu Nxumalo