Happy Thursday!

We had a heart-to-heart interview with Disney’s most prolific inventor. He shared valuable insights into the importance of persistence, innovation, and the power of diversity in shaping the future of technology.

Dive into today's stories to learn more

Top Stories 📰

Story 1: Lanny Smoot, a National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee and visionary Disney Imagineer with over 100 patents, had an exclusive interview with UrbanGeekz.com.

Story 2: Carver Bancorp, one of the nation’s largest Black-owned banks, has appointed a new President and CEO, effective November 1, 2024.

Story 3 Social publishing platform AMAKA Studio has raised $2 million in seed funding to empower Black and African creators globally.

Story 4: Meet the Four Black Billionaires on the Forbes List of 400 Richest Americans

Hot News 🔥

1. These Black founders were beneficiaries of Google.org’s $25M AI Opportunity fund.

2. Y Combinator-backed startup, which helps non-technical users to automate workflows, has raised $2.2M

3. Robert F. Smith’s Vista Equity Partners has signed off another lucrative multi-billion-dollar deal.

Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events, and Jobs💼 

Accelerators 🚀

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

2. FoundersBoost, a global pre-accelerator program, is an equity-free opportunity to take your business to the next level. 

3. Antler program backs the world’s most driven founders, from day zero to greatness.

4. Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator: WCBA provides first-time founders with a six-month program of personalized entrepreneurial education in Westchester.

 Grants💰

1. $500-$2K | Wish is allocating grants and financial support to Black-owned small businesses to help promote equality and diversity in American business. 🗓️ Apply now

2. $5000-$10,000 | The Black Founder Startup Grant program provides grants of up to $10,000 to Black and multiracial women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.

   🗓️ Apply now

3. $25K | Gucci’s Changemakers Impact Fund will grant up to $1M to 12 community-based 501(c)(3) organizations in select change makers cities through 2024. 🗓️ Apply here: by 9/30

4. Up to $100k | The Levine Impact Lab is geared towards community-based nonprofit organizations focused on the environment, sustainability, climate resiliency, and education. 🗓️ Apply by 10/18

5. $10K | Amber Grants allows women founders to receive $10K in grants to fund their businesses.  🗓️ Apply here: by 9/30

6. Up to $10K | The Mama Ladder has opened applications for its High Five Grant for Moms program, which provides resources to mom-owned companies.

   🗓️ Apply here: by 9/30

7. $50K | The Veteran Shark Tank hosts a national pitch competition for veteran entrepreneurs. Five finalists will pitch their idea for the chance to win a $50k cash prize.🗓️ Apply here: by 10/6

Events🎟️

Disrupt is where you’ll find innovation for every stage of your startup journey. Whether you’re a budding founder with a revolutionary idea, a seasoned startup looking to scale, or an investor seeking the next big thing, Disrupt offers unparalleled resources, connections, and expert insights to propel your venture forward.

Date: October 28 - 30, 2024

Location: San Francisco

Did y’all get the chance to learn about the brilliant honorees on our inaugural UrbanGeekz 50 List? Well, if you haven't, check out the article here. The must-read listicle showcases trailblazing disruptors making waves in the innovation economy.

As we’re counting down to our second annual UrbanGeekz 50 list for 2024, we invite you to consider sponsoring the list. For more inquiries, kindly send an email to [email protected] with ‘UrbanGeekz 50’ in the subject box.

THRIVE is a tech conference for connecting, learning, and advancing in your tech career. It's designed to foster connections, facilitate learning, and promote personal development for all in the tech community, with a special focus on the Black male experience.

Date: October 10 - 13, 2024

Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Thank you for joining us in this edition of Geekz Insider. We hope our shared stories and opportunities ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and fuel your drive to innovate. From dynamic founders to transformative AI programs and life-changing grants, something here inspires everyone.

Enjoy our newsletter? Share it with your networks so they can sign up here to stay informed on the latest in tech, business, and innovation. 

If you're interested in sponsoring our newsletter, Geekz Insider. Until next time, keep hustling and making those geeky dreams come true!

Written by Stephen Oluwadara